Comments on: The life of a story

By: ByJane

ByJane — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:35:50 +0000

Jennifer,
In the spirit of discussion, I go on…

The reason I asked that question is that I find myself avoiding the sad, angry-making stories when I know about them already. For example, I lived through the angst of the 2000 election; I don’t need to relive a play by play. I remember when my mother stopped watching these sorts of movies, books, etc and I thought she was such a chicken. She SHOULD watch. But now I’m of a mind: WHY should she or I watch? I don’t equate it to voting, because voting is something I always do. But watching/reading, to relive, to get enraged and saddened again? To what end? Okay, if I’m going to use those emotions to foster some action, then that’s a reason to keep fomenting them. When I think this through, I see that maybe what is different for me now versus when I was younger is that I feel less empowered to actually effect change. So why get all het up if I can’t do anything about it?

ByJanes last blog post..Death and Insomnia

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:55:40 +0000

You have managed to get me to think–thank you. I so rarely get a chance to think

Lisas last blog post..Poor Ol’ Charlie Brown

By: melissa

melissa — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:18:45 +0000

Honesty about that is even more difficult. I don't think I could read Tiger Force. But the other book? Will be suggested as a book club read! melissas last blog post..Screw Iowa!

By: Jenn @ Juggling Life

Jenn @ Juggling Life — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:39:29 +0000

I know exactly what you feel about being compelled to read something you won't "enjoy." I have friends that would never dream of reading or watching something that did not "entertain" them and it just baffles me. Jenn @ Juggling Lifes last blog post..How Enthusiastic Is Too Enthusiastic?!

By: flutter

flutter — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:41:57 +0000

always forever. Or so it seems. flutters last blog post..

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:31:07 +0000

Jen, I hope you will write further about this idea of redemptive qualities in storytelling/memoir, specifically how it might apply to what you are writing now…will you feel better if you find some form of redemption through writing your story, or is it even something you seek?

This is a really interesting concept, thank you for writing about it, I hadn’t heard of it and now will go back and read these articles. I actually believe that this redemptive quality can be found in fiction writing as well…often when I read a novel, and then glance back at the author’s bio, I’ll see similarities and wonder, are they consciously or unconsciously working something out through the arc of the story?

Thanks for the post, very interesting.

Suzannes last blog post..We have a winner!

By: Madge

Madge — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:50:56 +0000

you tell a story just as well as anyone out there. Madges last blog post..

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:26:23 +0000

Really good post. I always bristle a bit when people get too judgy. Like in the case of a police officer shooting a civilian. I’m not saying that’s right, but it’s not “black and white” either. And to say “he should have” or “shouldn’t have” isn’t fair. You weren’t there. You don’t know. That’s important to keep in mind when judging almost anyone who acts in a stressful or crisis situation.

Kimberlys last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Say CHEESE!

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:33:58 +0000

Very interesting post. Redemption is not always found, in the end. It makes the search for it no less important, which is why I love this post.

This makes me think of Darfur and the Congo – and I wonder when the day will come, or the book will arrive – when we’ll read about it, look back in hindsight and horror – with our eyes wide open.

Anns last blog post..What The Heck?

By: Jennifer Harvey

Jennifer Harvey — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:20:29 +0000

Jane–I think it’s because I know the particulars of the events that I should read the stories of how these men got to where they ended up. The articles were thorough, but they were limited in length because they appeared in a newspaper. I’m interested in more of the deep background., which is where the seeds of this story are planted, I think.

I also felt I had a responsibility to look at the photos from Abu Ghraib prison, just as I have a responsibility to vote. I believe that we have to stare down the worst of what our country does, with just as much steadiness and conviction and heart as we might display when we mouth the words of the national anthem at the start of a baseball game.

You asked a good question, and I hope I answered it in the spirit in which you asked it.