What’s nice about writing
is that we have the luxury
to imagine a story
from the end backwards.
Reading, on the other hand,
tends to work in the opposite,
leaving us perpetually wondering
where the story is going.
In writing,
the challenge is
to fill in the details
in order for the surprise
ending to makes perfect sense.
Neither the writer nor the reader
want a perfectly predictable ending.
But we want a logical one.
An unpredictable illogical ending
seems unsatisfying to us.
Like we didn’t put any work into our lives
and nothing we did had any meaning.
This is a horrible ending.
So be it.
The end.
Trail Wood,
11/25
The Duality of Being Readers and Writers
In the grand narrative of life, we all play dual roles as both readers and writers. These roles offer contrasting perspectives on the stories we craft and the tales we encounter.
The Luxury of Writing
Writing affords us the luxury of creating stories from the end backward. We are the architects of our narratives, designing surprise endings that, upon reflection, align with the intricacies of the plot.
The Uncertainty of Reading
In contrast, reading often immerses us in uncertainty. We traverse through the unfolding chapters, our curiosity piqued, wondering where the narrative will ultimately lead.
The Challenge of Writing
As writers of our own stories, the challenge lies in meticulously weaving the details to ensure that the surprise ending remains both unpredictable and logical. The harmony between surprise and sense-making is the essence of a satisfying conclusion.
The Quest for a Balanced Ending
Neither writers nor readers seek a perfectly predictable ending, for it robs the narrative of its intrigue. Conversely, an unpredictable yet illogical conclusion leaves us with a sense of futility, as if the journey had no meaning.
The Horrible Ending
An ending that is both unpredictable and devoid of logic is perceived as a horrible one. It signifies a life unexamined and a tale devoid of purpose.
Embracing the Unpredictable with Purpose
While we acknowledge the possibility of a horrible ending, we also recognize that every narrative, whether in writing or life, can be infused with purpose and meaning. Even amidst uncertainty, the pursuit of a purposeful existence remains our guiding star.
Summary: Embracing Purpose in the Unpredictable
In the grand story of life, we fulfill the roles of both writers and readers. Writing offers the luxury of crafting narratives with surprise endings that make perfect sense. Reading, in contrast, immerses us in uncertainty, wondering where the story will lead. The challenge as writers is to strike a balance between unpredictability and logical coherence. Neither predictability nor illogical unpredictability is desired. The horror lies in an ending that lacks purpose and meaning. As we navigate the unfolding chapters of our lives, we recognize that purpose infuses even the most unpredictable twists with significance.
Glossarium
- Duality of Roles: The simultaneous roles of readers and writers in the narrative of life.
- Logical Conclusion: An ending that, while unpredictable, aligns with the details of the plot.
- Balance of Surprise and Logic: The harmony between unpredictability and sense-making in a narrative.
- Purposeful Existence: A life infused with meaning and significance.
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” – Lao Tzu
In the Tapestry of Life
In the tapestry of life, we weave,
As both writers and readers, we believe.
Surprise endings, a writer’s art,
In the whimsiverse, we play our part.
Uncertainty in pages unturned,
In the narrative, lessons are earned.
Balancing surprise with reason’s light,
In the grand story, we find our flight.
Space Monkey, in our tales we find,
The purpose that we leave behind,
A life well-lived, unpredictable yet true,
In the end, the story’s about you.
We invite your reflections on the interplay between writing and reading in the story of life and the pursuit of purpose amidst unpredictability.
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