In supernatural thrillers and horror stories one of the
parapsychologies will usually figure somewhere along the way. Clairvoyance is one of these. The dictionary
says clairvoyance is ‘the ability to perceive things that are usually beyond
the range of normal human senses’. But I
think many people associate it with the power to ‘see’ into the future. (My current WIP features this a little so I must confess I am rather fond of it!)
Second sight or ESP is one of these ethereal subjects and it
can be a particularly helpful plot device; remembering, of course, that we are
talking about fiction and a willingness on the part of a reader to suspend
disbelief.
The idea of being able to ‘see’ (or sense) something that is
not within the bounds of normal is not a new one. It has been used from the
early beginnings of the written word and tales from the classics and mythology
are steeped in them.
The main areas of second sight seem to be Remote Viewing,
where a person can ‘see’ something that is happening a long way away,
Precognition, where a person can ‘see’ and foretell something that is about to
happen, and Visions where a person simply ‘sees’ something (it may only be a
flash image) but has no idea if it’s from the future, past or present.
Telepathy, premonition and telekinesis are also closely
related to second sight.
Of course the scientific community does not accept any of
this stuff as it requires proof that is just not available. The various
researchers into the area are of the view that most of it is fraud,
self-delusion and guesswork. But that doesn’t stop the believers and it
certainly doesn’t stop the notion of second sight being fertile grounds for the
imagination in fiction writing.
One does not have to believe these things to enjoy a good
story that uses any these ideas. If you asked the population in general how
many believed in the paranormal you would get a much lower number than those
who read the fiction books and watch the films. This is what suspension of
disbelief is all about; in that, just for the period that you are immersed in a
good story, you are willing to step into a universe where all things are
possible. This is the nub of all good plots and fiction in general. How else
would we enjoy Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings?
The other interesting thing for me is that if you have one
character who believes in the paranormal and one that doesn’t then that sets
the story up for even more conflict and tension, quite naturally without having
to work at it.
What
do you think? If you make a world ‘real’ enough for the reader, can you suspend
disbelief?
Nice breakdown, Pat. All these parapsychology things are fascinating to me in fiction stories. I'm not too good with horror, but I love paranormal books. Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Yes I think it is definitely possible to create a world that a reader will believe.
ReplyDeleteI do believe we have extra senses that we've perhaps forgotten how to use and don't properly understand and the possibilities of these are limitless! x
I'm a believer. I think there is way more to this universe than we can ever imagine.
ReplyDelete(I traveled over from Kyra's blog...still wanting to know how you look 30 at 60)
It is possible to get a reader to suspend disbelief - but they have to want to do it, so engaging characters are probably more important than realistic seeming descriptions.
ReplyDeleteInteresting stuff! And yes, I believe that if a writer makes a world real enough, the reader can suspend disbelief.
ReplyDeleteOh, I happily suspend disbelief. But you're right, the writer has to be good enough for that to be possible. I think a lot of people come willing and prepared to suspend disbelief, but there's only so much even they can take if the world created, and the circumstances in which the unreal (to them) occur, aren't good enough.
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse
I think most people are willing to suspend disbelief, especially if they've read the blurb and are up for it! If you weren't, you wouldn't buy the book, I guess. I love all that stuff! There's an award for you over on my blog, by the way! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the award! And thanks for commenting!
DeleteI am always willing to suspend belief when the writing is good. Thank you for explaining the differences between the the parapsychologies.
ReplyDeleteI am always willing to suspend belief when the book draws me in completely. It's an act of trust between writer and reader that makes reading a rewarding experience.
ReplyDelete