I loved this even as it reminded me of why these debates are so frustrating. Arguing in good faith and being willing to be proven wrong are essential, but it leaves the door wide open for people who just want to use serious debate as a cover for serious bullshit.
On the topic of message-oriented fiction, I feel like a lot of it suffers from choosing all aspects of the message beforehand and forcing the plot to follow that frame. I want the message to limp over the finish line along with the protagonist - bruised, but better. A tidy message is as bad as a tidy ending, especially if they both happen in the same story.
They are extremely frustrating! Because there's no real answer, right? You have to convince other people to get anywhere, but you might also be wrong yourself. You could even be 100 percent right, but still lose.
Surely. I mean...the Rev is obviously somewhat deranged. I have to say I was a bit surprised his community put up with this weird behavior for decades. Like...they were pretty tolerant
"The other rejoinder, which is what I was told when I used to take writing workshops, is, “If you have a point, you can write a pamphlet. There’s no political point that can’t be made better by an essay than by a story.”"
I think if I was to ask, my workshop leaders would say that older fiction operated by different rules, but I'm not sure. Next time I hear someone say this I'll have to check.
I loved this even as it reminded me of why these debates are so frustrating. Arguing in good faith and being willing to be proven wrong are essential, but it leaves the door wide open for people who just want to use serious debate as a cover for serious bullshit.
On the topic of message-oriented fiction, I feel like a lot of it suffers from choosing all aspects of the message beforehand and forcing the plot to follow that frame. I want the message to limp over the finish line along with the protagonist - bruised, but better. A tidy message is as bad as a tidy ending, especially if they both happen in the same story.
They are extremely frustrating! Because there's no real answer, right? You have to convince other people to get anywhere, but you might also be wrong yourself. You could even be 100 percent right, but still lose.
"...f you were sexy, the demons were just a lot more pliable." lol, I loved that line especially. You have a way with words.
Thank you!
And surely the veil itself is a sin, an extra sin, that of vanity.
Surely. I mean...the Rev is obviously somewhat deranged. I have to say I was a bit surprised his community put up with this weird behavior for decades. Like...they were pretty tolerant
Wow, that first line got my attention!!
Thanks =]
"The other rejoinder, which is what I was told when I used to take writing workshops, is, “If you have a point, you can write a pamphlet. There’s no political point that can’t be made better by an essay than by a story.”"
I guess they don't like George Eliot?
I think if I was to ask, my workshop leaders would say that older fiction operated by different rules, but I'm not sure. Next time I hear someone say this I'll have to check.
Ah interesting yeah I would like to know
And most of great literature.
I really did enjoy this story -- thanks! Even though I was expecting a faux letter to Cosmopolitan's sex column or something! :)
Thank you!