In my mind, there are two kinds of “reality”, in stories and in life. One is lowercase reality, and the other is uppercase Reality. Both are important, and one cannot exist without the other – not perfectly.
Lowercase reality operates in writing. It is rules and regulations, titles and authority figures, treaties and contracts. It is what “should be” according to tradition or regulation. On paper, where does the power lie? What should be done according to protocol? This type of reality exists everywhere, and no one can escape from it. It is the cement that holds the bricks of society together. It is also not the only type of reality.
Uppercase Reality operates in facts. What is actually happening? Who actually has the power? It also deals in the world of truth and lies, right and wrong, integrity and honor. It is the standard that holds the world together or tears it apart. Authority figures may not truly hold power. Contracts may not truly hold sway. When Reality breaches the realm of protocol, there is no stopping its force.
Often, I see different situations where characters ignore one kind of reality or the other, and the results are catastrophic. Most of the time, Reality is ignored, the truth behind the legislation. Characters get caught up in what is broadcasted, what is written down, or who should “technically” be in charge. Traditions and habits are cycled through without the character waking up to Reality. If people get too bogged down in technicalities, they cannot surface long enough to realize what is actually happening. They follow orders and schedules. They ignore their conscience and forgo morality for the death trap of written reality.
Occasionally, characters will do the opposite. They are too deep into their own sense of justice and honor that they ignore the consequences in lowercase reality. Sometimes characters will reveal their noble intentions too early and render their roles worthless in the story. Sometimes the kind and gentle, the pure and selfless, don’t make it far. They ignore lowercase reality: the laws that still exist. The soldiers still at the gates. The authority figures that still rule over them. Lowercase reality refuses to be ignored.
Uppercase Reality has power. It has the power to change and alter reality. It can break rules and start new traditions. It writes names out of the books and calls new ones in. Lowercase reality can always be changed. Uppercase Reality can’t. Even solemn oaths can be broken, but truth cannot. Reality stays true and always will. People can write their own laws and try to blot out the force of Reality, but it also refuses to be ignored. It is often seen as vague, but is also solid and material. It manifests in every word and deed. It speaks its wisdom and haunts those who refuse to hear its call. Reality is the stitching of the universe.
Anyone can call themselves a king.
Kings do not have to.
Lowercase reality operates in writing. It is rules and regulations, titles and authority figures, treaties and contracts. It is what “should be” according to tradition or regulation. On paper, where does the power lie? What should be done according to protocol? This type of reality exists everywhere, and no one can escape from it. It is the cement that holds the bricks of society together. It is also not the only type of reality.
Uppercase Reality operates in facts. What is actually happening? Who actually has the power? It also deals in the world of truth and lies, right and wrong, integrity and honor. It is the standard that holds the world together or tears it apart. Authority figures may not truly hold power. Contracts may not truly hold sway. When Reality breaches the realm of protocol, there is no stopping its force.
Often, I see different situations where characters ignore one kind of reality or the other, and the results are catastrophic. Most of the time, Reality is ignored, the truth behind the legislation. Characters get caught up in what is broadcasted, what is written down, or who should “technically” be in charge. Traditions and habits are cycled through without the character waking up to Reality. If people get too bogged down in technicalities, they cannot surface long enough to realize what is actually happening. They follow orders and schedules. They ignore their conscience and forgo morality for the death trap of written reality.
Occasionally, characters will do the opposite. They are too deep into their own sense of justice and honor that they ignore the consequences in lowercase reality. Sometimes characters will reveal their noble intentions too early and render their roles worthless in the story. Sometimes the kind and gentle, the pure and selfless, don’t make it far. They ignore lowercase reality: the laws that still exist. The soldiers still at the gates. The authority figures that still rule over them. Lowercase reality refuses to be ignored.
Uppercase Reality has power. It has the power to change and alter reality. It can break rules and start new traditions. It writes names out of the books and calls new ones in. Lowercase reality can always be changed. Uppercase Reality can’t. Even solemn oaths can be broken, but truth cannot. Reality stays true and always will. People can write their own laws and try to blot out the force of Reality, but it also refuses to be ignored. It is often seen as vague, but is also solid and material. It manifests in every word and deed. It speaks its wisdom and haunts those who refuse to hear its call. Reality is the stitching of the universe.
Anyone can call themselves a king.
Kings do not have to.
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