7. Metafictional Epic Narrative

In my first post I challenged you for The Great American Novel. Absurd, I know, but there is a story I wish to share with you. To tell my story to its fullest capacity and efficacy,  I have to challenge your understanding of what constitutes a Great American Novel. However, I want to retain a strong sense of transparency with you wherever, and whenever possible so in this blog post I’d like to break down the different components, and main conflicts I envision for my story.  

Metafiction – Before I explained that I picture The Great American Novel as an epic metafictional narrative, and it’s true, I really do. I hope this doesn’t alarm or confuse you, but lines have been blurred in our storytelling, identities, and the communicational model between communicator and audience. The internet and social media have become quite powerful tools both in terms of how we connect and understand each other, and the stories we consume. I’ll explain more about the existence of digital identities, personas and our authentic identities and how they relate with one another later. But I believe that due to our advancements in communication we’ve also been granted the opportunity to tell stories in new unforeseen ways. Those lines will be blurred for my story too mainly dealing with the idea of show and tell. I believe in order to achieve The Great American Novel, we have to break the fourth wall. I am telling you, and making it clear to all of you that I want to achieve it because it plays a role in the story I am telling you. 

Character vs. Self – I can’t stress enough to you that I don’t believe that my vision for The Great American Novel is not, and should not be a competition with other writers or novelists. How the idea has been perpetuated through our society is only another detail to the story. Whether or not I actually write and complete The Dream Series is something to be considered. I actually have to do it. To me, challenging all for the title of The Great American Novel is not only a reflection of how we transformed the idea over time, but also a declaration I’ve made to challenge myself. This will always remain a challenge for me, and the expectations I’ve set for myself. 

Character vs. Society – In my first blog post I challenged you for The Great American Novel. My use of the second point of view was intentional for two reasons. I challenge both you, as a reader and the entirety of American society. Whether or not you believe me when I tell you I will tell a story that achieves the idea of The Great American Novel is your choice to make. I am not allowed to make that choice. But it is a major focal point of my story that I challenge each and every one of you for it and emphasize that belief as The Dream Series is completed. Your reactions to my rhetoric will also become a component of the story, one I’m interested to see. You can say whatever you’d like, but my task isn’t simply to have you read and say whether or not I achieve my goal. I want you to feel immersed in the story, because reactions to what I say will actually correlate with my story. My task isn’t to make you another character in this story either, it’s to make you the hero.

Character vs. Fate – Now with social media and the internet, I have the chance to both document, and narrate my story and the journey of its completion for any and everyone to see. This is essential for my story and our time together because I believe The Great American Novel should have elements be a self-fulfilling prophecy. I’m comfortable with the future deciding my fate. Everything I write or disclose with you during the completion and publication of The Dream Series should have the ability of being read back as narration for future readers. 

Epic Narrative – There are few different characteristics consistent with epic narratives that will also play a role in the story I plan to tell. 

Vast Setting – Both the real physical world and the internet, are enormous in setting and I will do my best to be equally available in both. Our interactions no matter on or offline with each other are absolutely critical for the story. 

Quest or Journey – I don’t believe there’s any way The Great American Novel can be achieved in a single book. That’s why The Dream Series will be completed in twelve parts, nothing more, nothing less. I understand The Great American Novel itself as a journey, or even as a quest. The Dream Series in completion will be the conclusion of my journey to achieve The Great American Novel.

Character vs. Supernatural – Just like any other epic narrative, there are supernatural forces intertwined within this story. God, the Devil, Time, Death are all the major supernatural forces that will play a significant role in both my discourse and work. There are others including destiny and fate, but those are integral to the story structure of The Dream Series. 

Heroic Deeds- I must continue stressing that my task has two essential parts besides challenging you for The Great American Novel and completing The Dream Series. Creating an epic narrative to run parallel along the myth of The Great American Novel, in which you the reader are the hero. While my task won’t qualify as a heroic deed, it’s you, and how you become the hero of this epic narrative that will. Remember, my aim is to tell a story that is great because of you.

Writer retains objectivity – Throughout the completion and publication of The Dream Series, I will always strive to maintain objectivity. I will never tell you that I’ve written or achieved the Great American Novel. I can only challenge you for it, or say that I will achieve it throughout the completion of the series.