I Was Just Wondering...

[Generalkaos]

So lately, I've been doing a lot of thinking and philosophizing about fiction and writing in general. As I get older I'm more and more convinced that there's no such thing as writing a story (I don't know whether this would apply to poetry--I haven't given it any though.) I tend to believe that stories exist in a perfect essential form and the writer must in a sense invoke them and absent him or herself from the process enough for the story to come through clearly. What do you guys think? Is that even concrete enough an idea for discussion? I'm interested in your opinions.

------------------
Fetch me my blue fright wig, that I may be handsome when I unleash my wrath.

[Lunatic Fringe]

<font color=#006699>What you're talking about sounds a lot like forms. I know Plato talked about them, and Aristotle (though he really had a completely different definiton) and someone else I'm missing that I'm sure someone out there would correct me on if I guessed (heck, what are critics for? For burning of course!) And while the idea is plausible, it's never really something I've had any belief in. I don't know where you got the idea, but if you're interested in some similar thinking, I'd say start with Plato, and I'm sure you could find out who else has done some work with forms by asking around.</font>

------------------
"With a gun in your mouth, you only speak in vowels." - Jack, Fight Club

[Hannibal]

I too was going to mention Plato.
Aristotle's belief in forms was different however. Plato believed forms in their purest form were enlightened due partly to the lack of material goods. *true happiness and such* where as Aristotle believed the opposite. At any rate, perhaps the other philosopher which you were hoping to speak of was Socrates *Plato's teacher*?? I too can't seem to remember the 3rd, evasive philosopher...
Perhaps someone knows...

------------------
As miserable as life may be I hold it pretty precious...

If I lose the light of the sun, I will write by candlelight, moonlight, no light. If I lose paper and ink, I wil write in blood on forgotten walls. I will write always, I will capture nights all over the world and bring them to you.
Word And Voice
Motocross Fanatics
General Philosophy

[SHATOUSHKA]

i wonder why it seems that no one kant think of the 3rd....

------------------
~~share some greased tea with me~~
General Philosophy
Discuss This...
The Acropolis

[SHATOUSHKA]

p.s.-- there are more than 3

------------------
~~share some greased tea with me~~
General Philosophy
Discuss This...
The Acropolis

[Hannibal]

I see... interesting. well i know that kant wasn't who i was thinking of, but then again, I have yet to learn of him.

------------------
As miserable as life may be I hold it pretty precious...

If I lose the light of the sun, I will write by candlelight, moonlight, no light. If I lose paper and ink, I wil write in blood on forgotten walls. I will write always, I will capture nights all over the world and bring them to you.
Word And Voice
Motocross Fanatics
General Philosophy

[Generalkaos]

Oh, I've read them. The thing is, I don't think they go far enough--they don't really suggest a way of invoking these forms or understanding them in everyday life. Now, it has been years since I've read much philosophy, but that's my view. It sort of relates to my beliefs about muses, which is another discussion entirely. If anyone's interested, I'll hold forth, but I won't say anything until I know I'm not boring everybuddy to death. Academically, the works of these philosophers is interesting, but I'm much more interested in what you guys think. Is there such a thing as pure inspiration? If there is, where does it originate and why? How does it communicate itself to you, and if you don't believe in it, why not and what do you do because of it...?

------------------
Fetch me my blue fright wig, that I may be handsome when I unleash my wrath.