tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post1856637569767567287..comments2024-03-22T12:11:58.453-06:00Comments on Michael Offutt: Is suspension of disbelief the responsiblity of the creator or the responsibility of the audience?Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-87539185477607101112017-12-14T13:02:22.397-07:002017-12-14T13:02:22.397-07:00All historical movies have to fudge a little. Rea...All historical movies have to fudge a little. Real life is poorly paced and the dialog not very well written. 😉PT Dillowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09394481476862013009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-19850592078943715022017-12-13T19:12:45.088-07:002017-12-13T19:12:45.088-07:00Create the world and make it interesting. It shou...Create the world and make it interesting. It should bring the audience with you.<br /><br />The one thing that does take me out of films is inaccuracy. Why make a historical movie if you are going to mess with facts? Why make a sci-fi movie if you get the science completely wrong? Audiences are willing to take a leap of faith but they will only go so far. Luckily for the writers, most people don't know the facts.Kevin Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01092721842140433268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-67822594446512793702017-12-13T19:10:28.411-07:002017-12-13T19:10:28.411-07:00The suspension of disbelief is definitely in the h...The suspension of disbelief is definitely in the hands of the creator.stephen Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17659054447637207734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-45150395444204154052017-12-13T10:50:05.004-07:002017-12-13T10:50:05.004-07:00The audience has to be willing. (If you hate stori...The audience has to be willing. (If you hate stories set in space, you're going to be irked with Star Wars. And that attitude will color how you perceive the movie.)<br /><br />But, the creator of the story must create something that sucks someone in so deeply that they're not spending their time looking for fault. When I go back an analyze a movie or a book, I may then see issues that don't make sense. But in the moment of being in the story, I should be immersed. And that has to do with the skill of the creator.Liz A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16531953467834426316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-80163716298716638682017-12-13T09:56:42.154-07:002017-12-13T09:56:42.154-07:00The audience bears no responsibility. To say that ...The audience bears no responsibility. To say that they do is to suggest that every person must be equally accepting of all stories.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-56604291996815407362017-12-13T05:49:04.874-07:002017-12-13T05:49:04.874-07:00I think the author has the primary responsibility....I think the author has the primary responsibility. We have to be true enough to the 'reality' that we are creating so that it rings true to any reasonable mind. Even if it has magic, it still must have verisimilitude in all things within the defined parameters. We can't just throw in deus ex machinas whenever we feel like it. This was why the new Star Wars movie The Force Awakens was so poorly done. It made so many mistakes with verisimilitude that it just wasn't believable, while the original Star Wars trilogy did a pretty good job of sticking within the defined parameters.Ted Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022309459554237650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-45161016256701155652017-12-13T04:58:07.069-07:002017-12-13T04:58:07.069-07:00I don't think an author can really suspend dis...I don't think an author can really suspend disbelief in his own story but not every story is meant to be realistic. The point of stories is to entertain and usually communicate some kind of lesson.PT Dillowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09394481476862013009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-59089692239898149672017-12-13T03:49:40.869-07:002017-12-13T03:49:40.869-07:00I'd also say it's a little of both. The cr...I'd also say it's a little of both. The creator has to do a good job immersing the audience in the world he's created. And in turn, the audience has to suspend it's belief a little to enjoy it. When the two meet, it works.<br />Sometimes it doesn't. Earlier this year I saw a film many enjoyed, but I just didn't buy the premise - I couldn't suspend my belief - and I didn't enjoy it.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-56257429124326734782017-12-13T01:53:21.807-07:002017-12-13T01:53:21.807-07:00I guess I believe it is both. An author should wri...I guess I believe it is both. An author should write a story that is totally believable, even if science/technology/religion has not completely caught up yet. I'm a firm believer in the adage that "today's science fiction is tommorow's science fact." And I'm agnostic in religious beliefs; so many gods/religious beliefs mirror each other so I cannot just believe in ONE.<br /><br />I watch The History Channel, Ancient Aliens, Discovery, Science; and a plethora of fiction TV. I am as eclectic in my reading. I'm a firm believer that you can convince me of anything if your argument is forceful enough. My mind is open.<br /><br />But many readers, and media viewers, have closed minds and only view/read what appeals to their faith, or beliefs, or personal experiences.<br /><br />I'm of the opinion that the writer/reader experience is a symbiotic relationship; but it mainly falls to the author to entice the reader. I think an author needs to write genre specific, but also keep in mind the exploratory reader. From personal experience as a reader open to new concepts, but still reading within specific genre's; the opening 2-3 chapters need to be genre specific, but not so rigid it forbids - change.<br /><br />I guess I don't really know how to explain this. The author needs to know his target audience, add a little something to draw in the explorer reader, and tie both together while satisfying the genre specifics.<br /><br />I've read and enjoyed two of your books in your series Michael. I think you do a great job appealing to your target audience of fantasy romance. The Arthurian and Urban Fantasy themes are well integrated. Its a bit overwritten, but highly entertaining, and appealing to the inquisitive mind.<br /><br />Well, after all that prattle, I think its up to the author to entice the reader. The author must write a story that makes the reader suspend belief. But no matter how good the story, some readers just can't be swayed. That is not the fault of the author. Write to your target audience and let word of mouth draw in the others.dolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.com