7 quotes
The only reason for the existence of a novel is that it does attempt to represent life.
The Art of Fiction (1884)
If we pretend to respect the artist at all we must allow him his freedom of choice, in the face, in particular cases, of innumerable presumptions that the choice will not fructify.
The Art of Fiction (1884)
There are few things more exciting to me, in short, than a psychological reason.
The Art of Fiction (1884)
The only obligation to which in advance we may hold a novel without incurring the accusation of being arbitrary, is that it be interesting.
The Art of Fiction (1884)
What is character but the determination of incident? What is incident but the illustration of character?
The Art of Fiction (1884)
Experience is never limited, and it is never complete; it is an immense sensibility, a kind of huge spider-web, of the finest silken threads, suspended in the chamber of consciousness and catching every air-borne particle in its tissue.
The Art of Fiction (1884)
The advantage, the luxury, as well as the torment and responsibility of the novelist, is that there is no limit to what he may attempt as an executant — no limit to his possible experiments, efforts, discoveries, successes.
The Art of Fiction (1884)