The other day I wrote a fiction piece for the first time in I don't know how long. It is harder for me to write fiction now, as my brain just doesn't work in the same way and is somehow more literal. I reckon it is because the automatic functions for imagination are largely missing, meaning ideas don't come as easily, the range of collateral the ideas are narrowed to conscious thought only, and the ability to flesh out the ideas is restricted.
But I tried.
And I will try again.
For me though, a story has to be similar to the rest of my content, where there is some kind of reality to it in terms of the conditions we have and the way we behave. There has to be a lesson of some sort, a take-away that could be used to inform the reader and make them think on how it relates to themselves, and their possible next move.
Not a guide, but a stimulus for thought.
Fiction is an incredibly powerful tool for our development, as we are bound by the retold stories passed down of the experiences of others, and the stories we tell ourselves about what our experience is to us. We are constantly telling fictional stories about our experience, even though most barely register in our own consciousness, let alone get written down for others to read. Every interaction we have, every relationship, every feeling, generates some kind of internal narrative that tries to make sense of what happened.
Someone says something to us, and we read into it a tone, a way, a meaning and assume that we have interpreted it correctly, even without verification. Rain ruins our picnic plans, and we read into it something about how our day is ruined, and our mood changes, our outlook shifts.
The stories we tell ourselves, shape our behaviour.
This isn't just about reframing our experience though, because these stories are deeply personal to the point that they are the thread that we cling to to hold our identity. We tell ourselves stories about who we are, even if our own behaviours do not align with that kind of person. And often too, we tell stories of our failures, when if we were to be objective or tell the same story about another, we might frame them a success for trying.
There is truth in all stories.
I remember watching an interview in the nineties with Quentin Tarantino and Katie Couric (I think it was) asked him what he would have done if he hadn't been a writer and director, to which he answered with a completely serious face, A serial killer. Perhaps being able to process his thoughts through artforms, means having an outlet that might have otherwise been expressed through physical reality.
A thought is not a crime. It is only when it is acted upon that it becomes real.
Fiction has truth in it, because it is born from the thoughts of an individual, their internal mental experience, which is influenced by their external experiences also. And when it comes to expressing internal thoughts, even if just for artistic impact, it can make people feel uncomfortable. Like a horror movie full of gore might be somewhat comical, but the ones that could happen, can terrify. When people are forced to consider their own reality and find that they might themselves be different to the story they have told themselves and others, the4y discover that who they thought they are is a fictional character, and they might be something else entirely. Or is that, someone other?
We are never who we think we are.
While we can predict and theorise, we never really know how we are going to react in a situation, until we are in that situation. Most people believe one thing, but if ever in what they imagined, discover they behaved entirely differently. Some thought they'd be strong under pressure and adversity, but collapse. Some thought they'd collapse, but stood firm and became a leader when others needed it.
These stories we tell ourselves shape our experience, and also become somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy. That voice that is constantly chattering away in the background, left unchecked, will become our guiding force, our north star, even if it is telling us lies.
When I tell a story, I want to capture a piece of life in a moment, like a photograph that comes with narration. A photograph doesn't tell the whole story, just a perspective, but it hints at what else may be there, what lays behind what is seen. Every image we see, comes with a set of assumptions that tells us what we cannot possibly know - what lays behind the image? And we use that stimulus to build another story.
An image doesn't tell a thousand words, if no thought is put into building the story from it.
And the same image could tell a million words for someone inspired to think into it, build onto it, and create a world from it. A simple line from a story could be the inspiration to change the world at a fundamental level. And along that path, there would be millions upon millions of new stories generated, and from those, more again. Humanity is created through a fractalling and expansion of stories of our experience, that shift the way we act in the world. And through our actions and interactions, we spawn new stories for ourselves and in others.
In my opinion, the stories we tell ourselves matter, as do the stories we tell each other. Truth in story telling isn't always literal, but the truth can be concrete nonetheless. Like the works of Shakespeare, which give incredible insight into human nature, all through the lens of fiction.
I am not Shakespeare.
Or any of the other great literary minds and creators.
But, should this stop me from telling stories?
Taraz
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Your approach to writing fiction sounds really similar to my wife's idea of reading fiction. She needs stories that are rooted in reality. She is not a fan of Science Fiction or Fantasy books or movies. If it can't really happen in real life then she is immediately uninterested. Some might argue that speaks to her lack of imagination or creativity, but I don't think that is the case.
I think women in general are much less interested in Science Fiction...
Yeah. I reckon it has to do with a number of factors and one of them might be evolutionary. Men are more willing to take risks and die, but a mother cannot.
My wife is similar to yours in this regard at least. I think it is lack of ability to suspend disbelief in some way. Men seem to be better at imagining "the impossible" in regards to tech and whatnot. Like has something to do with innovation also. Women have different kinds of skills with imagination and creativity, and I think they are often better at using what is actually available to find a solution.
Yeah, those are probably good points. I have met some ladies who were into sci/fi stuff, but oddly enough, they aren't really wife material :)
:D :D
Interesting take. I have my own theory that in some aspects is similar, I believe that we all view the world through our own warped lenses. The world we see is not how it actually is and that is why I try to get as many perspectives on the same thing as possible as each story usually has at least a tiny truth to it even the intentionally false propaganda pieces.
Yeah, I think the same. Our "truth" is a lie. There must be a truth somewhere in there, but it doesn't mean we can hold all of what is true, or see it. The people who believe they are right, are often the most mistaken.
What makes fiction what it is; is the concept called verisimilitude, which actually makes the concept of fiction into real-life scenarios as people believe it more.
