The Willing Suspension of Disbelief

A difference of opinion is no reason to eat my brain.

For many of us who read novels or watch movies in genres outside the realm of “this could happen in real life,” there is a willing suspension of disbelief before we enter the theater or open the cover of a book (or press whichever Kindle button). We’re excited. We’re ready to be entertained. And we participate in the experience by opening ourselves to what realists would call the impossible…

Tonight I am guest blogging over at Celluloid Zombie about the willing suspension of disbelief. Though Richard Lamb and I disagree on this topic (just one of many), he’s busy at work and will permit even someone he disagrees with to guest blog at his site. Lucky for me.

So jump on over with me to Celluloid Zombie and chime in and tell us your opinion.

8 comments on “The Willing Suspension of Disbelief

  1. lulu on

    Funny your post should show up today. My friend’s book is a bit unbelievable, but she handles it well enough for it not to be so out there it loses it’s sense of reality. For me, that’s what is important. Unbelievable OK it pay attention to the elements that make it so and don’t let the get out of hand.
    When you publish your next week, I’ll give you a plug.

    Reply
    • Margaret Reyes Dempsey on

      ROFL!! Yes, I do. Thanks, Lulu. 🙂

      And I agree. I can stretch my imagination and choose to believe in zombies for an hour each week, but I can’t stretch it far enough to accommodate the human behavior that doesn’t ring true.

      Reply
    • Margaret Reyes Dempsey on

      Hey, Jess. I’m planning a post for Halloween along those lines.

      By the way, Mr. Celluloid Zombie is too busy to post a review but he was blown away by a movie called Lake Mungo. Check it out. It fits right into your horror fest.

      Reply
  2. Girlboxing on

    Awesome post! As for the q, my whole life seems to be about magical thinking so, sure, why not have 300 zombies suddenly “appear.” Perhaps the zombie hunter with the binoculars was so entranced in looking out into the distance, he literally didn’t hear.

    Reply

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