A writer's best engagement with their subject occurs when they meet someone they care about and then construct elaborate theories to justify their affection for that character, rather than starting with a theory and finding a subject to dress it up.

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Speaker

Malcolm Gladwell

Evidence Quote

all of your writing is about you meet someone, you fall in love with them, and then you come up with some elaborate theory to justify your affection for your character

Source

Adam Gopnik with Malcolm Gladwell: On the Mystery of MasteryThe 92nd Street Y, New York
Created: 8/11/2026, 1:38:16 AM

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