When I tell people I study creative
writing, they usually respond that it must be a nice hobby. While I do enjoy
creative writing, I have never seen it as just a hobby. It annoys me they consider
it a frivolous activity to study because they assume it does not have a practical
use in our society.
That's not the case. Storytelling performs many important functions. For example, the narratives of the Aboriginal peoples played an integral role in bringing the Stolen Generations to the forefront of Australian consciousness. Storytelling is also valued in business, politics and in human rights campaigns.
The ability to tell a good story is a part of what makes us human. It shows that vulnerability is a necessary part of dealing with our emotions, and it provides a window into the souls of those who are different from us.
That's not the case. Storytelling performs many important functions. For example, the narratives of the Aboriginal peoples played an integral role in bringing the Stolen Generations to the forefront of Australian consciousness. Storytelling is also valued in business, politics and in human rights campaigns.
The ability to tell a good story is a part of what makes us human. It shows that vulnerability is a necessary part of dealing with our emotions, and it provides a window into the souls of those who are different from us.
Stories are
important. And that goes for romance as well.
What
does this mean for romance fiction? What does it mean for all fiction written
to entertain? Watch this short video about
a man who found a life for himself through Star Trek.
It’s
a touching scene. Like all popular genres, science fiction is meant to be
entertaining. However, the power within it lies in the ability of storytelling to
facilitate emotional connection. We connect with each other through story.
Romance as a genre is
uniquely placed to convey the emotional connection of storytelling.
Think
about Anne Gracie’s work. I’m not sure how many books she has published but her
readers are devoted. Many of them say her stories are important because they
add value to their own lives. Scroll down to the fifth myth on this page.
Whether or not stories are meant to entertain, they are important; they convey representations of our dreams, our fears and our fantasies in the past, present and future.
Whether or not stories are meant to entertain, they are important; they convey representations of our dreams, our fears and our fantasies in the past, present and future.
What do you think?
Are your personal stories important? What
book or story have you read recently that has had an impact on you or someone
else? Imagine a world without storytelling or romance fiction. What would it be
like?
Love to love: eating icing out of the
bowl.
Love to laugh: sitting on a banana
peel my son had left on the lounge.
Love to learn: Robert McKee’s Story HarperCollins E-book.
