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If you write fiction, you have to love your characters. It's like your family. You don't have to like them, but you have to love them.
Douglas Coupland
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Writers must develop a deep emotional connection to their characters, viewing them as family, regardless of personal preferences.

This quote emphasizes the emotional investment that authors must make in their characters when writing fiction. Douglas Coupland suggests that, akin to the complex relationships we have with family members, writers should cultivate love for their characters, even if they don’t necessarily 'like' them. This emotional connection is crucial for creating believable and engaging narratives that resonate with readers.

Themes

FictionCharactersWritingLoveFamily

In practice

Example use cases

In a writing workshop, to emphasize the importance of character development.

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