Musings

Musings

DirtySciFiBuddha22 Comments

Paradoxically, there seems to be validity to the argument that every story has been told before (thematically and structurally), and also that every occurrence is novel by default (it occurs only once in its unique space-time coordinate, surrounded by its own unique configuration of subatomic reality).

To me, the novelty or timelessness isn’t relevant. If I’m writing a story, I’m going to focus on how it feels to me–how it resonates with my emotions and imagination. Hopefully, readers will feel the same or similar. I can’t control that; they’re shaped by their own unique circumstances and choices.

In the meantime, while they’re reading, I’m going to write the next story as best I can.

22 thoughts on “Musings”

  1. “If you shape the title then the story – you always make sense to yourself and retain clarity while your audience is confused. If you write the story then shape the title; you yourself are mystified by what was said when no words were chosen audibly, and verbally you jumped from your own course to achieve closer to the green pastures that ALWAYS (all caps) lead back Home [wherever you’ve figured that to be {in your travels}]
    great instruction from a greater mind that made me think about this when I told him I didn’t want to be in The Family Business, I wanted to write. Now I do both, just like he said I could!! 😄☺

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  2. Wise words!

    I’ve learned to accept this for myself. I used to worry a lot about “accurate” representation. Now I realize I should tell the story I need to tell, and just try to write the best story possible. I’m never going to please everyone, and my best works will be those I’m best suited to write.

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  3. The absolute good thing is that when you’re deep in a story, you forget about everything but what is under your pen. Trying to please anyone doesn’t come into it because that way would lead to a nervous breakdown!

    Gwen.

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  4. Well, Kent…
    I think we’re brothers of different mothers.
    I write what want. And I don’t give a !%$* what anyone thinks about content, or how I present it.
    I agree with Gwen Grant – “…when you’re deep in a story, you forget about everything but what is under your pen.”
    I use a computer, so I guess it would be what’s under my fingers.

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    • Deep down, I suspect the content might have its own sentience, lol! So I gotta let it express itself or it won’t refer me to its buddies and I won’t have anything to write about!

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  5. So there’s a reason for writers to carry on writing… despite the absolutely overwhelming multitude of written works that already exist on planet Earth… (Good to know.) So what if the plot is nothing new? The work as a whole is something different! (One would hope, anyway.) As you say in the same book, “There are other worlds than these.” Up to us writers to keep discovering and presenting them because, if we’re honest, it’s all our brains can do. (Novelty and timelessness be damned.) Thanks for sharing this musing.

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  9. I always know I’m doing it right when I get those (too rare) occasions when the characters seem to write themselves…when I’m typing dialogue and I’m surprised by what a particular character says or does…bingo!

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  10. When I (all too rarely, it seems) am able to just let it go and allow the characters to write themselves…when I suddenly find myself surprised by something a character just said or did…that’s when I know I’m doing it right.

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  11. That’s why I think starting to produce creative work (writing, music, videos, etc.) can feel so daunting at first. Even if you have a completely original idea, you know your inspirations. There are also tons of creative works out there that could be exactly like whatever you want to make, and you just don’t know it. If every story has been told before, then why try to tell it again? I like the idea that “every occurrence is novel by default.” Because now it’s a question of “why NOT try to tell it again?”

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