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Quote by Renee Watson

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Renee Watson
Renee Watson

Renee Watson is an American author known for her works in children's and young adult literature. Her books often explore themes of race, identity, and growth, resonating with readers. more

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“These days, most of my interactions with young people are centered on the poetry or theater classes I teach, so the students I know are reading contemporary poets (they love Willie Perdomo) and scripts (No Child, by Nilaja Sun and Twilight by Anna Deavere Smith). I don't know their reading habits outside of our class, but I believe that they enjoy stories that they can relate to, learn from, be challenged by - you know, the usual good writing that every reader craves.”

PeopleKnowsWritingBelieveChildrenStoriesYoungReadingI BelieveEnjoyClassTeachSunStudentsPoetReaderHabitTheaterScriptsContemporaryRelateThese DaysUsualInteractionTwilightCraveGood WritingAnnaReading Habits
Author:Renee Watson
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“My general approach to writing fiction is that you try to have as few conceptual notions as possible and you just respond to the energy that the story is making rather than having a big over plan. I think if you have a big over plan, the danger is that you might just take your plan and then you bore everybody. I always joke that it's like going on a date with index cards. You know, at 7:30 p.m. I should ask about her mother. You keep all the control to yourself but you are kind of insulting to the other person.”

IfsThinkingKnowsShouldWritingTryingKindPersonsStoriesBigsMightMotherAsksEnergyFictionPlansDangerApproachJokesNotionCardsBoresInsultingWriting Fiction
Author:George Saunders
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“My theory for nonfiction is that nobody can be free of some kind of conceptions about whatever story they're writing. But if you can find a way to build those into the story, then the story becomes a process of deconstructing and heightening and sometimes changing those notions and that makes dramatic tension. The initial statement of your position, and then letting reality act on you to change it, is pretty good storytelling.”

IfsWayWritingKindSometimesStoriesRealityProcessPositionTheoryNotionStatementsStorytellingDramaticTensionConceptionNonfictionInitialsGood Storytelling
Author:George Saunders
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“All I really know in nonfiction is that when I come home, I've got all these notes and I'm trying to figure out what actually happened to me. I usually kind of know what happened, but as you work through the notes, you find that certain scenes write well and some don't even though they should. Those make a constellation of meaning that weirdly ends up telling you what you just went through. It's a slightly different process, but still there's mystery because when you're bearing down on the scenes, sometimes you find out they mean something different than what you thought.”

KnowsShouldWritingTryingWellsKindMeanStillsDifferentEndsSometimesHomeCertainProcessHappenedMysteryFiguresSceneNotesComing HomeNonfictionConstellations
Author:George Saunders
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“With fiction, and also with nonfiction that you can take your time doing, you have a much better chance of reaching across the divide and connecting with somebody who is opposed to you on some things. They're opposed to you on one axis, which is politics, but if you go over the axis called puppies, you might find some common ground.”

IfsMightChanceCommonFictionReachingDividesNonfictionConnectingPuppyDoing YouCommon GroundAxesTake Your Time
Author:George Saunders
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