A DELECTABLE FEAST OF NOTHING

Substance is everything. In a story, substance is not only a necessity, it is the lifeblood that creates intrigue and interest. It makes a reader want to enter your world and go on a fantastic adventure. Most importantly, it keeps us from getting bored. As someone who consumes copious amounts of the written word, I have seen my fair share of “pretty” books.

Of course, they’re lovely to look at, their sparkly covers full of color and expensive sprayed edges are to die for. They are, in a word, enticing, but only on the outside. Once you open their glittering gold pages, you find that not only are they lacking real substance, but also originality. Pretty books may sell, but they only capture the eye, not the mind. In truth, it takes more than a pretty cover to tell a good story.

I must admit, I have fallen prey to a beautifully designed cover and a fabulous, sprayed edge, but in most cases, I was left disappointed. It didn’t fall short in presentation, but rather in the meat and bones of its story. Please don’t get me wrong, it is a wonderful trend that so many adults are interested in books and in talking about books. It’s everywhere on social media, and there are more books being released by independent and traditionally published authors than ever before.

However, and this is important to iterate, the lack of original content and good storytelling is shocking. It seems that in the midst of a very favorable fad surrounding literature and the love of reading, we have lost the plot.

Of course, nothing we do is ever truly original, but chasing a literary fad in order to get likes, follows, and money will not satisfy the reader’s need for story. For substance. For powerful words that make us feel something. Perhaps we will pick up that pretty book on the bookstore shelf. But what will we get out of it? Will we even remember it, other than to show it off like a badge of honor in our collection?

I have heard so many people say that they barely remember the books they have ingested. That, my friends, is the writer’s fault. We have not done our job, if you have so easily forgotten the words upon our pages, the stories we have gifted to you. For that, we must be forgiven.

I have a bit of advice for all writers. A fad is not a fix for a more deeply-rooted problem. The problem is that today’s society moves too quickly, consumes everything without truly taking it in, and discards whatever does not suit the given trends. I would now like to propose a solution for both writers and readers alike:

Be selective, be creative, and know if a story bears substance. When you have found true gems that have these qualities, blast their names and titles to the heavens! Celebrate true creativity, not blind copies and empty words. If we are in a literary renaissance, then we must elevate all good works that truly exemplify what classic literature has taught us for centuries. Because substance, my friends, is everything.

Keshia C. Willi