Meaning: Ann Beattie's quote about storytelling provides insight into her creative process and the key elements that drive her narrative development. In this quote, Beattie emphasizes the significance of atmosphere and visual imagery as the initial catalysts for her storytelling, which then inform the creation of her characters. By prioritizing the atmosphere and visual elements, Beattie highlights the immersive and sensory nature of her storytelling, indicating a deliberate focus on evoking a specific mood or setting to engage her audience.

Atmosphere plays a crucial role in setting the tone and emotional resonance of a story. It encompasses the overall ambiance, mood, and sensory details that envelop the reader, creating a distinct and immersive experience. Beattie's recognition of the importance of atmosphere suggests that she is attuned to the power of sensory stimuli in drawing readers into the world of her narratives. Whether it be through vivid descriptions of landscapes, weather, or the overall mood of a scene, the atmosphere serves as a foundational element that shapes the emotional landscape of her stories.

Furthermore, Beattie's emphasis on visual imagery underscores the significance of evocative and descriptive language in her storytelling. Visual imagery not only enriches the sensory experience for the reader but also serves as a powerful tool for conveying emotions, themes, and symbolic meanings within the narrative. By prioritizing visual imagery, Beattie demonstrates a commitment to crafting vivid and evocative scenes that resonate with her audience, allowing them to visually immerse themselves in the world she creates.

The prioritization of atmosphere and visual imagery as the starting points for Beattie's storytelling process reveals her intention to construct narratives that are deeply rooted in sensory and emotional experiences. By immersing her readers in rich, evocative environments, Beattie lays the foundation for her characters to inhabit and interact within these atmospheric landscapes. This approach suggests a deliberate and conscious crafting of the narrative environment as a means to elicit specific emotional responses and engage the reader on a visceral level.

Moreover, Beattie's assertion that she "people[s] it with characters, not the other way around" signifies her belief in the interdependency of characters and their environment. Rather than conceiving characters in isolation and subsequently placing them within a predetermined setting, Beattie's approach suggests that the atmosphere and visual imagery inform the development and behavior of her characters. This dynamic relationship between the narrative environment and the characters reflects an integrated approach to storytelling, where the two elements mutually influence and shape each other throughout the narrative.

In summary, Ann Beattie's quote encapsulates her approach to storytelling, highlighting the central role of atmosphere and visual imagery in shaping her narratives. By beginning with the evocative power of sensory elements, Beattie creates a foundation for her characters to inhabit and interact within immersive and emotionally resonant landscapes. Her emphasis on the interplay between atmosphere, visual imagery, and character development underscores the holistic and interconnected nature of her storytelling process, ultimately enriching the reader's experience with vivid, sensory storytelling.