Subtleties

"Stories thrive on specifics. The human imagination craves color, detail, and the illusion of reality. Even though a comedy could take place in any decade, the specifics and experiences change depending on the decade selected. It's important that stories take place in a specific time, place, and world."

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Matt Kowalski: Listen, do you want to go back, or do you want to stay here?
[there's a pause as they look at each other]
Matt Kowalski: I get it, it's nice up here.
[he starts turning off the lights]
Matt Kowalski: You can just shut down all the systems, turn out all the lights and just close your eyes and tune out everybody. There's nobody up here that can hurt you. It's safe. Then what's the point of going on? What's the point of living?
[there's a pause as Ryan takes in what he's saying]
Matt Kowalski: Your kid died. Doesn't get any rougher than that. But still, it's a matter of what you do now. If you decide to go, then you gotta just get on with it. Sit back, enjoy the ride. You gotta plant both your feet on the ground and start livin' life.
[Ryan closes her eyes and shakes her head]
Ryan Stone: How did you get here?
Matt Kowalski: I'm telling you, it's a hell of a story. Hey, Ryan?
Ryan Stone: What?
Matt Kowalski: It's time to go home.

-Gravity

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Writing, like therapy, is about the specifics. The subtleties that go unnoticed at a glace. The dots that make the picture. They need to hold meaning. So we find them. Learn about them. Choose to keep them or forget them. In order for a story to be meaningful to someone, they have to relate to the small things. They have to reminisce about the small parts. That's the only way we can appreciate the whole.