Jacqueline Hopper Official Author Website

Suspension of Reality

By Carlene Havel

Suspension of reality…a willingness to believe.  A three-legged dog walks into a wild west saloon.  Putting his six-shooter on the bar, he says… Can you laugh at this kind of joke?  Or do you miss the punch line because your mind is still grappling with the idea of a dog striding into a bar, packing heat? Most of us choose to bypass our mental reality check and be amused by what the dog says.

All story-telling depends to some degree on the amazing human ability to ignore the improbable aspects of a book, movie, or play while immersed in an alternative reality. I can cry over a “person” in a book, even though she’s physically nothing more than a string of letters arranged into words, created by an author in a fuzzy pink robe tapping on a keyboard.  It seems there is an unspoken agreement between author and reader (or viewer) that defines what is realistic.  This “contract” is probably unique to different people and in each work of fiction.  While more obvious in fantasy, sci-fi, or time travel, suspended reality always lurks, setting boundaries for characters, action, and dialogue.  Any violation of those mental parameters can bring the framework of suspended belief crashing down.  Then, the offending scene, page, or book lies rejected in the ruins.

I recently saw this in a book review:  “There was plenty of intrigue, but I had a hard time suspending disbelief because there seemed to be too many coincidences and improbable connections.”  A different book, different reviewer:  I love the more dated words she substitutes into her dialogue. It gives a sense of life to her historical characters.”

Suspension of disbelief is as fragile as it is essential.  Since it’s a triumph of feeling over logic, something as small as a poorly chosen word can break the mood of long ago and far away.

Sharon Faucheux and I co-authored “Daughter of the King” which is set in Biblical times.  We knew from the outset Princess Michal could not have a cell phone, a dishwasher, or a skirt with a zipper.  Sharon did the historical research, digging into reference materials to authenticate everything from modes of transportation, clothes, and food to the kind of flowers that bloomed in ancient Israel.   As the book took shape, we occasionally split hairs over wording.  One passage included a reference to a bedspread, and Sharon went berserk. “They wouldn’t have used that word,” she insisted.

“Of course not,” I agreed. “They didn’t speak English.”

Never try to be clever with someone who has a black belt in sarcastic one-liners.  We finally settled on “blanket” and “coverlet”.  While neither of those words was in use 3000 years ago, Sharon’s right–they fit more comfortably into the mood of antiquity.

For a final observation on suspension of disbelief, I’ll quote that noted philosopher, the Queen of Hearts:

“I can’t believe that,” said Alice.

“Can’t you,” said the Queen in a pitying tone.  “Try again; draw a long breath and shut your eyes.”

Alice laughed.  “There’s no use trying,” she said; “one can’t believe impossible things.”

“I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen.  “When I was your age I always did it for half an hour a day.  Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

(Lewis Carroll, “Through the Looking Glass”)

The Queen would be royally amused when the three-legged dog says, “I’m looking for the man that shot my paw.”  Would you?

Carlene Havel

Today’s prize, generously donated by the mufti-talented Carlene, is two unique, handmade totes as seen below.

These quilted, one-of-a-kind totes feature inside & outside pockets, handles long enough so most people can slip over their shoulder, and are lined. 

To enter, please post a comment naming the title of Carlene’s upcoming book. Winner will be posted tomorrow a.m. Sorry, U.S. entries only on this one!