Remember Quote by Scott Snyder
“I remember when I was in school I had this teacher give me this E.L. Doctorow quote: They asked him how much historical research he does for his books and he said, 'As little as possible.' So I try and adhere to that.”
About This Quote
The author advises minimal historical research to prioritize imagination, suggesting creative freedom over factual constraint.
In simple terms: Use imagination over exhaustive research.
Prioritize story over facts.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- teaching
- historical fiction
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When should research dominate creativity?
- How does restraint shape narrative?
Too little research can lead to inaccuracy.