Deep Writing, Lessons From an Octopus
I can neither affirm nor deny claims that I may be a Time Lord, as I’ve been professing to my students for at least 1200 years. However, at a recent check-in the doc heard an extra heartbeat and is intent on discovery. The Truth is Out There. For a few days I was trapped within this device that monitors my humanity with irritating precision. Caged as I was, I picked up this book, R emarkably Bright Creatures , by Shelby Van Pelt (2022). I rarely read adult fiction, unless it’s research. But this turned into a remarkable read. Despite all the industry talk of plot driven vs character driven, every story is character driven. Whether the plot is action-packed adventure or a slow-burning romance, readers need to connect to the character first. In the best of stories, characters face pivotal turning points that engage readers on a deeper level. The character drives the plot while the plot molds the character. We know from the very beginning, this is no...
