Try any goddam thing you like, no matter how boringly normal or outrageous. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, toss it. Toss it even if you love it.
Stephen KingRead
Outlines are the last resource of bad fiction writers who wish to God they were writing masters' theses.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote criticizes the reliance on outlines in creative writing, suggesting true artistry comes from spontaneity.
Stephen King expresses a strong sentiment against the mechanical use of outlines in fiction writing. He implies that good fiction should stem from creativity and intuition, rather than rigid structures typical of academic writing, suggesting that over-organization can stifle artistic expression and authenticity.
Themes
WritingCreativityFictionArtistrySpontaneity
In practice
Example use cases
In a writing workshop, encouraging participants to embrace creativity over outlines.
More from Stephen King
All quotes →Eddie discovered one of his childhood's great truths. Grownups are the real monsters, he thought.
Stephen KingRead
Hairstyles change, and skirt lengths, and slang, but high school administrations? Never.
Stephen KingRead
Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.
Stephen KingRead
That's the day's business. Thinking. Thinking and isolation, because it doesn't matter if you pass the time of day with someone or not; in the end, you're alone. He seemed to have put in as many miles in his brain as he had with his feet. The thoughts kept coming and there was no way to deny them.
Stephen KingRead
Late last night and the night before, tommyknockers, tommyknockers knocking on my door. I wanna go out, don't know if I can 'cuz I'm so afraid of the tommyknocker man.
Stephen KingRead
Similar quotes
Painting is but another word for feeling.
John ConstableRead
Everybody has the same energy potential. The average person wastes his in a dozen little ways. I bring mine to bear on one thing only: my paintings, and everything else is sacrificed to it...myself included.
Pablo PicassoRead
Glamour doesn’t just happen, people don’t wake up in the morning glamorous.
Virginia PostrelRead
Art for Duchamp, all the arts, obey the same law: meta-irony is inherent in their very spirit. It is an irony that destroys its own negation and, hence, returns in the affirmative.
Octavio PazRead
I equate composing with orchestrating. I think my music in terms of an orchestra.
Henry ManciniRead
The film of tomorrow will not be directed by civil servants of the camera, but by artists for whom shooting a film constitutes a wonderful and thrilling adventure.
Francois TruffautRead