Alex, there’s so much I loved about this piece. And helps further flesh out my thoughts on the value of fiction.
Especially how non-fiction, especially in a business setting, tends to focus on easily compressible ideas, which leaves out an entire universe of meaningful ideas which can’t be compressed or explained quickly. They can’t be explained to the mind, but known in the heart. I’d imagine these types of dualities that take nuance and patience are a prime example.
Decades ago I looked into Dramatica, a theory of Story (and associated software). The overriding paradigm was that every complete story represents a model of the human mind, with the narrative being an externalized (observable) problem-solving activity.
Such a complete story functions as a single mind. That mind confronts the issue at hand, making progress toward a resolution, with each character being another competing aspect of the self, pulling in different and contradictory directions. As you describe Saunder's position, fiction is well-suited to convey these Truths because it engages these "contradictory fragments of ourselves".
I have found, however, that while the theory may hold water, it does not necessarily translate into a method. The big writers may have succeeded because they viscerally understood humanity and the human condition, not because they spent a week (or a year) designing their story to accurately map to the competing forces presented in literary theory (or Dramatica theory). In other words, the writers did not intentionally plant the Truths; rather, the Truths effortlessly emerged from the minds of these literary luminaries.
Appreciate it Leo. That is a fascinating theory, and, given that I'm basically the opposite of an engineer, one I wouldn't have considered.
And yeah, I think you're absolutely right. Saunders talks about it as well - how most of this happens from a deep, subconscious place. It's fascinating.
Wow, Alex, exciting!! I’ve felt similar about fiction, that it’s so far away from me. I’ve heard that it more or less just comes out of you, and that seems like your experience here! Must be because of that flip phone…
Such a great book. His analysis of Master and Man was simply incredible. And hear you on the non-fiction essays - I also started off there (writing mostly self-help stuff) but think I've hit my ceiling. It's just too dry and on the nose.
You did a great job of summarizing Saunder’s work and intriguing me to read it. I will definitely check it out.
I have also felt that fiction is just as good, if not better in many ways, at providing truth. It also has the unique advantage that it can demonstrate truth, whereas non-fiction is all theory.
I struggled for a long time to write friction myself- it seemed so daunting. But then I read Story by Robert McKee— essentially the Bible on screenplays but it also has so much to say about story, why it exists and how it works. And it basically inspired me to try my hand at it, and I’ve seen really enjoyed it. My first few stories were trash, and people don’t read fiction that much in Substack, but it’s still really fun and you get to convey truth without having to explain it (often because you don’t fully understand it for yourself, but you recognize it in the characters and situations you created),
The Saunders book is such a gem. I'm not sure who else could have me reading a Tolstoy story about a winter sleigh trip gone wrong while on a beach holiday, and somehow make it a page-turner.
You nailed it perfectly here: "The reader is then able to absorb the Truth of this duality and nuance—of the duality and nuance of everything—through the sneaky, often more resonant pathway of story, one through which we’re wired to receive."
Keep going with the fiction. I'm so looking forward to reading, whenever you're ready to share.
I am already in love with Tommy DeVito and can't wait to hear more about you . . . er . . . I mean him.
Ha!
Fiction, many times, is merely a fantasy of Truth.
PM...that is quite profound, and beautifully said.
Alex, there’s so much I loved about this piece. And helps further flesh out my thoughts on the value of fiction.
Especially how non-fiction, especially in a business setting, tends to focus on easily compressible ideas, which leaves out an entire universe of meaningful ideas which can’t be compressed or explained quickly. They can’t be explained to the mind, but known in the heart. I’d imagine these types of dualities that take nuance and patience are a prime example.
Thanks brother. Agreed. Our conversation helped flesh out a lot of these ideas.
Great article Alex.
Decades ago I looked into Dramatica, a theory of Story (and associated software). The overriding paradigm was that every complete story represents a model of the human mind, with the narrative being an externalized (observable) problem-solving activity.
Such a complete story functions as a single mind. That mind confronts the issue at hand, making progress toward a resolution, with each character being another competing aspect of the self, pulling in different and contradictory directions. As you describe Saunder's position, fiction is well-suited to convey these Truths because it engages these "contradictory fragments of ourselves".
I have found, however, that while the theory may hold water, it does not necessarily translate into a method. The big writers may have succeeded because they viscerally understood humanity and the human condition, not because they spent a week (or a year) designing their story to accurately map to the competing forces presented in literary theory (or Dramatica theory). In other words, the writers did not intentionally plant the Truths; rather, the Truths effortlessly emerged from the minds of these literary luminaries.
Appreciate it Leo. That is a fascinating theory, and, given that I'm basically the opposite of an engineer, one I wouldn't have considered.
And yeah, I think you're absolutely right. Saunders talks about it as well - how most of this happens from a deep, subconscious place. It's fascinating.
I spent many decades in engineering and I hadn’t considered it either until I came across it😎
Now I want to (finally) read Saunders, and maybe, one day, that fiction story.
Love it! It took me a while to get around to reading him as well, but really glad I did.
Wow, Alex, exciting!! I’ve felt similar about fiction, that it’s so far away from me. I’ve heard that it more or less just comes out of you, and that seems like your experience here! Must be because of that flip phone…
Ha, yeah - the flip phone is a portal into the subconscious!
Such a great book. His analysis of Master and Man was simply incredible. And hear you on the non-fiction essays - I also started off there (writing mostly self-help stuff) but think I've hit my ceiling. It's just too dry and on the nose.
For sure. And agreed - Master and Man was my favorite analysis by far.
You did a great job of summarizing Saunder’s work and intriguing me to read it. I will definitely check it out.
I have also felt that fiction is just as good, if not better in many ways, at providing truth. It also has the unique advantage that it can demonstrate truth, whereas non-fiction is all theory.
I struggled for a long time to write friction myself- it seemed so daunting. But then I read Story by Robert McKee— essentially the Bible on screenplays but it also has so much to say about story, why it exists and how it works. And it basically inspired me to try my hand at it, and I’ve seen really enjoyed it. My first few stories were trash, and people don’t read fiction that much in Substack, but it’s still really fun and you get to convey truth without having to explain it (often because you don’t fully understand it for yourself, but you recognize it in the characters and situations you created),
Thanks Grant. Well said. It's definitely a ton of fun if nothing else.
Oh man, that opening. Cannot wait to read more.
The Saunders book is such a gem. I'm not sure who else could have me reading a Tolstoy story about a winter sleigh trip gone wrong while on a beach holiday, and somehow make it a page-turner.
You nailed it perfectly here: "The reader is then able to absorb the Truth of this duality and nuance—of the duality and nuance of everything—through the sneaky, often more resonant pathway of story, one through which we’re wired to receive."
Keep going with the fiction. I'm so looking forward to reading, whenever you're ready to share.
Thanks brother. Quite grateful for your excellent book recommendation(s).