Some people read to escape reality and leave this world. However, some people enjoy the world we are in and read with this in mind. This is where things get tricky. Anyone with an imagination has the ability to create their own worlds and rules to govern said universe, but how can a writer adhere to our universe's rules and still write good literature?
In a fantasy world, if a writer is stuck, all they have to do is make up something which, at worst, just makes sense. Sometimes they get lucky and it all falls together beautifully, but odds are it feels loose and forced. This is beside the point, though. In fantasy anything is possible, so theoretically a writer should never become stuck in an impossible situation for the characters or the plot in general.
When writing a piece based in our universe, the writer must be careful to stay within our logical boundaries. They can't (or at least shouldn't!) make up crazy or impossibly convenient situations to help the story move along. The reader feels cheated, or the characters miss out on important development. This is where intense research and planning come into play.
During the course of writing my first novel, I learned just how tricky it is to thread a good story together which is both logical and entertaining. In my head I had planned out this elaborate criminal drug lab underground in the middle of a large city. Of course, knowing I wanted everything to make sense, I did extensive research and discovered several obvious issues with my plan (the process is too complex for a city, the large shipments of raw cocoa leaves to a rundown apartment, etc.)
As sad as I was, I knew it was the right thing to discard this idea and move on with the story. From that moment forward, I told myself I would be one hundred percent positive all my facts were checked and I would have a logical story in my hands.
The last thing I want is readers to question the logic of what I write. An entertaining, yet sensible read is perhaps the best thing a writer can create. If you write in our universe the way it is, why break reason when you can avoid it?
So true...You did your Research, found the Facts, and Created a well laid out piece of work that entertained but stayed true. I’m proud of you and all of your accomplishments. “All I ever expect of you is to do your Best!” -Mom. As life gets busy, we get so involved in it, that time passes by so too quickly and we look back to wonder where the time went... so my advice to you, is to “slow” down, do some of the things you enjoy, make memories, and those moments will remain in your Heart forever. I know that’s Hard to do, but in order to be a Happier, less Stressful individual, you need to escape into your own little fantasy world, to melt away some of life's worries...then when the time comes to make those memories you can be relaxed & take in every moment.
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