--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Many great writers have been…" description: "\"Many great writers have been extraordinarily awkward in daily exchange, but the greatest give the impression that their style was nursed by the closest..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/489/thornton-wilder-1495_attention_many-great-writers-have-been-extraordina_73669.jpg" --- # Many great writers have been extraordinarily awkward in… ![“Many great writers have been extraordinarily awkward in daily exchange, but the greatest give the impression that their style was nursed by the closest attention to colloquial speech.” quote by Thornton Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/489/thornton-wilder-1495_attention_many-great-writers-have-been-extraordina_73669.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/489/thornton-wilder-1495_attention_many-great-writers-have-been-extraordina_73669.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/489/thornton-wilder-1495_attention_many-great-writers-have-been-extraordina_73669.jpg) > “Many great writers have been extraordinarily awkward in daily exchange, but the greatest give the impression that their style was nursed by the closest attention to colloquial speech.” [Thornton Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thornton-wilder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Great writers often seem socially clumsy, yet their prose feels natural because they meticulously study everyday language. **In simple terms:** Skillful writing mimics ordinary speech. Key Takeaway Observe daily speech to craft authentic prose. Themes authenticity observation communication craftsmanship literary style Mood reflective analytical Type observational advice When to use this quote - writing workshops - editing drafts - teaching creative writing - language research - speech coaching Key Concepts colloquial speech authorial voice social awkwardness Practical Applications - improving narrative realism - enhancing dialogue in scripts Questions to Reflect On - How does listening to real conversations improve your writing? - What aspects of everyday speech can be refined for literary effect? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Great writers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-writers/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [When my works are being translated, I always get this question from my translators: Up or down? 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