Quotes About Fiction

Without conflict, there is no story. Without a story, there is no novel--only the author's self-indulgent musings.

Fiction is a lie that tells deep truths

Good or evil, it doesn't really matter, so long as your novel's character is interesting.

The disappointment you feel when viewing the movie version of a character you've imagined while reading the novel.

Don't think. Imagine. Imagination is the firebed of a novel

And at least in poetry you should feel free to lie. That is, not to lie, but to imagine what you want, to follow the direction of the poem.

Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't.

It's no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense.

You don't know about me, without you have read a book by the name of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," but that ain't no matter. That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly. There was things which he stretched, but mainly he told the truth. That is nothing. I never seen anybody but lied, one time or another.

Why shouldn't truth be stranger than fiction? Fiction, after all, has to make sense.

When I find a well-drawn character in fiction or biography, I generally take a warm personal interest in him, for the reason that I have known him before—met him on the river.

Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities. Truth isn't.

Those who say truth is stranger than fiction have wasted their time on poorly written fiction.

Truth is more of a stranger than fiction.

Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't.

It's funny with fiction - once you cut something, it hasn't happened anymore.

The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.

Like a cartoon world, where the figures are flat and outlined in black, jerking through some kind of goofy story that might be real funny if it weren't for the cartoon figures being real guys.

I tend to take [ to Bridget Jones Diaries] something that nearly happened, or might have happened, and then exaggerate it to make it funny and to make it tie into the themes.

Being serious is serious business in fiction. It's commercial or hoi polloi in fiction to be funny. It's too accessible to the great unwashed.

You can't just call the Praetor. It's not like 1-800-WEREWOLF.

The future is always a dystopia in movies.

With 'Attachments, ' my goal was to write a really good romantic comedy. I wanted the reader to be smiling throughout.

Better to have a small role in God's story than to cast yourself as the lead in your own fiction.