Standing ovation for this tremendously illuminating essay! So much wisdom and food for thought! I think great storytelling and characters differ from authors' worldview in a compelling way; self-inserts can exist here and there, it's impossible for them not to, but they in no way should totally shape the story and protagonists. A good writer should feel challenged to write even characters that may be abhorrent to them in real life, this conflict incites more reflection for the reader.
So true, Nadia -- writers should challenge themselves by writing characters that may be abhorrent to them -- and a great addendum to this essay. You often hear folk say 'write what you know' but a more useful piece of advice I've heard is 'write what you're learning'. When we write flawed or repugnant characters into a story, we challenge ourself to learn about them, get to know them and even to love them in a way -- and, like you say, this can inspire a similar reflection in the reader also ... Thanks so much for your encouragement, and I'm so glad you enjoyed the essay!
It’s such helpful advice for any writer, thank you Peter! I don’t really like this “write what you know” tip, as it gatekeeps others from writing about anything and anyone, and everyone should have the right to write on things they may not have first-hand experience with. If we always stay in one lane, that makes for very boring reading and does not challenge us at all lol.
I was recently revisiting Dietrich von Hildebrand's "Art of Living" and the idea that the reverent man does not try to plumb the depths of the world of values immediately but gives them the necessary "space to unfold themselves" resonates very much with the ideas you lay out here. A very insightful read, thank you!
Also the quote from your previous article, The Dark Before Dawn was too good not to restack.
You make so many good points in this piece. I was especially interested in your notes on propaganda and how Jesus calls “listeners to abide in a holy mystery.”
Thanks Susanna! I'm glad you found it interesting. I'm never sure what parts of these reflective essays will strike a chord with others, but they're certainly helping me sort out my own thoughts.
Standing ovation for this tremendously illuminating essay! So much wisdom and food for thought! I think great storytelling and characters differ from authors' worldview in a compelling way; self-inserts can exist here and there, it's impossible for them not to, but they in no way should totally shape the story and protagonists. A good writer should feel challenged to write even characters that may be abhorrent to them in real life, this conflict incites more reflection for the reader.
So true, Nadia -- writers should challenge themselves by writing characters that may be abhorrent to them -- and a great addendum to this essay. You often hear folk say 'write what you know' but a more useful piece of advice I've heard is 'write what you're learning'. When we write flawed or repugnant characters into a story, we challenge ourself to learn about them, get to know them and even to love them in a way -- and, like you say, this can inspire a similar reflection in the reader also ... Thanks so much for your encouragement, and I'm so glad you enjoyed the essay!
It’s such helpful advice for any writer, thank you Peter! I don’t really like this “write what you know” tip, as it gatekeeps others from writing about anything and anyone, and everyone should have the right to write on things they may not have first-hand experience with. If we always stay in one lane, that makes for very boring reading and does not challenge us at all lol.
I was recently revisiting Dietrich von Hildebrand's "Art of Living" and the idea that the reverent man does not try to plumb the depths of the world of values immediately but gives them the necessary "space to unfold themselves" resonates very much with the ideas you lay out here. A very insightful read, thank you!
Also the quote from your previous article, The Dark Before Dawn was too good not to restack.
That one's on my list to read; thanks for the reminder!
This is very insightful! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this 🙂
Cheers Ben!
You make so many good points in this piece. I was especially interested in your notes on propaganda and how Jesus calls “listeners to abide in a holy mystery.”
Thanks Susanna! I'm glad you found it interesting. I'm never sure what parts of these reflective essays will strike a chord with others, but they're certainly helping me sort out my own thoughts.