If you would have your fiction live forever, you must neither overtly preach nor overtly teach; but you must covertly preach and covertly teach.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- To make fiction timeless, embed your lessons subtly rather than preaching them openly.
- In plain terms
- Teach lessons quietly in your story instead of lecturing.
- What can you take from it?
- Show, don't tell, in your writing.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is your story preachy?
- How are you conveying the message?
Another view
Sometimes explicit messages are necessary for clarity.
More from Mark Twain
Never let your schooling interfere with your education.
Permalink to quote #138 I can teach anybody how to get what they want out of life. The problem is I can't find anybody who can tell me what they want.
Permalink to quote #140 I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer me the position.
Permalink to quote #137
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