The Magic of Books

writer and fictional characters — Image by Pixabay

My Story

When I write a book, I create a story that is mine to tell. I write to entertain my readers and take them on a journey to another place or time. My goal is to give them a momentary escape from reality. I want my stories to be a springboard for readers to jump into an alternate reality, even if it's just for a brief time.

The Reader's Story

Once my book is published and available for purchase, the story is no longer mine. When someone buys my book and starts reading it, they make the story their own. The reader visualizes characters and places differently than I did when I wrote the story. They have a different concept of the tale I created. Even though they are reading the same words I wrote, their minds create a different picture than the one I saw.

An Example

Have you ever read a book and then talked to someone else who read the same book, only to find out that they saw the story in a completely different way than you did? That's exactly what happened with my novel, CLIPPED WINGS.

I asked some friends who read the book to tell me who they thought the antagonist was. To my surprise, each person had a different answer! Even though they all read the same words, they each had a different idea of who the bad guy really was.

Why Do People See Stories Differently?

So why do people see stories differently? There are a few reasons. First of all, everyone has their own experiences and beliefs that shape the way they see the world. This means that when they read a story, they might interpret things differently than someone else who has had different experiences.

Another reason is that stories can be open to interpretation. Sometimes, authors intentionally leave things vague or ambiguous so that readers can come up with their own ideas about what's happening. This can be a good thing because it allows readers to connect with the story in their own way.

What Does This Mean for Readers?

If you're a reader, this means that you should always keep an open mind when you're reading a story. Don't assume that your interpretation is the only one that's valid. Instead, try to see things from different perspectives and consider how other people might see the story.

It's also important to remember that just because someone else sees a story differently than you do, that doesn't mean they're wrong. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, and that includes their interpretation of a story.

What Does This Mean for Writers?

If you're a writer, this means that you should embrace the fact that people will see your story in different ways. Don't worry too much about making sure everyone understands your story exactly the way you intended. Instead, focus on creating a story that's open to interpretation and allows readers to connect with it in their own way.

In the end, the fact that people can see the same story in different ways is what makes reading and writing so interesting. It allows us to connect with stories in our own unique way and to see the world from different perspectives. So the next time you read a book or write a story, remember that there's no one "right" way to see things.