Writers and Reality
A writer can instantly create anything from an exact copy of something they have known all their lives to an entirely fictitious universe that does not have a single resemblance to our own. For example, Harry Potter can use his magic wand to give life to a flower. Biologists, physicists, engineers, and religious experts all say this action is impossible, yet readers enjoy this timid creation.
What about the ethics? It is natural for everybody to make up stuff. Readers understand that writers take liberties; not all stories require a foundation of truths. It is, therefore, acceptable to develop alternate physics, morals, and existences. Let’s name the flower Julie. Sound good?
Yet, there is a problem with giving life to a flower. Harry Potter waves his wand; poof, a flower comes to life and begins speaking. Who taught Julie to speak? Does Julie have rights? Can Julie be arrested? Did Julie have a soul? Do we need to bury Julie in a cemetery? Do the other flowers regret Julie’s passing? Wow, that got complex fast.
How do we fix such ethical issues? Readers are encouraged to “ignore” ethical issues so they may enjoy a story. Writers bank on this fact and use the living flower as a magical plot tool. “The flower instantly came to life, and we called her Julie.” What just happened? We accepted an impossibility in exchange for some harmless enjoyment.
How did this minor miracle occur? I made something up. What tools did I use? I thought about the possibilities and typed one into my computer. What could the world be like? How can I make it better or worse? After all, the writer does not have to answer to laws, physics, or even their boss, who yelled at them for showing up late because they had spent the night writing.
Writers can even have some fun. “Bob strolled into work late as usual. Jake confronted him and told him he would get fired if he did not arrive on time. What the heck? Jake went too far this time! So, Bob hatched a plan. His boss would die tonight!”
Wait a minute. Did the writer (a real person) just create a fantasy story where he pretended to kill his boss (also a real person)? Indeed, he did. Is that healthy? Umm, well, probably not. The story might even become evidence at a trial. Or is writing a healthy way of dealing with stress? After all, it is just a fantasy collection of words. Jake is alive, and Bob has no criminal plans.
A writer can travel into their fantasy. “Bob worked hard that month, and Jake rewarded him with a million-dollar bonus.” Now that’s more like it! I finally got the respect I deserved.
It is that easy to dive into fantasy, like an addictive drug that falsely makes a person feel better. Everything makes sense in this world (well, to the writer). For example, Scott Adams based many of his comics on his life experiences in the Dilbert comic strip.
As viewers of the comic, we all got a good laugh, but what happened? Scott Adams cannot yell at his boss, so he made a cartoon. Is that healthy? Maybe. What did the actual boss feel about this cartoon? He probably got upset, which made for a bad work situation.
Fantasy reflects reality, a collection of what might be possible, even though our present society and science would prevent such a story from occurring.
I have felt the pull to change the real world into one I have created. Yet, I have learned it is best not to pull too deep from my personal experiences. Why? During or right after writing, I feel like I am no longer here (I am living in my created fantasy). I suppose this is the mark of an excellent author to be able to detach their minds. The trick is understanding where the line is and not staying in fantasy.
I recall a comedian saying, “I got into comedy because it was cheaper than going to a therapist.” Writing provides the same escape, and I admit to exploring my problems with this medium. Perhaps one day, this article will be evidence in a trial. Umm. That’s something to think about.
You’re the best -Bill
June 05, 2019 Updated May 03, 2024
What about the ethics? It is natural for everybody to make up stuff. Readers understand that writers take liberties; not all stories require a foundation of truths. It is, therefore, acceptable to develop alternate physics, morals, and existences. Let’s name the flower Julie. Sound good?
Yet, there is a problem with giving life to a flower. Harry Potter waves his wand; poof, a flower comes to life and begins speaking. Who taught Julie to speak? Does Julie have rights? Can Julie be arrested? Did Julie have a soul? Do we need to bury Julie in a cemetery? Do the other flowers regret Julie’s passing? Wow, that got complex fast.
How do we fix such ethical issues? Readers are encouraged to “ignore” ethical issues so they may enjoy a story. Writers bank on this fact and use the living flower as a magical plot tool. “The flower instantly came to life, and we called her Julie.” What just happened? We accepted an impossibility in exchange for some harmless enjoyment.
How did this minor miracle occur? I made something up. What tools did I use? I thought about the possibilities and typed one into my computer. What could the world be like? How can I make it better or worse? After all, the writer does not have to answer to laws, physics, or even their boss, who yelled at them for showing up late because they had spent the night writing.
Writers can even have some fun. “Bob strolled into work late as usual. Jake confronted him and told him he would get fired if he did not arrive on time. What the heck? Jake went too far this time! So, Bob hatched a plan. His boss would die tonight!”
Wait a minute. Did the writer (a real person) just create a fantasy story where he pretended to kill his boss (also a real person)? Indeed, he did. Is that healthy? Umm, well, probably not. The story might even become evidence at a trial. Or is writing a healthy way of dealing with stress? After all, it is just a fantasy collection of words. Jake is alive, and Bob has no criminal plans.
A writer can travel into their fantasy. “Bob worked hard that month, and Jake rewarded him with a million-dollar bonus.” Now that’s more like it! I finally got the respect I deserved.
It is that easy to dive into fantasy, like an addictive drug that falsely makes a person feel better. Everything makes sense in this world (well, to the writer). For example, Scott Adams based many of his comics on his life experiences in the Dilbert comic strip.
As viewers of the comic, we all got a good laugh, but what happened? Scott Adams cannot yell at his boss, so he made a cartoon. Is that healthy? Maybe. What did the actual boss feel about this cartoon? He probably got upset, which made for a bad work situation.
Fantasy reflects reality, a collection of what might be possible, even though our present society and science would prevent such a story from occurring.
I have felt the pull to change the real world into one I have created. Yet, I have learned it is best not to pull too deep from my personal experiences. Why? During or right after writing, I feel like I am no longer here (I am living in my created fantasy). I suppose this is the mark of an excellent author to be able to detach their minds. The trick is understanding where the line is and not staying in fantasy.
I recall a comedian saying, “I got into comedy because it was cheaper than going to a therapist.” Writing provides the same escape, and I admit to exploring my problems with this medium. Perhaps one day, this article will be evidence in a trial. Umm. That’s something to think about.
You’re the best -Bill
June 05, 2019 Updated May 03, 2024
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