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.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Stace! Great point. I wonder why that is. I know I used to rewatch movies a ton when I was younger, but now it seems more of a time commitment. Personally, I don’t think it’s obsessive to rewatch movies or re-read books.
What’s your favorite book to re-read? I’ve only re-read Atomic Habits twice, and Way of Kings 3x. Started The Way of Shadows for a second time in audio but then they removed it from the streaming service halfway through. Sad times. Anyways, thanks for stopping by!
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 like these points, J! One that stands out as interesting to me was in Casino Royale when they kill the main Bond villain at the end of Act 2. It had never been done before in a Bond movie, and it really worked because it launched the larger shared universe aspect of it. It caused the viewer to be interested that there was a villain that made this villain shiver in his boots. But that’s only a subtle subversion. It’s not as drastic as “it was all a dream.” Thanks for commenting!
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.
OOoooo. This is such as good point. I think what you’re describing is why the last 100 pages goes so much faster than the first 100 pages, aside from it being the climax of the book. It’s something about having the framework established that lets the action/plot take place effortlessly. As well as with sequels, they are much easier to digest due to that familiarity. There’s less overall friction. Thanks for stopping by to comment!
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.
Whoa, thank you for sharing that quote, Edward! It’s exactly the idea I was trying to get across. And your point about readers discovering our work at varying intervals is a really good one. I’d like to think that each post and each book is an entry into our greater body of work that helps onboard new readers. Like you said, the earlier stuff might even be a wonderful surprise. So glad you took the time to comment, Edward. I’ll need to check out Jean Cocteau’s Diary of an Unknown.
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. 😉
Hey Brian, thanks for commenting. I will gladly take the blame for a new album by Brian Reindel. However, there’s nothing wrong with routine if it’s producing the results you’re looking for. Let me know if you ever need a second pair of ears!
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.
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.
Good question. Now I'm wondering that too.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Stace! Great point. I wonder why that is. I know I used to rewatch movies a ton when I was younger, but now it seems more of a time commitment. Personally, I don’t think it’s obsessive to rewatch movies or re-read books.
What’s your favorite book to re-read? I’ve only re-read Atomic Habits twice, and Way of Kings 3x. Started The Way of Shadows for a second time in audio but then they removed it from the streaming service halfway through. Sad times. Anyways, thanks for stopping by!
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 like these points, J! One that stands out as interesting to me was in Casino Royale when they kill the main Bond villain at the end of Act 2. It had never been done before in a Bond movie, and it really worked because it launched the larger shared universe aspect of it. It caused the viewer to be interested that there was a villain that made this villain shiver in his boots. But that’s only a subtle subversion. It’s not as drastic as “it was all a dream.” Thanks for commenting!
Really interesting! I love those subtle surprises that keep stories from becoming too predictable :-)
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.
OOoooo. This is such as good point. I think what you’re describing is why the last 100 pages goes so much faster than the first 100 pages, aside from it being the climax of the book. It’s something about having the framework established that lets the action/plot take place effortlessly. As well as with sequels, they are much easier to digest due to that familiarity. There’s less overall friction. Thanks for stopping by to comment!
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.
Whoa, thank you for sharing that quote, Edward! It’s exactly the idea I was trying to get across. And your point about readers discovering our work at varying intervals is a really good one. I’d like to think that each post and each book is an entry into our greater body of work that helps onboard new readers. Like you said, the earlier stuff might even be a wonderful surprise. So glad you took the time to comment, Edward. I’ll need to check out Jean Cocteau’s Diary of an Unknown.
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??"
Exactly!!!! Thanks for commenting, Timothy. I’m glad the analogy worked! :)
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. 😉
Hey Brian, thanks for commenting. I will gladly take the blame for a new album by Brian Reindel. However, there’s nothing wrong with routine if it’s producing the results you’re looking for. Let me know if you ever need a second pair of ears!
Thanks, Winston, I appreciate that. When it "drops" I'll let you read it. 😁
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.