Start Your Story At The Beginning
256/365 | No more editing, clipping, or zipping to the end.
You know, how certain smells remind you of a distinct memory of your grandmother? Or, how a certain song makes you feel like you’re back in the life-changing moment you associate with it?
I’m sitting in a crowded cafe doing some research while rain’s pelting the window. There are a few groups among the tables who are chatting, and plenty of folks throughout the room looking at their phones. My laptop’s in front of me, and I’m combing through my “saved” section of Substack to get a feel for something. I’m looking at how other authors are creating their titles, because it’s something I feel like I really have to work on. Based on a tip from Linda Caroll, I’m starting with the ones that caught my attention—the stuff that got me to click.
A few catch me by surprise, but most hold up. Honestly, I’m shocked to see a couple of them have so much engagement with titles that just feel really clunky. Then I start clicking through the top posts of some bestsellers... and my heart drops. More accurately, though, my jaw clenches.
The yelp of screeching wooden chairs on the floor perfectly punctuates my frustration. Everywhere I look, there seems to be a growing compulsion to over-explain things, and under-experience them. I don’t know about you, but I’d love to see more folks sharing their experiences instead of just their takeaways… people sharing with their senses instead of just trying to make sense—
To cut to the chase.
To reveal a concealed truth.
To hit people over the head with an answer.
Frankly, I’m fucking sick of it. I’m scrolling through clickbait listicles about nothing that went mega viral. Hot takes that contradict themselves without resolving any claims within that have thousands of shares.
What the hell?
I’m sitting there trying to figure out what happened to us, collectively. Very likely, it seems this has to do with the polarization (and infamy) of AI. That, and people look to be latching on to a more surface-level type of communication in an attempt to fit in and be heard. The irony is deafening. Because, at the same time, I’m seeing posts and posts about the collective exhaustion brewing with regard to these quick-hit, condensed, and flattened “after the fact” synopses.
I’m the kind of person who wants to know what happened. There’s a reason why smells, sounds, sights, and frights stick with us. They have everything to do with how we experienced the thing. Happiness, surprise, fear, anger, sadness… that’s what gets left out when you cut to the chase. Yet, it’s the very stuff we’re all searching for when connecting with others.
Glancing around the cafe, I’m watching people sitting across from each other and... emoting. In person. Smiles, furrowed brows, raised eyebrows. There’s folks sitting upright with anticipation, and others leaning in with curiosity. The ones who aren’t on their phones, anyway.
Stories matter—
They bring us together.
Don’t forget to share yours.
Our Daily MAP Year Prompt
256/365
When someone asks you what happened, do you start at the beginning? Or do you edit, clip, and zip to the end?
onward.
For more on this daily column and The MAP Year Project, read the backstory.
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