I'm vaguely aware of a writing quote along the lines that the ideal story twist leaves the reader thinking, 'I didn't see that coming but I should have'.
Does anyone here know who said it first?
AJ
I'm vaguely aware of a writing quote along the lines that the ideal story twist leaves the reader thinking, 'I didn't see that coming but I should have'.
Does anyone here know who said it first?
AJ
I'm vaguely aware of a writing quote along the lines that the ideal story twist leaves the reader thinking, 'I didn't see that coming but I should have'.
I can't think of a specific quote, but I keep repeating the basic idea whenever I discuss foreshadowing (i.e. you provide just enough warning that they don't see the ending coming, but when it does, it all makes sense. If you don't get that response, then you really shouldn't waste your time with foreshadowing.
Still, I'm interested in who you might be thinking of who commented on it.
The sentiment is more complex than the usual pithy aphorism so my guess would be that it originated quite recently, the second half of the last century or later. Beyond that I have little idea. The course junkies mention it, so it's probably widely quoted on creative writing courses.
AJ
I'm vaguely aware of a writing quote
It may not even be a writing quote the first time it was used.
In IT, there's an expression: "Transparent to the user."
It means, no impact to the user. But when things go wrong, it means:
The user never saw it coming.
It may not even be a writing quote the first time it was used.
King Harold and Horatio Nelson both had good reason to say it ;)
AJ
King Harold
Sadly, Harold DID see it coming, but was somewhat busy with King Hadralda of Norway, whom he did defeat and kill.
Harold just couldn't get enough men-at-arms to Hastings in less than 3 days to prevent or repel the, by then, extensive Norman incursion.
Having two invasions in separate parts of the country within a week is just plain bad luck.
Exit the Anglo-Saxon lineage.
Sadly, Harold DID see it coming, but was somewhat busy with King Hadralda of Norway, whom he did defeat and kill.
At school, we were taught that King Harold was winning until he launched his suicidal charge down the hill.
But in any case, I was attempting to be humorous by mentioning two people who lost an eye in battle :(
AJ
But in any case, I was attempting to be humorous by mentioning two people who lost an eye in battle :(
It just goes to show, you should never go into battle without your safety glasses! Remember that everyone writing a war epic—especially those occurring in historical settings! 'D
'I didn't see that coming but I should have'.
That's exactly what The Donald said when his pedophile lost the senatorial election.
That's exactly what The Donald said when his pedophile lost the senatorial election.
Didn't realize the Trumpster owned him as, last time I checked, slavery is illegal in the US
ETA: And just in case I need to enter this, /sarc
How about sex slavery?
Yes, in terms of true involuntary servitude for purposes of sex, that would be illegal too.
It's been suggested elsewhere that the quote might have been by or about Agatha Christie.
Does that jog any memories?
AJ
It's been suggested elsewhere that the quote might have been by or about Agatha Christie.
Does that jog any memories?
I looked though my quote catalogue (author and book quotes), though most of my quotes aren't sorted by category. I now have enough it can take hours just to wander through and pick appropriate quotes.
'I didn't see that coming but I should have'.
Does anyone here know who said it first?
Adam.
EDIT TO CORRECT.
I got that wrong. The first person to say, "I didn't see that coming but I should have," was Eve. Sorry about that. My knowledge of the Bible is about as skimpy as her outfits.