Rocket Scientist

Yesterday, I bemoaned the lack of critical thinking, in normal life, in politics, even in science and technology.  We seem to be stuck in neutral, too afraid to do the kind of pushing the envelope that made technology as we know it today, possible (with the possible exception of computers and entertainment like movies and video, etc).  Where is today’s von Braun?  Where is today’s Tesla?  Where is today’s George Washington Carver?  Or, if they’re out there, why can’t we hear them? *Sigh*

But I like to take these kinds of musing and explain why they’re important to my writing.  ‘Cause it’s my blog and I can. So, any way, why is critical thinking important in writing fiction?  OK, I’m pretty sure none of *my* readers would ask such an asinine question, but let’s pretend someone did.

Two answers.  One, just because critical thinkers are rare in real life doesn’t mean your protagonists have to be mindless drones.  Make ‘em think.  Make ‘em solve problems.  Make ‘em do things differently.  I like to think of smart and creative protagonists as a public service, or at least they will be if I ever publish them.  (I hate marketing.)  But also, why would I want a stupid protagonist?  I want to like my characters and that means they’re going to have to challenge the status quo and grow and figure stuff out.  Otherwise, I’ll be bored.  They might even do stuff I wouldn’t or take stances I wouldn’t because, well, they’re living in a different world I am.  A critical thinker works with the reality he has.  They have different rules, and they might even follow them.  But, knowing any characters I cough up, they are likely to be pains in the butt like myself, and they’ll be challenging any traditions that no longer work for them.

But more than infusing my characters with critical thinking, I need to use it myself.  Because I, believe it or not, am not infallible.  I love my characters and the worlds I create, but, sometimes, for whatever reason, it doesn’t always fall together like it should or the word choice is bad or a plot twist is a wee bit too twisted.  Given that it’s mine, though, I might not observe it, even when I’m looking for problems.  That’s why I (a) work with my husband on writing who doesn’t hesitate to tell me when something is garbage, (b) have a cadre of exceptional readers who are fantastic because they’ll tell me when something’s wrong as readily as they’ll tell me when something’s right.

But I have to be open enough to listen, to think, to evaluate and, as is often necessary, to fix what’s broken. Writers who give their work to others to review expecting nothing but unmitigated praise don’t get it.  Yeah, it’s great they like it, but what makes your work the best is getting a read through by someone critical and looking for flaws.  If praise is all you want, by all means find rabid fans that are slavishly devoted if you can make complete sentences.  But if it matters if your work is good, get someone who respects you enough to tell you when it’s not.  And then listen.

Your work will thank you.

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