This isn’t entirely on point with your article (which is thought provoking in its own right), but I’m thinking now about how people are expected to listen to a favorite song over and over again, but are considered on the obsessive side if they read the same book or watch the same show/movie repeatedly.
Really insightful! I love this perspective. With regard to subverted expectations, i think it's wise to sometimes play with certain expectations to 1) keep stories fresh 2) keep readers on their toes 3) test their validity; however, there has to be a good reason within the story for doing so, as using it for its own sake is a dead end that can alienate readers. Also, it should be used sparingly, imho, for all the reasons you describe.
I think this is why I like science fiction and mystery series (both to read and write) because the continuation of characters does provide that familiarity, but the actual mystery plot provides the new element.
I like how you put it, and the timing of your thoughts is perfect, I ran across something from Jean Cocteau, from "Diary of an Unknown": "Know that your work speaks only to those on the same wavelength as you". I wondered about what happens as our work adds new things, and changes, over time. New readers/consumers who find us, might be surprised by the earlier stuff but in a good way. If everything we do is saying who we are, in new ways, then it's all on the same frequency underneath.
I feel like I'm not mixing enough of those "new songs" into my fiction as of late. It's getting to the point where I know I'll have to begin experimenting or else fall into a comfortable routine. I'm not sure how to go about it yet, but this post is another reminder to consider "releasing a new album". When it fails spectacularly, I'll tell everyone to blame you, Winston. 😉
please unsubscribe me. Plain and simple. you are a very boring writer. Goodbye and goodluck. Do a basic experiment some time. Print out what youve written. Take a pen and cross out every word you dont really need. ie Cross out every uneedeed work. Ditch all verbosities.
Entertain on your favorite frequency
This isn’t entirely on point with your article (which is thought provoking in its own right), but I’m thinking now about how people are expected to listen to a favorite song over and over again, but are considered on the obsessive side if they read the same book or watch the same show/movie repeatedly.
Really insightful! I love this perspective. With regard to subverted expectations, i think it's wise to sometimes play with certain expectations to 1) keep stories fresh 2) keep readers on their toes 3) test their validity; however, there has to be a good reason within the story for doing so, as using it for its own sake is a dead end that can alienate readers. Also, it should be used sparingly, imho, for all the reasons you describe.
I think this is why I like science fiction and mystery series (both to read and write) because the continuation of characters does provide that familiarity, but the actual mystery plot provides the new element.
I like how you put it, and the timing of your thoughts is perfect, I ran across something from Jean Cocteau, from "Diary of an Unknown": "Know that your work speaks only to those on the same wavelength as you". I wondered about what happens as our work adds new things, and changes, over time. New readers/consumers who find us, might be surprised by the earlier stuff but in a good way. If everything we do is saying who we are, in new ways, then it's all on the same frequency underneath.
Well put with the music analogy. I love to have my expectations subverted, but in a way where I'm saying, "ahh you got me."
Not, "wait, what??"
I feel like I'm not mixing enough of those "new songs" into my fiction as of late. It's getting to the point where I know I'll have to begin experimenting or else fall into a comfortable routine. I'm not sure how to go about it yet, but this post is another reminder to consider "releasing a new album". When it fails spectacularly, I'll tell everyone to blame you, Winston. 😉
please unsubscribe me. Plain and simple. you are a very boring writer. Goodbye and goodluck. Do a basic experiment some time. Print out what youve written. Take a pen and cross out every word you dont really need. ie Cross out every uneedeed work. Ditch all verbosities.