Tag: questions

What is the opposite of progress?

I continue to pants* this book (Carrying Light) and as I write, there’s so many questions I need to address in the edits**:

This represents the plot holes in the current draft.
  • Is the collective’s reaction to the chaos outside too much, too soon?
  • Will they really invest in self-sufficiency when Luke, an Archetype who has seen collapse before, suggests they empty the coffers to buy items that will help them be self-sufficient?
  • Will they then realize that they can’t be entirely self-sufficient, that they can’t grow all the foods they need to survive given the amount of land they own?
  • Does the stalemate at the college’s gates last too long?
  • Do Sage and Forrest do enough drifting apart before they join forces again?
  • Is all their looking for alternatives to their current lifestyle filler or necessary world-building? (I’d say necessary world-building; otherwise their adaptations seem like magic)
  • Are there enough fantastical elements in this story?

* Pantsing: writing by the seat of one’s pants.

**This story is taking about two months to write. It will take about forever to edit.

“Is there one question you hate to be asked? Explain.”

(Note: I am using the Day One question for today because I do not know what to write about.)

I consider myself an open person, and I have answered many questions about my past (rocky), my bipolar disorder (not as dramatic as the media would have it), my current life (could use a little more excitement), and small talk (“I’m fine, enjoying Spring Break, how are you?”) But there is one question I can’t stand being asked:

“Are you sure?”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Listen, if I wasn’t sure, I would say ‘I think’ or ‘I’m not sure, but’. Otherwise, if I say it, I’m sure of it. This doesn’t mean that I’m right, but that I believe I’m right. Just like the other person believes they’re right. We will not resolve this argument by assuming I’m wrong. Or assuming they’re wrong. When I’m sure I’m right and you’re sure you’re right, that’s the time to do research, not get into a battle.

There are probably some circumstances where “Are you sure?” is not a passive-aggressive gambit. As an exclamation of disbelief — Ok, that’s a passive-aggressive gambit; never mind. But this gives me insight. The reason I don’t like “Are you sure?” is that to me it basically says “I don’t believe you” dressed up in Granny’s polka-dotted dress1. Oh, so nice and dismissive.

What do I prescribe instead?

“I understand differently. Let’s find out.”

  1. Think of Mrs. Beasley (a doll) in Family Affair (1966). If this is before your time, search for “Mrs. Beasley”.