Pure escapism


It’s surely the goal of every fiction writer. We want to so absorb our readers’ attention with the flow and the intrigue of the story, that they are able to take a break from their lives, rest their brains, stop worrying, release some tension.

It is definitely one of the goals in writing, but it isn’t in the forefront of my mind as I write, or even as I edit. But every now and again, it occurs to me that I must be achieving it, because I myself have lost track of time as I work, sufficiently immersed in my own story.

I’ve probably said elsewhere that I write with a different part of my brain than my usual, day-to-day, conscious one. I suspect most writers do the same, though I know some write much more forensically, and with more planning, rewriting and editing, than I do. For me, the flow is everything. Without it, the magic breaks, the story falters and escapism is not necessarily achieved, either for me or for my reader.

How do I know if the flow is broken? The text becomes difficult to follow, the attention wanders. It’s hard to define, but something glitches and that slight jarring is often enough, to break the spell.

Yes, dear reader, we writers are but witches, trying to enchant and ensnare you with our incantations. Beware, all ye who pick up a book and enter within.

Edits and rewrites can interfere with the flow enough to break it, so I make them super carefully, like a jeweller adding the final points of filigree. Too much, and the whole work collapses. Not enough, and it is unfinished or not sufficiently refined. The skill is in knowing where to stop, and when to leave well alone. (I’m not completely sure I always achieve this.)

Escapism is good, though, right? When life is stressful, boring or sad, it’s wonderful to dive in and be fully immersed in a story, whether it’s in a book or on video. I don’t think I’d have survived my childhood half as well as I did, without it and many of my friends say the same.

Escapism helps us to endure reality and there are many routes to it, most of them far more physically damaging than reading a book.

Eventually, we must emerge, look at our reality and try to take some control of it, get back into the fray. But everyone deserves a break.


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