Bits Quote by Steve Erickson
“To me experimental fiction ultimately is about the experiment and I'm not interested in experiments for their own sake, and if anything I've always steered a bit clear of that kind of thing, because it seems gimmicky to play around with text rather than do the work of telling a story and creating characters.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of Experimental Fiction, 2015
Experimental fiction should serve story and character, not exist as a gimmick; the craft must prioritize narrative depth.
In simple terms: Story matters more than experimental tricks.
Prioritize narrative over novelty.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- literary criticism
- publishing decisions
- teaching literature
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When does experimentation enhance a story?
- How to balance innovation with readability?
Experiments can distract from emotional truth.