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Sunday, February 8, 2015

WE NEED STORIES

 


Just as the brain detects patterns in the visual forms of nature

 — a face, a figure, a flower — 

and in sound, so too it detects patterns in information. 

Stories are recognizable patterns, and in those patterns we find meaning. 

We use stories to make sense of our world and to share that understanding with others. 

They are the signal within the noise.

Stories themselves are universal

but the way we tell them changes with the technology at hand. 

Every new medium has given rise to a new form of narrative. 

 We stand now at the intersection 
of lure and blur. 

The future beckons, but we’re only partway through inventing it.

 But at the end of the day, people want to be immersed. 

They want to get involved in a story, to carve out a role for themselves, to make it their own.

 

 It is in our nature to need stories. 

 Every culture bathes their children in stories to explain how the world works and to engage and educate their emotions.

The human mind is a story processor not a logic processor.  

Certainly, we use logic better inside stories than outside them.

Ultimately, 

telling stories is the most human of the arts in that stories help us see through the eyes of other people.


And a tip of my Stetson to Robyn Alana Engel 

who left this review 
(that I only wish I was worthy of) 
for RETURN OF THE LAST SHAMAN on its Amazon page:


5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal February 7, 2015

 


"Anything I write could not do justice to the magic this author spins with words.

In Return of the Last Shaman, Roland Yeomans propels the reader through a multifaceted tapestry 


of time, space, philosophy, religion, human and out-of-this-world experiences. 

The story harbors gems of deep insight, accompanied by thought-provoking rhetoric.

Ultimately, it's beautiful. Moreover, Yeomans' words dance brilliantly - like no other author of the day.

I'm convinced he's a genius - a cut well above the rest of us. This undiscovered yet modest talent deserves much acclaim. 

At the very least, he deserves more book sales.

You won't be disappointed by this read, or by any of this author's books. 

Simply put: He's phenomenal."
{If only the above were true, but thanks, Robyn!}

10 comments:

  1. Robyn is a lovely person, with a heart bigger than the oceans. And truthful. Wear your review with pride.
    Stories? An essential in my world. For comfort, for education, for escape...

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  2. Do not discount yourself. If it brightens the hearts of others, or captures their imagination,you have written well.
    Stories have been essential for a long time. . .Robyn does you justice with her eloquent review!

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  3. Thank you for all of this attention for your wonderful book, Roland. And yes! EC and DG are right about me being right about your writing being wonderful. I like it. Note that I squeezed in the word "modest" - in my review. Perhaps you can permit more confidence to join modesty. They need not be segregated. You're more than worthy.

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  4. What a sweet review, Roland--and Return of the Last Shaman deserves it! She's more eloquent than I was in my review, so I hope you forgive me.

    And yes, the need we humans have for stories is deep and born within us from the beginning of our lives. And you tell so many tales so well.

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  5. glorious review and true... I know your stuff is good, now see others do to. you knew that. :)

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  6. Elephant's Child:
    And Robyn is a great poet, too. It was gracious of her to say those things of my book. Stories of all kinds were my refuge when a small child in a new part of the country.

    D.G.:
    How are you doing? How is your husband's health? You pace yourself, hear? And thanks for thinking Robyn right. :-)

    Robyn:
    Maybe I'm the Odd Thomas of authors? Thank you for such eloquence on my behalf. Your review made my day. :-)

    Helena:
    That your review was first on my page meant a lot to me. And that you selected a bit of my prose to highlight added to the review: "“…she got caught living in between her disguise and her distress”

    That Puzzle House you are planning to visit really intrigues me!

    Jeremy:
    My stuff is certainly ... stuff. :-) Now, if only a few more would buy them! Thanks for believing in me.

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  7. Robyn is so awesome!
    That's why Jesus used fables, stories, to get his point across.

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  8. Alex:
    Robyn is, indeed, a special lady. :-) Yes, the Parables were my favorite when I was growing up!

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  9. You're right Roland. We love stories. Our sense of community is enriched by the stories we're told at an impressionable age--not always for good, I'm afraid. Each culture has their own stories. These days some children are imbibing ideologies at their parents' knees which fire their imaginations and they go on to do not such good things.

    What an awesome review. I am still making my way through your novel so I can give it an honest review. Your books aren't exactly a quick read as you know.

    Hope your sales are buoyed by such glittering reviews.

    Denise :-)

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  10. Denise:
    Yes, zealots fill the hearts and minds of impressionable children with hate-colored stories of revenge and blood feuds.

    Wasn't that an awesome review? I do not think my prose lives up to it.

    All I can ask of you and my other friends is an honest review. No, my books are not quick reads. I want to give my readers food for thought as well as adventure to thrill to.

    My sales sadly are low as to be in danger of getting the bends! Cross your fingers, will you?

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