Writing for children is bloody difficult; books for children are as complex as their adult counterparts, and they should therefore be accorded the same respect.
Mark HaddonRead
The one thing you have to do if you write a book is put yourself in someone else's shoes. The reader's shoes. You've got to entertain them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding the reader's perspective is crucial when writing a book.
Mark Haddon emphasizes the importance of empathy in writing, suggesting that a successful author must immerse themselves in the reader's experience. By 'putting yourself in someone else's shoes,' writers can create engaging and relatable content that truly resonates with their audience, ensuring that the reader finds enjoyment and connection in the narrative.
Themes
WritingEmpathyReaderEntertainmentNarrative
In practice
Example use cases
A writing workshop where participants discuss the importance of considering the audience.
More from Mark Haddon
All quotes →As to the number of novels I've abandoned... I shudder to think. I have thrown away five completed novels, and that's a gruesome enough figure. But not necessarily a waste of effort.
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At twenty life was like wrestling an octopus. Every moment mattered. At thirty it was a walk in the country. Most of the time your mind was somewhere else. By the time you got to seventy, it was probably like watching snooker on the telly.
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And Father said, "Christopher, do you understand that I love you?" And I said "Yes," because loving someone is helping them when they get into trouble, and looking after them, and telling them the truth, and Father looks after me when I get into trouble, like coming to the police station, and he looks after me by cooking meals for me, and he always tells me the truth, which means that he loves me.
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From a good book, I want to be taken to the very edge. I want a glimpse into that outer darkness.
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And I know I can do this because I went to London on my own, and because I solved the mystery…and I was brave and I wrote a book and that means I can do anything.
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