This week: The Problem with Memories Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn
Memories are a common part of our lives and something that can be interwoven in a fantasy story. However, a memory isn't always accurate or easy to weave into a story. A small reflection on the questions of memory and the use of such in a story. |
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I'm in two different classes for psychology, one of which has taken up a longer portion of the semester and I've felt very little retention to the material, which is ironic because it's basically all about memory. Technically, the class is called cognitive psychology but the topic itself has been an intense focus on memory through some familiar and unfamiliar terms, but many of the chapters have brought up a few interesting thoughts about memories and it's something that can be reflected into writing.
To remember can be a tricky task.
Not everyone has the same level of skill or ability when it comes to remembering things. There is also the difference when it comes to short and long term memory. Even without any health conditions or knocks to the head to cause mild amnesia, there can be different reasons something may or may not be remembered. Then there is the fact that we might not always be accurate with what we think we can remember.
It is known that an eye witness might not always provide an accurate story of what happened because their memory has some faults in what they remember seeing. I've even had this show up at work when someone wanted to complain (workin in retail) and not only did they have the uniform color right, but they also claimed I had curly hair. My hair refused to curl and I certainly don't make the effort to try and get it to anymore. However, I guess since the person said it was someone in green scrubs with curly hair, it must not have been me. While we want to hear what people have experienced or remember, we also have to consider there may be some minor inaccuracies in what we are told.
A memory is something that can be used in fantasy and sci-fi stories as well. It can provide a number of things to help move the story forward. This can develop the character for the reader, giving them more of an insight into how they became that way or it can set up some of the conflicts or struggles created in the story. It can set the stage for something big, show something small but important, or even build across the stage of many stories/books in a series.
While there are benefits to using a memory or different memories in a story, they can also pose a struggle for many writers. It can be difficult when bringing in a scene from the past into a story is finding a way to incorporate the section without confusing the reader on the timeframe. Some writers use italics or space and some rely on even using a separate chapter in order to help the reader know that it's a past thought.
There is also a potential to have some errors or misinformation when it comes to a character's memory. While we assume at times that it's an accurate picture of something that happened, there is the chance that maybe someone is missing or an element got changed in the recesses of the characters mind. But it's hard to know because we are seeing the story through the character (more so in first person but unless we get information from another character in a different scene, we often are seeing things even in third from a specific character).
While a memory is something we discuss and use without much effort, it's also an element that we can use in our speculative fiction stories in order to help or hinder the progress for a character within a story. When putting a memory into the mix, make sure to consider what the reader is going to understand, to make sure they can tell if it's a memory. If it's not accurate, there will be ways to use or show those elements but it will be a challenge in order to not have a reader feel cheated when it's later discovered to have been false information. Sort of like the caution when handling the use of dreams in a story, but there is a little different too. So, think about it.
What does your character remember?
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Does your character focus much on memories in their story?
Last month, I discussed the concept of "basic" inspired by references and instagram pictures of pumpkin spice lattes. One person sent in a comment from that newsletter:
Comment by Ray Scrivener
Are you saying my story is basic?!
How DARE you feature my work in this newsletter, now I'm going to get all sorts of attention and feedback. You've got some nerve giving me a spotlight. I've half a mind to write you a strongly appreciative letter for being so blasted considerate. I hope you have a NICE DAY and enjoy some TASTY APPLE CIDER. That'll teach you to be to thoughtful.
-- Hehehe, thanks for the entertaining comment back. Don't worry. The items picked in the newsletter aren't always related or chosen in relation to the topic for the week. I find things to submit from contests and searching around the site, to help others. Hope you got some helpful feedback. 
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Fantasy: November 03, 2021 Issue [#11058]
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