There is no longer any such thing as fiction or nonfiction; there’s only narrative.
–E. L. Doctorow (1931 – 2015)
A myth is a way of making sense in a senseless world. Myths are narrative patterns that give significance to our existence.
–Rollo May (1909 – 1994)
People need a sacred narrative. They must have a sense of larger purpose, in one form or another, however intellectualized. They will find a way to keep ancestral spirits alive.
–E. O. Wilson (b. 1929)
As human beings, we are all not conducting just one narrative but many narratives all at the same time.
–David Hare (b. 1947)
We construct a narrative for ourselves, and that’s the thread that we follow from one day to the next. People who disintegrate as personalities are the ones who lose that thread.
–Paul Auster (b. 1947)
Every great narrative is at least two narratives, if not more – the thing that is on the surface and then the things underneath which are invisible.
–Ali Smith (b. 1962)
Partnerships are good engines for narrative.
–Tommy Lee Jones (b. 1946)
The human brain has evolved the capacity to impose a narrative, complete with chronology and cause-and-effect logic, on whatever it encounters, no matter how apparently random.
–Robin Marantz Henig
All the gossip and craziness becomes a kind of sustained narrative which, in turn, can become history. It’s scary.
–Barbara Kruger (b. 1945)
That decision to commit your life to certain principles and a certain narrative, if I wrote a paper on that, I know I’d find inconsistencies.
–Matt Stone (b. 1971)
The Skeptic's Kaddish 🇮🇱 
Narratives are all around us. We are nothing without them. Beautiful! 🙂
💘 Terveen 💘
I have to ask, What is the difference between a hidden narrative and an inner monologue? I have a running conversation with myself and yet I don’t think of it as narration. It is more a decision making process and a kind of assurance that I’m on the right path. It is made of mist that evaporates as soon as it is realized….
This is definitely not my area of expertise, Muri… but I think that one might not necessarily be aware of a hidden narrative, whereas one would be aware of an inner monologue. Just my take.
❤
David
Oftentimes, it is the thought for the moment that is jotted down , maybe to never be recalled again. It becomes part of a diary of our gray matter.
Art
Isn’t it fascinating? Thanks, Art ❤
All best,
David
I love these posts.
❤ Andrew ❤
Splendid quotes. Loved.
❤ Selma ❤ – thank you.
These are great, David. Thanks for sharing! The workshops I co-teach emphasize narrative therapy, so these resonate with me.
❤ 🙂 Michele 🙂 ❤
I think Doctorow is right–it’s hard to distinguish a difference these days. (K)
For better or worse, Kerfe…
❤
David
👌🏻❤
🤗 Filipa 🤗
[…] Every great narrative is at least two… — The skeptic’s kaddish […]
❤ Barbara ❤
Writing good narrative requires investments in protagonist, antagonist, narrator, and self. Good reads, all these. Thanks. Please, don’t give me rules for conversational style. I’m jut getting comfortable with it and rules would only encourage me to walk away; it’s the only genre remaining for my practice..
I don’t give anyone rules for anything, pretty much, other than live and let live, Espie.
❤
David
Not polite to suggest one is prevaricating. So I won’t, but you are.
not deliberately 🙂
You ever sleep?
unfortunately.