I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. But I'm one of the world's great rewriters.
James A. MichenerRead
Whenever I start a book, I swear it's going to be a short one. But then it's, 'Who was his grandfather? And how did he get there in the first place? And what kind of animals is he chasing?'
Interpretation
What this quote means
Books often take unexpected turns, leading readers into complex narratives that expand beyond initial expectations.
James A. Michener humorously reflects on the tendency of books to evolve into more intricate stories than anticipated. What begins as a simple reading experience can unfold into a rich exploration of characters, settings, and plot twists, showcasing the depth and intricacy of storytelling that captivates readers.
Themes
BooksStorytellingNarrativeReadingComplexity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote would fit perfectly in a discussion about the unpredictable nature of literature at a book club.
More from James A. Michener
All quotes →Rampaging horsemen can conquer; only the city can civilize.
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I think the crucial thing in the writing career is to find what you want to do and how you fit in. What somebody else does is of no concern whatever except as an interesting variation.
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If a man happens to find himself, he has a mansion which he can inhabit with dignity all the days of his life.
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I was brought up in the great tradition of the late nineteenth century: that a writer never complains, never explains and never disdains.
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The permanent temptation of life is to confuse dreams with reality. The permanent defeat of life comes when dreams are surrendered to reality.
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