Blue Quote by Stephen King
“I’m not particularly keen on writing which exhaustively describes the physical characteristics of the people in the story and what they’re wearing… I can always get a J. Crew catalogue… …So spare me, if you please, the hero’s ‘sharply intelligent blue eyes’ and ‘outthrust determined chin’.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Stephen King on Writing, 2015
The author criticizes overly detailed physical descriptions, urging writers to focus on story rather than exhaustive visual detail.
In simple terms: Avoid unnecessary description.
Prioritize narrative over visual minutiae.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- screenplay development
- editing
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How much detail is enough for character clarity?
- When does description enhance vs. hinder narrative?
Excessive brevity may leave readers unclear about key visual cues.