Post by devilinthedetails on May 15, 2019 5:43:12 GMT 10
I think every reader knows the joy of having their expectations subverted: of being caught by surprise by something in a story that ultimately feels more right for the story than what you had expected because it was delivered so spectacularly. Most readers probably also know the converse of having expectations disappointed: of having a moment of logical or emotional payoff that you expected in a story to never come or be unsatisfying in how it was delivered. If every expectation was satisfied in a story, it might risk becoming formulaic and too predictable, yet if a story becomes merely about subverting expectations, it can become a gimmick written for shock value alone. So, every story must fall somewhere on a spectrum of subverting and satisfying expectations.
Where do you like the stories you read to fall along that spectrum? How about the ones you write (if you write any)? Do you have any special tricks for satisfying or subverting expectations as a writer? Any techniques that you notice work well for subverting or satisfying expectations when you read?
Personally, I think I am more on the satisfying expectations side of the spectrum in my reading. Perhaps because I'm a re-reader, and moments where my expectations were satisfied seem to pay off better on re-reads while the surprise of having my expectations subverted seems to be more limited to my first read. In my writing, I feel like I'm not so great at subverting expectations since plot as a whole isn't my strength, so probably by default I am better at satisfying expectations, though I'm always trying to get better at that...
I would love to hear your thoughts and hope I wasn't too biased in framing this question. I would really love to hear all sides and opinions, especially those different from mine, since that is how my perspectives grow and change
Where do you like the stories you read to fall along that spectrum? How about the ones you write (if you write any)? Do you have any special tricks for satisfying or subverting expectations as a writer? Any techniques that you notice work well for subverting or satisfying expectations when you read?
Personally, I think I am more on the satisfying expectations side of the spectrum in my reading. Perhaps because I'm a re-reader, and moments where my expectations were satisfied seem to pay off better on re-reads while the surprise of having my expectations subverted seems to be more limited to my first read. In my writing, I feel like I'm not so great at subverting expectations since plot as a whole isn't my strength, so probably by default I am better at satisfying expectations, though I'm always trying to get better at that...
I would love to hear your thoughts and hope I wasn't too biased in framing this question. I would really love to hear all sides and opinions, especially those different from mine, since that is how my perspectives grow and change