About a month ago, I wrote about why I started this blog (’twas the short edition) and something I mentioned in that post was that stories, for me, encompass everything. And what I meant by that is what I wanted to share today.
If it were really late, I would say that ‘stories encompass everything’ could either be read in the same tone that Spongebob used to talk about Imagination or that Woody uses to say ‘We toys see everything‘. Okay lies, it doesn’t have to be really late. It could be anytime and I’d still say to imagine that phrase send in those tones. No matter, on with the post. Now I could say so much about what stories encompass (it would be the best non-academic academic paper I’ve never written) but for today, I will keep it to 5 things that I’m really passionate about when it comes to stories. As with my review posts, I won’t be ranking or using a numbered list. Bullet list fan for life! They’re basically all around the same level for me. So let’s get started.
Endings
Okay, so I know I literally just stated that I wouldn’t be using a ranking list, but this first one is special. Possibly more than anything else, I am most passionate and most critical when it comes to endings. While it’s possible to mess up the beginning or the middle (or both), and still be an okay story with a good ending, it’s absolutely devastating to have a really good story that botches the ending. The ending is the last thing that the audience or the readers are going to experience, with exception. Will I be writing a full blog post later to share my love and hate for endings? Yes, yes I will, with several examples of both good and bad endings. And in fact, that’s why I try to include a “Spoilers” warning in any post (and just on my website in general…which I should update), because it’s often the ending that I want to discuss the most and you can’t do that without including spoilers or at least I can’t.
Behind the scenes or the making of
For me, the magic of a story is not just in the final version of the story, but in how that story came to life. I love finding out bits of trivia of how different characters came to life or what struggles an author had while writing. I especially love, when it comes to movies and tv shows, any clip (no matter the length) of the cast and crew discussing the project. Also, bloopers and gag reels are a high favorite for me.
But that magic goes beyond the fictional realm into non-fiction as well. Watching how things are made, how buildings came to exist, how food dishes are created, those are all equally as enjoyable to me. I mean, how cool is it to watch videos of craftspeople who transform pinecones into a bowl or a lamp? Watching it step by step, going on this journey and then seeing the final reveal is fabulous. Do I watch too many of such videos? No, not even possible. Jokes, but still.
Redemption Arcs
I am a sucker for a good redemption arc. I don’t always care for watching the fall of a character (unless they’re going into full antagonist mode and therefore will not be coming back), but I love especially a well-crafted character that made the wrong decisions and after a certain point is trying to be a good person. Note: this does not mean that they will have a happy ending. And in fact, depending on the character and what they did, a happy ending wouldn’t be believable to the audience. This is another particular thing I could talk much, much more about, especially because like endings, redemption arcs should be handled with care. BUT, and I mean all caps and big letters, my love for redemption arcs has gotten me in trouble. I’ll fall for the redemptive character, wanting to support them in their journey back to the good side, and the author/show writer has the AUDACITY to pull the rug out from me and say “actually, that…that was a lie. I’m all bad”. So yeah, I do have to be careful, not that that has ever stopped me from repeating the cycle.
Stories from other cultures
I spent a good portion of my childhood in Southern California and I believe it was then that I first started enjoying stories and learning about other cultures. Not a ton, mainly reading books here and there at the school library, or when we’d do global potluck day and everyone would bring a dish that represented their heritage (I could be remembering wrong, but I think we had a fairly decent mix of countries represented, I’ll have to find the recipe book from that time, I think I still have it) and spending most of 6th grade reading and drawing manga with my friends. So it wasn’t a ton, or didn’t feel like a ton, but I do think it was my first remembered experiences with learning about other cultures and their stories. My experiences in college and after college really opened up my eyes and solidified my love and enjoyment for stories (mainly tv shows and movies) from other cultures, which is probably why I don’t have too many English-speaking shows recommended for me anymore on Netflix.
Snippets about buildings when I travel
I call these hidden nuggets. Because for me, they are moments of delight when I can discover small plaques or signs that share a bit of history about the building. Usually, they’re positive, but I have been surprised and fascinated by ones that I found that represent a tragic moment. When I had a chance to visit Harvard on a trip to Boston with my dad and my brother, there were a few such nuggets that my brother and I discovered. I’ve included them below. But regardless of the positive or negative history that is being shared, I always love to read it. It matters to be included rather than to be hidden away (especially the negative history snippets) so that we as growing, learning people can continue to improve and move forward rather than forget and repeat the mistakes of the past.
These photos were all taken in March 2017. I’ve included what the text reads in the photos as they’re pretty small.
The 1st Photo: Wadsworth House: Titus and Venus Lived and worked here as enslaved persons in the household of President Benjamin Wadsworth (1725-1737); Juba and Bilhah lived and worked here as enslaved persons in the household of President Edward Holyoke (1737-1769).
The 2nd Photo: On this spot stood Gore Hall. Architect Richard Bond, supervisor Daniel Treadwell. Built in the year 1838, named in honor of Christopher Gore, Class of 1776. Fellow of the College, Overseer, Benefactor, Governor of the Commonwealth, Senator of the United States. The first use of Modern Book-stacks was in this library in 1877 when the Easterly Wing was added. Gore Hall contained the Harvard Library until 1913 and being then long outgrown, was torn down to make place for the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library. This tablet has been placed here by the University Library Committee 1916.
The 3rd photo: This library erected in loving memory of Harry Elkins Widener by his mother Eleanor Elkins Widener, dedicated June 24 1915.
The last photo (located on the opposite wall from the plaque in the 3rd photo): Harry Elkins Widener, A graduate of this university, born January 3, 1885. Died at sea April 15, 1912, upon the foundering of the steamship Titanic.
So those are just 5 things that I love about stories. Each one worthy of its own post (and to be honest, I’ll probably be writing longer posts about multiple, if not all of them). But now I turn the spotlight to you because stories are best enjoyed when they are shared. What are some aspects or things about stories that you love? Whether the story is fiction/non-fiction, a movie, tv show, book, or even quick story clips on TikTok or Instagram (or anywhere on social media really), I want to hear from you. So comment below and share what makes you really excited about stories.
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