Sleepless in Seattle: Three Writers, Three Concepts

Abstract

One of the most striking facts of narrative storytelling is how specific story elements, such as plot, character and structure may remain the same, yet the story told can be remarkably different. We see this, for instance, through the limitations imposed by generic conventions and via characters drawn to stereotype or type. Yet the meanings created are open to seemingly endless replenishment. Indeed, it is narrative's persistent renewability that helps account for the sway and pleasures story holds us.