‘Controlling the narrative’. In these times of strident political discourse, we sometimes hear that phrase from pundits delivering news and commentary. Politicians and their strategists attempt to control the narrative. The stories they tell attempt to shape perceptions and create power. “Knowledge itself is power,” says Sir Francis Bacon (1597). And storytelling is a major part of sharing knowledge and creating power.
Working in the communications department of a large state agency, I sometimes used the ‘control the narrative’ strategy, not to gain power in the organization; rather, to get the ball rolling on a project. Assigned to work with a team of technical staff on a project, sometimes I would first draft a news release based on my understanding of the objective, how to achieve it, and potential outcomes.
Creating a narrative at the outset helped me to clarify and focus my thinking about the project. Sharing it with team leaders, it sometimes it even helped to develop the project. It was surprising to see the occasions when the narrative I first envisioned landed close to the final result. A staffer once commented that I seemed to be ahead of the game. And at the finish line, the news release was already drafted.
Ever since humankind began to communicate with language, storytelling has become the means for sharing information and passing culture to the next generation. In-person storytelling is very personal. It engages the senses and elicits emotion. You may have heard the quote attributed to Maya Angelou, “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”
Imagine sitting in a cave around a fire among a small group of early humans, even up to nineteenth century indigenous people, listening to a wise elder tell creation stories. Or a young warrior recounting hunting or warfare. Even today many have experienced storytelling around a campfire. Storytelling is powerful in teaching culture and history. Again, quoting Christine Hennebury, writer and creative coach in St. John’s, Canada, “Storytelling is not just entertainment, it’s a fundamental part of being human.”
Following the pre-historic, oral traditions we have the dialogues of Socrates, Aesop’s fables, the parables of Jesus, the revelations of Muhammad, and the eastern philosophers (who I know even less about). And the stories and discussion continue today in the words of writers and poets.
A good novel or poem offers both feeling and learning. Comparing fiction stories with some of the partisan so-called non-fiction books, and narratives from pundits and politicians, supports the idea that ‘there is more truth in fiction’. Some non-fiction and much political writing is biased, partial, or outright false. It attempts to control the narrative and enhance power.
Writers of fiction obviously control the narrative. That is one of the creative rewards. In the process of writing a story I sometimes find myself consciously aware of this. In creating you can control almost every aspect of plot, character, and setting. The main difference from all other writing is that you always are seeking truth: Truth about the human condition, about the Great Conversation of philosophy and religion. I like to research settings to provide factual knowledge as well, even more so as I don’t claim to be any kind of scholar about the deep stuff.
Speaking of deep, there is a kernel of truth in the conspiracy fears about the so-called ‘deep state’ and communications. My experience arises from working in government communications. A tip for anyone applying for such a job: During the interview they will ask: ‘If you became aware of a situation that you believed could severely harm the public, but instructed to not go public, what would you do?’ Correct answer: ‘Defer to technical staff’. I answered that wrong the first time, and didn’t get the job. I knew better the second time.
That’s not to say all government communication is false or tainted; rather, it is well-researched and factual, but they do want to have their ‘spin’. In my experience, journalists and government information officers strive to be truthful and factual. It’s the same, perhaps even more so, with fiction writers and poets. The ‘facts’ may be imagined, but they must be truthful in illuminating aspects of the human condition.
Next: Aristotle and Plato: The cave and the light. In a cave writing my fourth novel, Beyond All That Matters, I saw the light.
Thanks for your attention!
Forrest
(Photo: Upper Sioux Community pow wow)
