Writing Excuses 20.28: The Lens of Tradition
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Jul 13, 2025 This discussion dives into how storytelling traditions shape creativity and resonate with audiences. The speakers reflect on their personal and cultural backgrounds that influence their narratives. They explore the balance between tradition and innovation, highlighting how external influences can enhance storytelling. Additionally, the importance of evolving traditions and integrating diverse elements is emphasized, encouraging writers to embrace influences that can refine their craft.
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Stories Are Rooted in Tradition
- Our storytelling is deeply shaped by narrative traditions we grew up with, whether conscious or not.
- These traditions influence how we tell stories and what themes we explore.
Unreliable Narrators from Piers Anthony
- Mary Robinette Kowal credits Piers Anthony's "Incarnations of Immortality" for her love of unreliable narrators.
- The series shows the same events from an 'evil' villain's perspective, revealing different truths.
Question Published Works' Quality
- Published works are not automatically good; we must critically judge what we read and write.
- Recognizing this helps us unlearn harmful aspects from traditions and choose what to embrace.
