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Quote by Elizabeth Bowen

“Often when I write I am trying to make words do the work of line and color. I have the painter's sensitivity to light. Much of my writing is verbal painting.”

Author

Elizabeth Bowen

Elizabeth Bowen was an Irish-born British novelist known for her intricate psychological portrayals and profound insights into British society from the late Victorian era to the mid-20th century. Her works often focus on female characters, exploring themes of family, love, class, and identity. more

“Dialogue must appear realistic without being so. Actual realism-the lifting, as it were, of passages from a stenographer's take-down of a 'real life' conversation-would be disruptive. Of what? Of the illusion of the novel. In 'real life' everything is diluted; in the novel everything is condensed.”

Writing Real Would Be Novel Conversation Illusion Real Life Dialogue Realistic Passages Realism Lifting Disruptive

Book:Collected Impressions

Source: Collected Impressions

“The craft of the novelist does lie first of all in story-telling.”

Writing Firsts Doe Stories Lying Crafts Novelists

Author:Elizabeth Bowen

“What must novel dialogue . . . really be and do? It must be pointed, intentional, relevant. It must crystallize situation. It must express character. It must advance plot. During dialogue, the characters confront one another. The confrontation is in itself an occasion. Each one of these occasions, throughout the novel, is unique.”

Writing Character Situation Novel Unique Dialogue Occasions Plot Relevant Confrontation

Book:Collected Impressions

Source: Collected Impressions

“What is being said is the effect of something that has happened; at the same time, what is being said is in itself something happening, which will, in turn, leave its effect.”