What Would Happen to You in a Book?

What Would Happen to You in a Book?

Life doesn’t make sense. But it’s helpful to pretend it does. This statement resonates with many of us, as we navigate through the unpredictable and often chaotic nature of life. However, there is something about storytelling that seems to bring order and meaning to the chaos. In fact, fiction must make more sense than real life if general readers are to find it credible. This concept is beautifully captured by the idea that everything that happens in a story must have a cause, and every cause worth including in the story must have an effect.

This principle is often referred to as "Chekhov's Gun," which states that one must never place a loaded rifle on the stage if it isn't going to go off. It's wrong to make promises you don't mean to keep. In other words, in the world of fiction, there is a certain logic and coherence that drives the narrative forward. Real life, on the other hand, doesn't always follow this rule. That's why we find solace and satisfaction in stories - they make more sense than real life.

But what if we were to apply this notion of cause and effect, of logic and coherence, to our own lives? What would happen if we became the protagonists of our own stories? This is where the "what happens to your character" exercise comes into play. By imagining ourselves as characters in a book, we can gain valuable insights and learn important lessons about our own lives.

One of the first mental hurdles this exercise helps us overcome is the belief that we can cheat the system. We often think that we can bend the rules, find shortcuts, and avoid the consequences of our actions. However, when we see these behaviors in fictional characters, we can easily recognize the flaws in their thinking. We understand that cheating the system never leads to true fulfillment or success. Through this exercise, we are forced to confront our own tendencies to cheat the system and lie to ourselves. It's a humbling realization, but an important one.

The second hurdle this exercise helps us overcome is the recognition that the best parts of life are often hidden behind great efforts. In stories, characters go through trials and tribulations, they face challenges and setbacks, but in the end, they come out stronger and wiser. We know exactly what we need to do to get the results we want, but often, taking those first hard steps in that direction is the most difficult part. By imagining ourselves as characters in a book, we can find the motivation and determination to take those first steps and embark on our own personal growth journeys.

So, what actionable advice can we take from this exercise? Here are three suggestions:

1. Embrace the logic and coherence of storytelling in your own life. Recognize that everything that happens has a cause and an effect. Take responsibility for your actions and understand that there are consequences for your choices.

2. Be honest with yourself and avoid the temptation to cheat the system. Recognize when you're trying to have your cake and eat it too. Don't make promises you don't mean to keep. Embrace integrity and authenticity in all areas of your life.

3. Embrace the effort and hard work required to achieve the results you desire. Understand that the best parts of life are often hidden behind challenges and setbacks. Be willing to face these obstacles head-on and persevere through them.

In conclusion, life may not always make sense, but by pretending it does, we can gain valuable insights and learn important lessons. By imagining ourselves as characters in a book, we can overcome the mental hurdles that hold us back and embrace the logic and coherence of storytelling in our own lives. So, what would happen to you in a book? It's time to find out.