QuoteProject
Conflict and character are the heart of good fiction, and good mystery has both of those in spades.
Diana Gabaldon
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Good fiction is defined by the presence of conflict and strong characters, especially in the mystery genre.

Diana Gabaldon emphasizes that at the core of engaging fiction, particularly mysteries, lie the elements of conflict and character. Conflict drives the narrative, creating tension and interest, while well-crafted characters bring depth and relatability, allowing readers to become truly immersed in the story.

Themes

ConflictCharacterFictionMysteryStorytelling

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a writing workshop to inspire aspiring authors.

More from Diana Gabaldon

Does it ever stop? The wanting you?" "Even when I've just left ye. I want you so much my chest feels tight and my fingers ache with wanting to touch ye again.
Diana GabaldonRead
But a man is not forgotten, as long as there are two people left under the sky. One, to tell the story; the other, to hear it.
Diana GabaldonRead
You are at some point exposed to a wonderful story, and you really want to know what happens next, so you learn to read in order to find out.
Diana GabaldonRead
There are things that I canna tell you, at least not yet. And I'll ask nothing of ye that ye canna give me. But what I would ask of ye---when you do tell me something, let it be the truth. And I'll promise ye the same. We have nothing now between us, save---respect, perhaps. And I think that respect has maybe room for secrets, but not for lies. Do ye agree?
Diana GabaldonRead
Do you know,' he said again softly, addressing his hands, 'what it is to love someone, and never - never! - be able to give them peace, or joy, or happiness?' He looked up then, eyes filled with pain. 'To know that you cannot give them happiness, not through any fault of yours or theirs, but only because you were not born the right person for them?
Diana GabaldonRead
Hard to believe lightning can strike twice, but it surely did. The moment Caitriona Balfe came on screen, I sat up straight and said, β€˜There she is!’ She and Sam Heughan absolutely lit up the screen with fireworks.
Diana GabaldonRead

Similar quotes

If you imagine the world listening, you'll never write a line. That's why privacy is so important. You should write first drafts as if they will never be shown to anyone.
Erica JongRead
I'm very proud of the Rome episode of 'No Reservations' because it violated all the conventional wisdom about making television. You're never, ever supposed to do a food or travel show in black and white.
Anthony BourdainRead
I can never get over when you're on the beach how beautiful the sand looks and the water washes it away and straightens it up and the trees and the grass all look great. I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want to own.
Andy WarholRead
I want to make sure everyone's having a good time because when I ask you to come to my movie, I'm throwing a party for you. I want you to enjoy it.
Jon FavreauRead
When I make chairs, they have legs; they can go anywhere in the world. Interiors are a different responsibility. A house is a representation of where you are, and it has to be right for the place.
Marcel WandersRead
Weirdly enough, if I'm having trouble with a guitar part - not the playing of it but the writing - I'll mess around with echo and other effects, just turn everything up and make it as crazy as can be, and it winds up taking me somewhere. I've found so many guitar parts from echo. It's limitless.
The EdgeRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.