I never work just to work. It's some combination of laziness and self-respect.
Harold RamisRead
My only conclusion about structure is that nothing works if you don't have interesting characters and a good story to tell.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A good narrative relies on engaging characters and storytelling.
Harold Ramis emphasizes the importance of compelling characters and a well-crafted story in creating a successful structure, suggesting that without these elements, any framework or methodology for storytelling will ultimately fall flat. This insight highlights how the essence of a story is rooted in the people within it and the narrative they inhabit.
Themes
StorytellingCharactersNarrativeStructureCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a creative writing workshop to emphasize the importance of character development.
More from Harold Ramis
All quotes βA psychologist said to me, there are only two important questions you have to ask yourself. What do you really feel? And, what do you really want? If you can answer those two, you probably can leave your neuroses behind you.
Harold RamisRead
It seems that, culturally, young people function more in groups. They know each other through digital media. All the young comedy people who work in TV are really used to working at the table with lots of writers around. They're comfortable in the group; they don't assert their own egos over everyone else.
Harold RamisRead
My characters aren't losers. They're rebels. They win by their refusal to play by everyone else's rules.
Harold RamisRead
Find the most talented person in the room and if it's not you, go stand next to him. Hang out with him. try to be helpful.
Harold RamisRead
Similar quotes
Jazz stands for freedom. It's supposed to be the voice of freedom: Get out there and improvise, and take chances, and don't be a perfectionist - leave that to the classical musicians.
Dave BrubeckRead
It is a sad truth, but we have lost the faculty of giving lovely names to things.
Oscar WildeRead
The heaventree of stars hung with humid nightblue fruit.
James JoyceRead
Trust me, there's not one night a week I'm not in a theater somewhere. I adore theater, and I go out with friends, so I do have some nights off.
Joan RiversRead
If it can affect me, if it has meaning to me, if I feel I can do it well, I will do it and record it and thats why I recorded these songs.
Neil DiamondRead
Gardening is how I relax. It's another form of creating and playing with colors.
Oscar De La RentaRead