“Suspension of disbelief or willing suspension of disbelief is a term coined in 1817 by the poet and aesthetic philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who suggested that if a writer could infuse a "human interest and a semblance of truth" into a fantastic tale, the reader would suspend judgement concerning the implausibility of the narrative…” ~Wikipedia
Without suspension of disbelief, old ladies could not be
young again in the arms of the handsome prince, stranger, outlaw, bad boy, bad girl,
or alien. Without suspension of disbelief, space ships couldn’t zoom across
space “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” Without suspension of
disbelief, a small New England town
couldn’t sustain a murder a week for 12 years. Without suspension of disbelief,
zombies couldn’t apocalypse, heroes couldn’t save the world, cats couldn’t talk,
and pigs couldn’t fly. You get the picture.
How does a writer achieve suspension of disbelief? It’s
far more complex than tossing out a quirky plot to see where it lands. A reader
must be drawn in gently as if into a trap, inch by inch without ever realizing
they are being led. That requires a preliminary foundation, baby steps down the
rabbit hole.
FANTASY FAIRY KITTEN CATS
by Artist Cyra R. Cancel
In my sci-fantasy series, Cat Seasons, I need my reader
to believe cats can save the world from alien and otherworldly threats. To do
that, I first must convince my reader that cats can talk - within the first chapter!
I personally have no problem accepting miraculous cat behavior – I wait
longingly for Tinkerbelle or Little or Red to say something! Anything! It
doesn’t have to be profound or prophetic, just a hi, how are you would be fine - but some readers need more
convincing. It turns out my protagonist does, too. As the cats convince her,
they convince the reader as well. It’s not just dialogue, though – “Hi, I’m a
talking cat” doesn’t cut it. There has to be more. Environment, a dream-like
state, an intense sensitivity to scents and sounds, and a sprinkle of deviant moonlight all help
to persuade. I try to create a picture so compelling, the reader wants to believe.
In my Crazy Cat mysteries, I parallel a truer universe, one where people work and
volunteer and pay bills and go to the bathroom. But then suddenly the path
takes a twist into the unfamiliar, landing the reader in the midst of murder and
mayhem, where hopefully, they don't in reality go.
Mystery
Cat by LadyTashigi
Suspension of disbelief is in the details, the mix of fact and fantasy. It’s in the description, both what is offered on the page and
what is left out. It’s in the
presentation of evidence that, unlike law, is not beyond reasonable doubt. It is the miracle of possibility.
Do you believe? Do you want to?
Elf Ranger by cypritree
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blogs by Mollie Hunt at:
Molly, I'm in continual suspension. Stories that seem wild and crazy, but have an element of truth certainly do make them believable enough to enjoy reading them. I'm all about that kind of craziness. Your cat mysteries sound very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI wish you every success...
Thank you, Sarah. I'm a believer, too.
DeleteI enjoyed this post and thank you for the insights! My protagonist is a cat detective, so I think about this quite a lot.
ReplyDeleteExciting! I look forward to reading your work.
ReplyDelete