The creative writer is compulsively concrete . . . . His fictional house should be haunted by ideas, not inhabited by them; they should flit past the windows after dark, not fill the rooms. The moment anyone tries to make poems or stories of ideas alone he is at the edge of absurdity; he can only harangue, never interest and persuade, because ideas in their conceptual state are simply not dramatic. They have to be put into the form of people and actions . . .
Wallace Stegner emphasizes the importance of concrete imagery in creative writing. He argues that a writer should focus on the tangible and sensory aspects of their fiction, allowing ideas to manifest through characters and actions rather than presenting them as abstract concepts. This approach engenders a more engaging narrative, where ideas serve as fleeting inspirations rather than the central focus.
According to Stegner, when writers rely solely on ideas, their work risks becoming dull or overly didactic. Instead, by embodying ideas within relatable characters and dynamic plots, writers can create a compelling narrative that resonates with readers. This principle underscores the need for drama and action in storytelling, making ideas not mere statements, but integral to character-driven experiences.
