Logo - Feel The Words

Fiction Writing Quotes

The discipline and magic behind every invented story.

These quotes treat fiction writing as both craft and mystery, ranging from a writer calling it pure magic to a student describing how a course demystified the process and built real confidence. Related reflections appear in the Confidence quotes on this site.

People have always heard voices. Sometimes they're called shamans, sometimes they're called mad, and sometimes they're called fiction writers. I always feel lucky that I live in a culture where fiction writing is legal and not seen as pathology.

Quotes by Ruth Ozeki

Maybe the example of Southern fiction writing has been so powerful that Southern poets have sort of keyed themselves to that.

Quotes by Robert Morgan

A lot of crime fiction writing is also lazy. Personality is supposed to be shown by the protagonist's taste in music, or we're told that the hero looks like the young Cary Grant. Film is the medium these writers are...

Quotes by Peter Temple

We were given clear concrete tools. The course did a great job demystifying the art of fiction writing and fostering confidence. The instructor brought complex concepts down to earth. I will miss coming here every week.

Quotes by Miguel Ferrer

Action Quotes

First of all, writing at best - certainly fiction writing - more and more I think is magic.

Quotes by Kathy Acker

I spent several years acquiring the obsessive, day-to-day discipline that's needed if you want to write professionally, then several more, highly valuable years studying fiction writing at the University of Iowa.

Quotes by John Dalton

From my years of teaching creative writing, I know that new writers take the setting for granted, as simply a place to set the action, but setting is a vital element in fiction writing and deserves serious treatment.

Quotes by Garry Disher

I think that's what fiction writing is actually all about. It's about trying to solve problems in creative ways.

Quotes by Eleanor Catton

Frequently Asked Questions

What themes run through these Fiction Writing quotes?
They cover fiction writing as both craft and mystery, from calling it pure magic to describing the discipline required to write professionally over many years.
Is there a quote about learning fiction writing formally?
Yes, one speaker credits a university course with demystifying fiction writing and building lasting confidence, a theme echoed in Confidence quotes.
How is the idea of 'hearing voices' used here?
One quote compares fiction writers to shamans, noting that people who hear voices are sometimes called mad and sometimes called fiction writers, depending on the culture.
Does any quote mention the years of discipline required?
Yes, one speaker describes spending several years acquiring day-to-day discipline before studying fiction writing formally at university.
What other quote pages relate to fiction writing?
Readers often continue to Art and Best quotes for related creative craft reflections.

Others recall the years of obsessive discipline needed to write professionally, and one compares fiction writers to shamans who simply hear voices differently. For craft-adjacent reading, see Art quotes.