Terry Pratchett on story

Or: Why I Still Read Fantasy When I Should Be Sweeping the Floor and Being a Better Person.

Nine-tenths of the universe, in fact, is the paperwork.

And if you want the story, then remember that a story does not unwind, it weaves. Events that start in different places and different times all bear down on that one tiny point in space-time, which is the perfect moment.

Supposing an emperor was persuaded to wear a new suit of clothes whose material was so fine that, to the common eye, the clothes weren't there. And suppose a little boy pointed out this fact in a loud, clear voice...

Then you have The Story of the Emperor Who Had No Clothes.

But if you knew a bit more, it would be The Story of the Boy Who Got a Well-Deserved Thrashing from His Dad for Being Rude to Royalty and Was Locked Up.

Or The Story of the Whole Crowd Who Were Rounded Up by the Guards and Told 'This Didn't Happen. Okay? Does Anyone Want to Argue?'

Terry Pratchett, Thief of Time, London: Doubleday, 2001.