Famous quote by Diane Johnson

"But novels are never about what they are about; that is, there is always deeper, or more general, significance. The author may not be aware of this till she is pretty far along with it"

About this Quote

Diane Johnson's quote clarifies the multi-layered nature of books, suggesting that they run on more levels than the simple stories they may at first provide. The assertion "books are never ever about what they are about" indicates that while a book might have an evident plot or subject, these elements often serve as lorries for checking out more profound styles and facts.

This concept recognizes books as complicated constructs where the surface-level story opens a gateway to deeper meanings. For example, a novel ostensibly about a family going through a divorce might tackle broader concerns of identity, societal standards, or emotional resilience. The story offers the framework, but the underlying significance gets in touch with universal human experiences or grapples with existential concerns.

Johnson likewise keeps in mind that "the author may not be aware of this till she is quite far together with it", highlighting an organic element of the innovative procedure. Writers frequently begin with a specific story or characters however find unforeseen styles and insights as their work develops. The act of composing becomes one of exploration, where subconscious or unarticulated concepts emerge, enabling the narrative to transcend its preliminary scope. This transformative journey can lead authors to acknowledge meanings they had actually not knowingly meant, enhancing the work with layered intricacy.

Additionally, this interpretation underlines the collaborative role of readers in deriving significance from a novel. Each reader brings distinct understandings and experiences, enabling them to uncover diverse analyses lined up with their perspectives. Hence, a book's true effect depends on its capability to spark self-questioning and connection, transcending its immediate plot.

Eventually, Johnson captures the intrinsic richness of literary works and the depth of the creative procedure. She acknowledges that while authors begin their journeys with certain objectives, the location frequently reveals itself through the act of production, leading to discoveries that embed books with enduring resonance and universal appeal.

About the Author

This quote is written / told by Diane Johnson somewhere between April 28, 1934 and today. He/she was a famous Novelist from USA. The author also have 4 other quotes.
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Diane Johnson, Novelist

"Many novelists take well-defined, precise characters, whose stories are sometimes of mediocre interest, and place them in an important historical context, which remains secondary in spite of everything"

Raymond Queneau, Poet

"The suspense of a novel is not only in the reader, but in the novelist, who is intensely curious about what will happen to the hero"

Mary McCarthy, Author

"The thematic, psychological, and cultural concerns of a writer are more relevant than whatever literary mode he or she chooses to deal with in any given novel"

Norman Spinrad, Author

"I never plot out my novels in terms of the tone of the book. Hopefully, once a story is begun it reveals itself"

Alice Hoffman, Author

"Every novelist has a different purpose - and often several purposes which might even be contradictory"

Irwin Shaw, Novelist

"However, the difficulties and pleasures of the writing itself are similar for a novel with a historical setting and a novel with a contemporary setting, as far as I'm concerned"