Able Quote by Sloane Crosley
“Okay, this is Fran Lebowitz. She gave an interview once for the Paris Review about trying to write fiction and saying that fiction writers start talking about how characters are talking to them, and it's crazy, she's never had that. And I also thought, I'm never gonna be able to do this, because I didn't feel that for a really long time.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, 2005
She expresses skepticism about the mystical notion that writers hear characters speak, noting her own lack of that experience.
In simple terms: Writers often imagine characters speaking to them, but she never did.
Key Takeaway
Accept that creativity can be practical, not mystical.
Themes
creativity
writing
self‑doubt
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- first drafts
- creative blocks
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
authorial voice
imagination
process
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you need a "voice" from characters to write?
- How can you cultivate ideas without hearing them?
A Different Perspective
Some writers find character dialogue intuitive, which may not apply to everyone.
