Radical storytelling opinion: (Thread)

Wonder can be used as effectively as dread to create reader anticipation.

(Discussion welcome.)

Writing experts tell us to create conflict, to make our readers worry about our characters, and to grab the audience with dreadful promises. These are essential storytelling strategies, but I don't think they're the whole picture.

The question that had me invested in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (the book, not the movie) was NOT "Will they be able to find the lost lords?" or even "Will they be able to overcome the challenges of this particular island?"

The questions that pulled me forward were "What will we find at the end of the world?" and "What strange and wonderful things will they discover next?"

Instead of leaving dreadful hints that escalate toward a climactic battle, Lewis leads the reader forward with a trail of fascinating discoveries and, climaxing with Ramandu's island and the world's end.

(The encounter with the Dark Island is the final major conflict and probably the scariest scene of the book, but I don't think it's truly the climax. The following events are much more emotionally compelling even though the prevailing mood is joy rather than fear.)

The goal of finding the lost lords holds the plot together, but it's the sheer joy of exploring that makes the story gripping and memorable.

The wonder of discovery as a driving force of story is something I've heard very few people talk about, but the more I think about the stories that grab my heart, the more I see this principle at work.

I think one reason this concept is overlooked is that wonder is a more difficult emotion to create than fear. It requires the you, the writer, to explore beyond the obvious, to dig deep into your unique perspective, and to cling to hope, beauty, and joy even when life is hard.

I'd love to see more exploration of this topic in writing craft resources and discussions. If anyone out there is acquainted with any good resources on writing wonder in fiction, I'd love to hear your recommendations!