Mark Twain Quote About Truth And Fiction
Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer who lived from 1835 to 1910. He is known for his famous quote about truth and fiction that has become a popular saying among writers and readers alike.
The Quote
The quote is as follows:
"Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't."
This quote is often used to explain why real-life events can be more surprising, shocking, or unbelievable than anything a writer could come up with in their own imagination.
The Meaning
Mark Twain's quote about truth and fiction means that real-life events can sometimes be more incredible or unpredictable than any story that a writer could make up. This is because writers have to follow certain rules and possibilities when creating stories, while real-life events can defy expectation or logic.
For example, a writer might be hesitant to write a story where a man survives a plane crash, lands in the ocean, and drifts on a life raft for weeks before being rescued. However, this is exactly what happened to real-life survivor Louis Zamperini, whose story was later documented in the book and movie Unbroken.
How It Applies to Writing
Mark Twain's quote about truth and fiction has been used to advise writers to draw inspiration from real-life events and experiences when creating their stories. By doing so, they can make their stories more compelling and believable to readers.
However, this does not mean that writers should abandon all rules and possibilities when creating their stories. Rather, they should use the unpredictability and variety of real-life events to enrich their stories and make them more engaging.
Conclusion
Mark Twain's quote about truth and fiction is a reminder that real-life events can be just as fascinating and unpredictable as any story a writer could create. By drawing inspiration from real-life events, writers can make their stories more relatable and engaging to readers.
