Kent Wayne

Musings

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by

DirtySciFiBuddha
in

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.

Comments

22 responses to “Musings”

  1. Sam Borromeo Wilson Villalobos Avatar
    Sam Borromeo Wilson Villalobos

    “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!! 😄☺

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. DirtySciFiBuddha Avatar
      DirtySciFiBuddha

      Good advice! Yes, in my mind, I treat the story like a separate entity I’m just facilitating into being.

      Liked by 1 person

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  2. Margo Margan Avatar
    Margo Margan

    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.

    Liked by 4 people

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    1. DirtySciFiBuddha Avatar
      DirtySciFiBuddha

      Well put! Yes, trying to please everyone will lead to misery, just as I cannot be pleased by everything. There’s fulfillment in authenticity!

      Liked by 1 person

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  3. gwengrant Avatar
    gwengrant

    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.

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. DirtySciFiBuddha Avatar
      DirtySciFiBuddha

      Yes indeed! Plus trying to please everyone is quickly revealed to be impossible, as there are billions of differing and/or contradicting viewpoints in the world.

      Liked by 1 person

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  4. Phil A Davis Avatar
    Phil A Davis

    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.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. DirtySciFiBuddha Avatar
      DirtySciFiBuddha

      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. v l Avatar
    v l

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. DirtySciFiBuddha Avatar
      DirtySciFiBuddha

      Yes! Well said!

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  6. CurtissAnn Avatar
    CurtissAnn

    Thanks. Inspiring truth for me just now.

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. pedometergeek Avatar
    pedometergeek

    One of your better musings because as writers, we needed to hear it. As do you! Remember your words of inspiration! ~Nan

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. gaiasophiaofearth Avatar
    gaiasophiaofearth

    Well said – and well done is even better.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZu7mfYS_VY

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. Zoey Avatar
    Zoey

    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!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. DirtySciFiBuddha Avatar
      DirtySciFiBuddha

      Love when that happens!

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  10. Zoey Avatar
    Zoey

    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.

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. DirtySciFiBuddha Avatar
      DirtySciFiBuddha

      Deep down, I believe they exist somewhere out there in the infinity of reality.

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  11. EtherealTree Avatar
    EtherealTree

    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?”

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. DirtySciFiBuddha Avatar
      DirtySciFiBuddha

      Absolutely! I definitely prefer the newer Ocean’s Eleven over the original!

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  12. authorstephanieparkermckean Avatar
    authorstephanieparkermckean

    Good advice. Let your story line follow your heart. God bless.

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. bloggerjoe2050 Avatar
    bloggerjoe2050

    Yup just keep the faith and write that story!!!

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. Alan J. Blaustein Avatar
    Alan J. Blaustein

    Of course, the best you can. How others feel shouldn’t matter-it’s how you feel about it.

    Thank you for liking my poem!

    Liked by 1 person

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