Art making Quote by William Gibson
“Part of the core of my system, is a way of trying to give the characters more control. If I'm practicing making up what the characters will do, it's never good. In fact, when I catch myself doing that, I try to get rid of that section, and try and let them start making the decisions.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing Narrative Techniques, William Gibson, 2020
The quote emphasizes giving fictional characters agency rather than authorial control, urging writers to let characters drive the story.
In simple terms: Let characters decide actions instead of the author.
Key Takeaway
Allow characters to guide the plot.
Themes
creativity
agency
storytelling
character development
authorial control
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- novel drafting
- scriptwriting
- role‑playing games
- improvisational theater
Key Concepts
narrative agency
character autonomy
creative process
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you recognize when you’re imposing decisions?
- What techniques help characters emerge authentically?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on authorial control can stifle organic story growth.
