When people ask what I write about, that's what I tell them: 'The drama of human relationships.' I'm not even close to running out of material.
Joyce MaynardRead
I wonder what it is that the people who criticize me for telling this story truly object to: is it that I have dared to tell the story? Or that the story turns out not to be the one they wanted to hear?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the discomfort caused by challenging narratives and the reactions of critics.
Joyce Maynard's quote delves into the complex relationship between storytelling and audience expectations. It highlights how criticism can stem from storytelling that contradicts what some individuals wish to hear, prompting reflection on the nature of truth in narratives and the resistance against perspectives that diverge from one's own beliefs or desires.
Themes
CriticismStorytellingTruthNarrativeExpectations
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the importance of diverse narratives in literature.
More from Joyce Maynard
All quotes →I believe every one of us possesses a fundamental right to tell our own story.
Joyce MaynardRead
Those who rhapsodize about the ease and joy of childhood have perhaps forgotten what it's like to be 12 years old.
Joyce MaynardRead
As for me, I've chosen to follow a simple course: Come clean. And wherever possible, live your life in a way that won't leave you tempted to lie. Failing that, I'd rather be disliked for who I truly am than loved for who I am not. So, I tell my story. I write it down. I even publish it. Sometimes this is a humbling experience. Sometimes it's embarrassing. But I haul around no terrible secrets.
Joyce MaynardRead
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