Although this question is about reading preferences, I decided to place this thread in the writing discussions section because I hope it will be useful for writers on the forum to read the various appeals of fiction, so we can take them into account in our writing and discussing. Feel free to move it to another section if need be.
I'd like to know what you see in fiction, and share what I see in it, so we can understand eachother's varying opinions and keep these differences in mind when writing and discussing.
The real world is filled to the brim with stories more complex and fantastic than any individual could ever come up with. We have it all, from big worldchanging tales built on centuries worth of intricate preplanned lore, to a million charming (and disheartening) stories taking place at this very moment. In the face of this, I simply don't see the point of reading a story that didn't take place and doesn't help me understand the world around me (though it's completely fine if you do, and I'd love to hear your opinion), when I have libraries worth of equally, if not more interesting, stories that can provide me these additional benefits.
What I instead look for in fiction, are things the real world can't provide me. Normally, I want my fiction to show me an alternative lense to look at an issue, or a speculation of what can or could have happened differently. On the other hand, whenever I'm in the mood for escapism, I want my fiction to drag me so deep into the nitty gritty of an alien world that I can't help but forget the real world for a little bit.
In short, for me the appeal of fiction is about worldbuilding over story. The story to me is a vehicle for the worldbuilding and not vice versa. Of course regarding the story-vehicle, I'd prefer an airplane over a skateboard for transport, but the worldbuilding-destination is the thing I truly care about.
Oftentimes I feel this approach is undervalued in writing discussions, where the story is almost always placed above the worldbuilding. I have often heard variations of the question "How does this tie into your story?" when it comes to my worldbuilding, and I never quite know how to respond. Now that I've sat down and thought out my opinion on the matter, I realize that the story simply isn't at all my objective when it comes to reading or writing.
I'd like to know what you see in fiction, and share what I see in it, so we can understand eachother's varying opinions and keep these differences in mind when writing and discussing.
The real world is filled to the brim with stories more complex and fantastic than any individual could ever come up with. We have it all, from big worldchanging tales built on centuries worth of intricate preplanned lore, to a million charming (and disheartening) stories taking place at this very moment. In the face of this, I simply don't see the point of reading a story that didn't take place and doesn't help me understand the world around me (though it's completely fine if you do, and I'd love to hear your opinion), when I have libraries worth of equally, if not more interesting, stories that can provide me these additional benefits.
What I instead look for in fiction, are things the real world can't provide me. Normally, I want my fiction to show me an alternative lense to look at an issue, or a speculation of what can or could have happened differently. On the other hand, whenever I'm in the mood for escapism, I want my fiction to drag me so deep into the nitty gritty of an alien world that I can't help but forget the real world for a little bit.
In short, for me the appeal of fiction is about worldbuilding over story. The story to me is a vehicle for the worldbuilding and not vice versa. Of course regarding the story-vehicle, I'd prefer an airplane over a skateboard for transport, but the worldbuilding-destination is the thing I truly care about.
Oftentimes I feel this approach is undervalued in writing discussions, where the story is almost always placed above the worldbuilding. I have often heard variations of the question "How does this tie into your story?" when it comes to my worldbuilding, and I never quite know how to respond. Now that I've sat down and thought out my opinion on the matter, I realize that the story simply isn't at all my objective when it comes to reading or writing.
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