The concept of believability itself relies, in my opinion, primarily on the characters themselves, with plot and setting being secondary to constructing an engrossing story. Obviously, many stories incorporate some form of fantasy theme as a core element of the plot line, and obviously such styles or settings are almost always unrealistic. Establishing some basic rule set and keeping the consistency of those mechanics intact is an easy enough way to maintain the reader’s sense of believability in the story. Any decent science fiction or fantasy story (or at least those that I enjoy) balance potentially tiresome exposition and explanation of the invented world’s workings with the core plot and characters. Readers can ease themselves into a foreign setting easily enough as long as the writer keeps them from being distracted by glaring flaws within it.
Yet even some supposedly realistic stories (formulaic romance movies/novels come to mind) lack that sense of believability that pulls us in and allows us to attach ourselves to those characters emotionally. Even those stories that involve the impossible require distinctly realistic characterization, despite their settings, in order to truly be enjoyable and engaging in a way that goes beyond plain entertainment. The reason a book like “Catcher in the Rye” works is because Holden Caulfield’s alienation and fear of adulthood is distinctly sympathetic and relatable to anyone who was or is a teenager. He demonstrates a vulnerability and intense ethos through his rough, excessively critical voice that transcends the “whiny teenager” stereotype that less entertained readers seem to dismiss him as. A much less realistic (and seemingly strange) example are the “Scott Pilgrim” series of graphic novels, which sneak in a story about maturing, facing and accepting the past, and a realistic contemporary relationship under the superficial, deceptive layer of video games, music, and ridiculously fantastical action sequences. Even with an implausible, or even a seemingly nonsensical setting or plot, a story can still be captivating as long as the characters themselves feel genuine and authentic.
-Tomas F.
EDIT: I totally forgot my name, so I tossed it back in. Sorry bout that!
I'm not sure I agree with you stating that it's "obvious" many books are based on fantasy. There's a number in the Young Adult section, but there are occasionally good reads in YA fiction (Drowning Anna). However, generally many lasting classics are made from realistic stances (The Awakening, Catcher in the Rye, On the Road).
ReplyDeleteAnd formulaic romance novels don't promise anything; I think you're generalizing there.
Oh, and you forgot your name.
-Caroline
I would suggest thinking about that age group you are writing about, for example teenagers male and female, and think about what they are like. If you are setting it in the past research what that group was like in the past. If in the future, you can let your imagination go wild. Also try going out in public and looking at people in that age group, not spying but just looking at what they wear, how they talk, what they talk about, etc.
ReplyDeleteI will look out for your future stories during our peer response groups.
Craig Fontenot