As we “ring in” a new year, as we collectively return to the general physical location among the cosmos where we last celebrated our lap around our star, we are inundated with cliche. As a writer, it can be gag-inducing; it is cute like a child mimicking its parents. In the moment acceptable, but upon further review it simply lacks creativity and depth. However, the cyclical nature may hold a secret to unlocking a deeper personal power and control for each and every one of us.
MetaStory Telling
The Art of storytelling is still essential to the Human Experience. Traditionalists carry-on with literature and film, while literally everyone has the resource of audience through social media. From Homeric epics to 30 second TikToks, “authors” are able to direct and dictate almost every component of the story. A simple inflection could be the key to an accessible understanding of the control and influence we each have upon our own character development and plot.
Being not only the protagonist of our own tale, but the omniscient narrator and writer as well places in our hands the power to create the past, present, and future that we envision for our hero/heroine. For many, it will take only a shift of awareness from “controlling appearance through what is shared” to “controlling perception of all that is experienced”. Limiting the audience to ourselves, not the general public, jumpstarts the honest, genuine relationship with our character. This act of “MetaStory Telling” brings a whole new value to “New Year, New Me”.
Symbolism and Metaphor
Symbolism (n.) - the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities; symbolic meaning attributed to natural objects or facts
Metaphor (n.) - a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable
So our planet circles the sun? So December 31 becomes January 1? We are the same person we were the day before. Maybe a little more tired, maybe a little more rejuvenated, maybe with new goals and aspirations with new life breathed into them. Let’s use this as authors of our stories! Let’s not stop at the cliches and the hashtags. Let’s not leave it to chance or stamina to find out if we will find our successes. As we can extend the metaphor of our calendar changing to parallel the birth, growth, death, and rebirth of a character, let’s acknowledge the symbolism of the moment to “begin a new chapter”.
Giving yourself a fresh start is only harmful if you ignore from whence you have come. By depleting your protagonist (you) of the trials and tribulations, the victories and failures, the Rom-Com/Horror/Holiday/Action/Silent-Film storylines that you have experienced, you erase the character development, you take away from the richness and likability of your character. Remember, this has nothing to do with ANYONE but YOURSELF! The consideration, however, of how invested you are in your story will continue to influence and possibly determine that path your plot takes on a daily basis.
Manifestation vs. MetaStory Telling
Manifestation seems “en vogue”, but is this not just story telling without the effort of literary development? How rewarding is it for our hero/heroine to just be given the keys to successful conflict resolution? How relatable to see a protagonist overcome nothing to receive the greatest of gifts? Having goals and outcomes are essential to telling a good story, but those characters we cry for, those characters we cheer for, those characters we accompany through their journeys are ones that we can connect with. Why cheat yourself out of the connection with yourself, as your own character in your own story?
Cliche Away
So as I pull back from my first post of the new year, I can’t help but recognize the metacliche. I am still saying, “New Year, New You”, I am still promoting the use of an insignificant moment to ignite a significant response. The greatest advice has already been given. Different cultures, different philosophers, different translations have all imparted upon us the greatest of human knowledge. It seems however that it is in slight refinement that many find their true calling, their ultimate power in their own life. I consider myself a storyteller and have practiced and refined my craft for years. It is not an unobtainable skill, in fact more of us are storytellers now than may have ever existed before in the history of mankind. Maybe we simply need a push to shift our intended audience. Maybe we simply need to know that we can write our own story, we can manipulate our own plot, we can be our own hero/heroine.
Happy New Year and Happy Writing,
Own Your I