“The function of the novel is not to tell a story, but to create a world.”
What this quote means
Robbe-Grillet, a theorist of the Nouveau Roman, asserts that the novel is not mere narrative entertainment but the construction of a unique universe. The writer creates worlds with their own rules, atmospheres, and characters that come alive independently of the plot. This vision elevates the novel to an almost ontological act of creation, where writing becomes a space of freedom and invention.
How to apply it daily
When writing a story, focus less on the plot than on creating a coherent universe: describe places, sensations, and details that bring this world to life.
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