In fiction writing, or in reading fiction,
it’s important to understand that
sometimes the resolution is
that there’s no resolution:
there’s no way it can be solved
or fixed or for all parties
to see eye to eye about a
situation they’ve disputed.
And the reason it’s that way
in fiction writing and in reading fiction,
at least in good writing and reading,
is because it’s this way in reality
as well, that rarely are things tied
nicely in a bow, rarely is everything
figured out and settled to everyone’s satisfaction.
And if you want your fiction this way,
and if you want your life this way,
the truth of the matter is that you don’t
want good fiction writing or reading
and you don’t want the life we’ve got.
You want something else altogether
and you will be disappointed over and over
when life doesn’t mirror your particular
brand of story book resolution.
michael jarmer 