---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In essence I'm really a very traditional…"
description: "\"In essence I'm really a very traditional writer. I subscribe to the notion that, ultimately, characters do drive everything else.\" — Steve Erickson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/901/steve-erickson-9119_character_in-essence-i-m-really-a-very-traditional_2001555.png"
---

#  In essence I'm really a very traditional writer. I…

![“In essence I'm really a very traditional writer. I subscribe to the notion that, ultimately, characters do drive everything else.” quote by Steve Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/901/steve-erickson-9119_character_in-essence-i-m-really-a-very-traditional_2001555.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/901/steve-erickson-9119_character_in-essence-i-m-really-a-very-traditional_2001555.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/901/steve-erickson-9119_character_in-essence-i-m-really-a-very-traditional_2001555.png)

> “In essence I'm really a very traditional writer. I subscribe to the notion that, ultimately, characters do drive everything else.”

[Steve Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-erickson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The writer believes characters are the engine of narrative, shaping plot and theme.

**In simple terms:** Characters drive the story.

Key Takeaway

Focus on strong character development.

Themes

writing character storytelling creative process

Mood

reflective optimistic

Type

analytical inspirational

When to use this quote

- novel writing
- screenwriting
- creative workshops

Key Concepts

character agency narrative structure

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you ensure characters remain authentic?
- What techniques keep character motivations clear?

A Different Perspective

Characters alone cannot carry a weak plot.

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[Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Characters Drive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-drive-240567/) [Essence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essence/) [Notion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/notion/) [Really Traditional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really-traditional-2168840/) [Traditional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traditional/) [Traditional Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traditional-writer-3523862/) [Ultimately Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimately-characters-522372/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

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