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Writers end up writing stories-or rather, stories' shadows-and they're grateful if they can, but it is not enough. Nothing the writer can do is ever enough
Joy Williams
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Writers create narratives that often feel incomplete, and they struggle with the dissatisfaction of never fully capturing their intentions.

This quote by Joy Williams expresses the profound sense of inadequacy that writers often experience. Despite their efforts to bring stories to life, they often feel that what they produce falls short of their vision. The phrase 'stories' shadows' suggests that the tales told are merely reflections or echoes of the deeper narratives the writers wish to convey, highlighting a continual pursuit of fulfillment in their craft that often remains elusive.

Themes

WritingStoriesCreativityInadequacyExpression

In practice

Example use cases

A writer could use this quote in a workshop to discuss the struggles of the creative process.

More from Joy Williams

What a story is, is devious. It pretends transparency, forthrightness. It engages with ordinary people, ordinary matters, recognizable stuff. But this is all a masquerade. What good stories deal with is the horror and incomprehensibility of time, the dark encroachment of old catastrophes...
Joy WilliamsRead
Good writing never soothes or comforts. It is no prescription, neither is it diversionary, although it can and should enchant while it explodes in the reader's face.
Joy WilliamsRead

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