Some stories are written so cleverly that no matter which direction they take during their climax, they make you believe it’s the only way things could have gone. The author builds the world, the characters, and the events in such a way that whatever happens feels obvious, inevitable and natural, like it was always meant to be.
Let’s take an example. Imagine two best friends, inseparable since childhood. One day, a misunderstanding causes them to drift apart, and years later, they meet again. If the story has them reconciling and becoming even closer than before, the author might focus on their unbreakable bond, their shared memories, and how true friendships can weather anything. And we’d believe it completely- of course they made up. That’s what real friends do.
But if the story has them parting ways for good, the author might show us how their differences were always there, how growing up changed them, or how not every relationship is meant to last forever. And again, we’d nod along, thinking, “That makes sense. It was bound to happen with everything that went on between them. Not all friendships work.”
This is where the author holds the most power. They decide how we, the readers, see the world of the story. By carefully crafting characters and their choices, they shape what feels inevitable. The same events can feel tragic, hopeful, or even deserved, depending on the perspective the author chooses to give us. The author isn’t just telling a story—they’re controlling how we think about it.
Think about Keeper of the Lost Cities. Sophie’s story is full of twists where things could have gone either way. For example, her friendships with certain characters—whether they strengthen or break—always feel justified because of how the author frames them. Or take The Mortal Instruments. If Clary’s choices had led her down a darker path, we’d still see it as believable because of her inner struggles and the chaos around her.
That’s the magic of storytelling. It’s not just about what happens, but how it’s presented. The author decides the “truth” of the story, and we, as readers, follow along, trusting that this is exactly how it should be. Stories remind us that the same situation can have different outcomes, and both can feel perfectly natural. The saying goes- 'the pen is mightier than the sword', but remember, the author is the one holding the pen!
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