It’s a little trickier in the written word.
A skilled writer primes his readers and builds
a crescendo leading up to the parts that require
an imagination stretcher. Some authors are very
good at it.
I’ve been reviewing mysteries for a few years
and have seen story after story with impossible
plots become big sellers. My question is, “When
will the public get tired of it? When will they
demand reality?” Conventional wisdom says, “Probably
never.” People read mystery fiction to escape
reality and that’s a thirst that is very difficult
to quench. The wise writer provides that escape.
When I write, I always strive for a little
more reality. I guess it’s just a personal preference
but I have an easier time accepting a story
that is supported by logic and explained in
credible terms. I’m the type who prefers neat
packages with no ambiguous motives.
I once had an editor tell me that my eighty
thousand word manuscript was too unbelievable
because it had three coincidences in it. Talk
about a nitpicker! I have reviewed several highly
rated novels that have had dozens of coincidences
in them but nobody was complaining because the
author was a well established and successful
writer.
What it really boils down to though is, “Were
you entertained and did you enjoy the story?”
Satisfied customers; that’s what all authors
are shooting for.