Notes, Notings, and Common Refrains

I've posted this thought before, in Christmasses past, but I feel the need to say it afresh, with new words, rather than just posting an old link.

(And with Special Good Thoughts winging their way to Terry Pratchett)

THERE IS A PLACE WHERE TWO GALAXIES HAVE BEEN COLLIDING FOR A MILLION YEARS, said Death, apropos of nothing. DON'T TRY TO TELL ME THAT'S RIGHT.

"Yes, but people don't think about that," said Susan. Somewhere, there was a bed...

CORRECT. STARS EXPLODE. WORLDS COLLIDE. THERE IS HARDLY ANYWHERE IN THE UNIVERSE WHERE HUMANS CAN LIVE WITHOUT BEING FROZEN OR FRIED, AND YET, YOU BELIEVE THAT A ... A BED IS A NORMAL THING. IT IS THE MOST AMAZING TALENT.

"Talent?"

OH, YES. A VERY SPECIAL KIND OF STUPIDITY. YOU THINK THE WHOLE UNIVERSE IS INSIDE YOUR HEADS.

"You make us sound mad," said Susan. A nice warm bed...

NO. WE NEED TO BELIEVE IN THINGS THAT AREN'T TRUE. HOW ELSE CAN THEY BECOME? said Death, helping her up on to Binky.

--Hogfather, by Terry Pratchett.

---

Christmas, in Dickens' time, was nothing like the Christmas he wrote about in his little book A Christmas Carol. When the book came out, Scrooge's philosophy was that of the majority. Oh, scholars and historians were starting to take an interest in the ancient, almost forgotten rituals around December 25, and social progressives were writing pamphlets about the horrid living conditions of the poor (Dickens among them, to make ends meet, since his latest novel wasn't selling, and he had a new baby on the way).

But all that scholarly effort, and earnest social preaching and pamphlet-printing wasn't doing anything much to change things. And then, while out doing research for one such pamphlet, Dickens got the idea for a Christmas ghost story.

He became obsessed with it, and worked on nothing else for six weeks. His publishers had no faith in it, and suggested he send it in to be published in a magazine, instead. But Dickens had the feeling it needed to be a stand-alone book, hardcover, and paid all the costs for a vanity printing, in spite of the fact that money was so tight.

It was an instant hit. One reveiwer, after reading an advance copy, was so impressed, he sent out for a turkey that very evening, and invited friends in to dine.

And the small book ended up making Dickens' fortunes, again.

...

No, the Christmas he described in A Christmas Carol wasn't true. It did not exist. But Charles Dickens believed in the idea. And his creative powers of persuasion convinced others of the idea. And the Christmas that wasn't true became true.

...Just something to think about, as we enter the new year. And think about, if you have an idea you feel the need to get out there, and others try to dissuade you from self-publishing (or whatever else you need to do), because you'll only be taken seriously if you go through "legitimate," already established, channels.

Have a joyous, creative 2008, everyone!

And Happy Hogswatch!