Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.
John SteinbeckRead
If there is a magic in story writing, and I am convinced that there is, no one has ever been able to reduce it to a recipe that can be passed from one person to another. The formula seems to lie solely in the aching urge of the writer to convey something he feels important to the reader. If the writer has that urge, he may sometimes but by no means always find the way to do it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Story writing is a unique and personal art form that cannot be easily replicated or taught through strict guidelines.
In this quote, John Steinbeck emphasizes the intrinsic magic of storytelling, suggesting that while many may try to formalize the craft through rules or recipes, the true essence lies in the writer's deep desire to communicate something meaningful to the reader. This passion is what drives the creative process, and though it may sometimes lead to success in conveying that importance, it does not guarantee mastery or consistency.
Themes
StorytellingWritingCreativityMagicExpression
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a writing workshop to inspire attendees about the emotional aspects of storytelling.
More from John Steinbeck
All quotes βAt one point, as Samuel urges Adam to raise his boys well regardless of the blood that might be in them, Adam tells him, "You can't make a race horse of a pig." Samuel replies, "No, but you can make a very fast pig.
John SteinbeckRead
And when that crop grew, and was harvested, no man had crumbled a hot clod in his fingers and let the earth sift past his fingertips. No man had touched the seed, or lusted for the growth. Men ate what they had not raised, had no connection with the bread. The land bore under iron, and under iron gradually died; for it was not loved or hated, it had no prayers or curses.
John SteinbeckRead
The comfortable people in tight houses felt pity at first, and then distaste, and finally hatred for the migrant people.
John SteinbeckRead
People do not want advice - they want corroboration.
John SteinbeckRead
It is one of the triumphs of the human that he can know a thing and still not believe it.
John SteinbeckRead
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I think the more the listener can contribute to the song, the better; the more they become part of the song, and they fill in the blanks. Rather than tell them everything, you save your details for things that exist. Like what color the ashtray is. How far away the doorway was. So when you're talking about intangible things like emotions, the listener can fill in the blanks and you just draw the foundation.
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If I'm honest I have to tell you I still read fairy-tales and I like them best of all.
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