Accomplices Quote by Steve Almond
“All readers come to fiction as willing accomplices to your lies. Such is the basic goodwill contract made the moment we pick up a work of fiction.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Fiction, 2013
Readers willingly suspend disbelief, entering a pact where the author’s lies become a shared experience.
In simple terms: Readers accept fictional lies.
Key Takeaway
Value the collaborative nature of storytelling.
Themes
storytelling
trust
imagination
collaboration
Mood
thoughtful
engaging
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- creative writing workshops
- film viewings
- role‑play sessions
Key Concepts
narrative theory
psychology of reading
ethics of fiction
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you negotiate trust with an author?
- What responsibilities do writers have to readers?
A Different Perspective
Readers may feel manipulated if the story betrays expectations.