I ’ve also struggled to get back into writing fiction after focusing on more practical, real-life writing for a long time and i think this is actually related to individual experience and obstacles.
Like you said, in my own experience too, imagination doesn’t flow the same way anymore, it takes real effort to let the mind wander freely again. But I agree that fiction still holds deep truth because it mirrors human experience. I remember once writing a short story based on a difficult time in my life, and though it was all “made up,” it helped me process emotions I hadn’t faced directly.
I think it is happening for many. I have said for years, the more we consume, the less creative we become. Our imagination dies when we are continually fed content that gives us no space to think.
The best stories are the ones that process real life, through different perspectives of what could have been, or a landscape that couldn't be.
Stories shape our reality and that in turn shapes our behavior. We get more than mere entertainment from any form of art, they drop thoughts and ideas into our consciousness which our mind processes to shape our view of life and the world.
That's why storytellers should be intentional about passing across the right thoughts and ideas with their stories. Literary figures have to take up the act of addressing serious societal issues through their fictional works.
I think this is the main function of fiction. Just like food nourishes our bodies and also delights our taste buds, but nourishment is the main thing it does, so also is transforming our thoughts and behavior the main thing art should do, though they delight and entertain our minds and imagination.
It seems that comedians are the only ones who talk about serious issues these days. Look at the politicians - they are now the jokers.
What a profound reflection—those hidden stories we tell ourselves truly shape our worlds, turning chaos into art or a daring lake dive. Fiction's power lies in mirroring our self-made myths, urging us to rewrite and leap forward. Thanks for the spark; keep weaving truths that make us think.
Those stories also keep us believing lies about the way things are, so we have to make sure we understand fact from fiction :)
Reading through this beautiful piece reminds me of some of the hidden but yet obvious truths of life and what a simple idea can turn into if properly conceived and acted upon.
I have seen people talk about individuality of each person in a society as the starting point of nation building and social interactions but it's important to know that this individual's own perception of life has been formed from the way he/she interpretes the outside world.
If we treat life like a story, it's Just like saying that the stories we believed from the ones we were told goes a long way in determining how we interpret the stories we're going to be told later.
Some how our life is all interlinked. People from different societies, different cultures an with different mindset are just a reflection of what they were told and what they believed.
Yes. And we are conditioned to believe some stories over others, about religion and culture, preferences and prejudices. And then we think that our story is the truth, and will fight and die for an illusion, believing that we know what we are doing. So much good and so much harm can come from the stories we tell ourselves and act upon.
Exactly; a lot of the things we hold dear to ourselves, things we could die for are just illusions we made ourselves or the ones we believed from the stories they told us.
Interesting is the fact that this can go a long way to determine the course of one's existence.
And just like you said, reflecting on this would raise a lot of questions about religion, culture, personal beliefs and values. Stories and perception can go a long way to determine the course of history or change the course of history.
Stories that goes along with true life's history and experience definitely shape and propelled the upcoming about how the future would be, a better projection can be visualized. From the stories been told, the imagination or pictorial assumption sets in, thar is why I don't joke around Shakespeare explores books and stories @tarazkp
I don't see myself stopping reading stories either fictional or true life based because it matters alot.
@tarazkp when you state that we can never know how to react to any situation till we are in it, prediction and imagination can set in but the actual action or reaction is in the process.
Some people spend all of their time burying themselves in facts, but do not understand any truth. There is a difference between fact and truth.
Narratives are the binding blocks of our social reality. Our identity clings to these as a mad lover, they're powerful means of altering prespectives, behaviour patterns etc...
Look at the stories of the world today, and then look how much violence springs from them. We need to change the stories of what it is to be human, healthy, part of a community.
In fact, the stories we tell help define who we are and influence how we interact with the world around us.
Yes. We build our identity on stories, even if they are not true.
One more thought fictions also help us in redefining wht if situations that help us in getting better at making decisions over time.
Our ability to think and rethink gives us a chance to test and retest in simulation, before applying an action. It is pretty cool really.
Indeed, sometimes things are difficult. It may be very influential on our thoughts and brains to think about the past, but sometimes the past is impossible for us to express, but! We can only reflect back on those times.
Fiction is so important - great post! Yet fiction often tanks on Hive - I'm not sure the bigger curators understand it nor like to read it. I'm sorry I missed yours - I'll go find it now. For me stories are a way of expressing myself, exploring ideas, getting lost in a creative process.
There is the theory saying that our neuronal pathways fade but do not disappear and can be reformed if we do that stuff again. Stronger by repetition. It may take longer than average for you, but it is possible. At least in theory.
There is the example with the Alzheimer’s patient that forget everything but was still walking on the same route every evening at the same hour before going to sleep.
Our lives in itself portray our stories...which is particularly why we are so captivated by it....especially when it is told well.
You Taraz are a good storyteller. Keep sharing
Personally, when reading fiction I don't stop thinking "could something of this nature be real?" If it's too fictitious to be real, I'm tuned off immediately. I might end up not completing it. I like contents that describe everyday life in different dimensions. I've tried in so many ways to zero my mind from what I thought it should be to what it is, but I couldn't.
"We are never who we think we are.” I agree. We are always on the making of something. This is one great way to put fiction writing in this perspective of changing. That it mirrors the idea. I agree on everything you said, it was beautifully written. One good idea, when writing fiction, like I do, I always start in "what if" questions to extract all possibilities there could be. It gives possibility to what my reality perspective can't do or think about. It reveals truth on the process. Light or dark. Good or bad.
nice mustache.. :P
yes.. perspective.