George Saunders - On Story

Summary

The speaker explores the art of storytelling as a metaphor for life's complexities, emphasizing the importance of unpredictability and emotional depth. They argue that a good story is one that evolves and surprises both the writer and the reader, akin to the mysteries of human interaction. By embracing the unknown and allowing narratives to unfold organically, writers can craft stories that resonate with deeper truths and evoke genuine emotions.

Takeaways

• 🌟 A good story resonates on multiple levels, reflecting the complexity of human life.
• 🎭 A story is a 'black box' that transforms the reader upon experiencing it.
• 🔍 The process of storytelling should reveal deeper truths and provoke thought.
• 🚫 Avoid being overly controlling with your story; let it evolve naturally.
• 🤔 Over-managing a story can stem from fear of the unknown.
• 🌱 The writer's dissatisfaction can drive a story to higher ground.
• 📝 Paying attention to sentences can lead to better storytelling and character development.
• 💡 Small narrative details can significantly deepen a character's backstory.
• 🔄 Revision is a form of love, showing care and attention to the story's growth.
• 🌱 Life is both beautiful and elusive, and storytelling should reflect this complexity.
• 👵 As we age, our perspective on storytelling should evolve, embracing new experiences.

Q & A

What does the speaker believe makes a story good?

A good story, according to the speaker, is one that operates on multiple levels and allows for a deeper understanding of the human experience in life.

How does the speaker describe the experience of a reader with a story?

The speaker describes the reader's experience as being inside a 'black box', where they spend time with the story and emerge with a sense of having glimpsed a deeper truth.

What does the speaker suggest is a sign of a bad story?

A bad story is one where the outcome is predictable and the reader's experience is controlled, similar to someone on a date with a person who follows a script.

Why does the speaker think writers might over-control their material?

Writers might over-control their material because it is scary not to know where the story is going, just as it is scary to be in a situation with unknown outcomes.

What is the speaker's approach to storytelling?

The speaker advocates for an approach where the writer has a general idea of the story but allows room for the story to evolve and surprise them.

How does the speaker suggest a writer can improve their story?

The speaker suggests that a writer can improve their story by paying attention to their own dissatisfaction with it and using that to push the story to a higher level.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'Frank snapped at the barista'?

The speaker uses 'Frank snapped at the barista' as an example of how a small action can reveal deeper character traits, such as Frank's unresolved feelings towards his deceased wife.

How does the speaker view the process of revising a story?

The speaker views the process of revising a story as an act of love, where the writer continually returns to the story to understand its 'real expansiveness'.

What does the speaker suggest about the nature of life and storytelling?

The speaker suggests that life, like storytelling, is beautiful and hard to pin down, and that the process of writing a story is about keeping an open mind and being mystified.

How does the speaker encourage writers to approach their craft?

The speaker encourages writers to approach their craft with a sense of wonder and to treat each story as a fresh experience, regardless of their age or experience.

What is the speaker's advice for writers as they grow older?

The speaker's advice for older writers is to continue to see the world as fresh and to create something beautiful, despite their age.