17. to create new emotions in the reader; new ideals, questions, desires, etc.
18. to expand the reader's frame of reference, "lived" experience
19. to document the imagination of the author (implicit memoir/biography); other author-centric goals (your aims tend to be reader-focused or other-focused)
20. to document the world described by the fictional work (history)
21. to create characters more [<<many things beyond complicated, but I'd start with "beautiful">>]
To make the familiar foreign enough that we can stand back and say “yes that’s right” without having to condemn or pity ourselves. To say those things which we can’t say directly, because we’d die of cringe. To share intimately, and to judge privately.
To show the consequences of actions through vivid simulations by non-existent people. When done skilfully, the fact that they don’t exist makes the impact of their actions somehow more devastating than if you could reach out and touch them.
To persuade others to a point of view by giving them an experience that moves them from one way of thinking to another. (The 'experience' is often emotional but may be combined with rational arguments articulated by characters.)
Fiction also serves to provide a vehicle for storytellers to share the gifts of their imaginations and where possible to allow them to generate an income from doing what they love. Sound familiar? :D
To entertain you
To demonstrate how others overcame (generally psychological) obstacles
To expand who are able to sympathize/empathize with
To challenge presumptions; to reveal virtue and vice and their consequences
Why?
Ag typo! Thanks
I had to read the title twice. Effective for the click.
Ok!
17. to create new emotions in the reader; new ideals, questions, desires, etc.
18. to expand the reader's frame of reference, "lived" experience
19. to document the imagination of the author (implicit memoir/biography); other author-centric goals (your aims tend to be reader-focused or other-focused)
20. to document the world described by the fictional work (history)
21. to create characters more [<<many things beyond complicated, but I'd start with "beautiful">>]
22. to improve fiction! (meta aims, a la Bloom)
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To make the familiar foreign enough that we can stand back and say “yes that’s right” without having to condemn or pity ourselves. To say those things which we can’t say directly, because we’d die of cringe. To share intimately, and to judge privately.
To show the consequences of actions through vivid simulations by non-existent people. When done skilfully, the fact that they don’t exist makes the impact of their actions somehow more devastating than if you could reach out and touch them.
To persuade others to a point of view by giving them an experience that moves them from one way of thinking to another. (The 'experience' is often emotional but may be combined with rational arguments articulated by characters.)
With some examples
1. To make ambiguous ideas become flesh (The Old man and the sea - Hemingway; what does strength and perseverance look like?)
2. To awaken you to wonder (The Lord of the Rings - Tolkien)
3. To arouse empathy (Oliver Twist - Dickens )
I require it to suspend my sense of disbelief, which might be covered by #1
To dissolve the barriers between minds isolated from each other by their bodies.
Fiction also serves to provide a vehicle for storytellers to share the gifts of their imaginations and where possible to allow them to generate an income from doing what they love. Sound familiar? :D
Regarding 13, I’d say the less social science the author knows, the better. Great post.
Thanks!
To acquire emotional knowledge-- to better understand the people around you, their needs, motivations, fears.
To create a channel to speak truth to power
To create a space for the investigation of the taboo
To experience the impossible in fantasy.
To expand our realm of possibility.
To awaken our deep sense of curiosity.
To keep the language alive, especially if uncommon words are used.