[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f9HSm5znlnUmM9qwJmUS-PzMeocHCgDd-HYfEoknY7m0":3,"$f9Dves4lSfHwqAFFhy79c4XEHejaTu7E81K4aGB5FMZc":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},32720,"Murray Bail","M",4,null,"murray-bail",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":101},[14,42,58,80],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},490583,"A person meets thousands of different people across a lifetime, a woman thousands of different men, of all shades, and many more if she constantly passes through different parts of the world. Even so, of the many different people a person on average meets it is rare for one to fit almost immediately in harmony and general interest. For all the choices available the odds are enormous.The miracle is there to be grasped.",2,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22,27,32,37],{"id":23,"tag":24},2755966,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},294,"people",{"id":28,"tag":29},2755963,{"id":30,"tag_name":31},1772,"destiny",{"id":33,"tag":34},2755964,{"id":35,"tag_name":36},2543,"harmony",{"id":38,"tag":39},2755965,{"id":40,"tag_name":41},23412,"meeting-people",{"id":43,"quote_text":44,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":45,"source":46,"quote_tag":47,"commentary":9},395821,"Traces of him showed around the child's eyes and jaw. There was the same two-stage smile, and the same frown when answering a question. To the town women she was perfectly polite.She was called Ellen.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[48,53],{"id":49,"tag":50},2305159,{"id":51,"tag_name":52},1036,"child",{"id":54,"tag":55},2305160,{"id":56,"tag_name":57},14648,"offspring",{"id":59,"quote_text":60,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":61,"source":62,"quote_tag":63,"commentary":79},355705,"Descriptions of dreams have a dubious place in storytelling. For these are dreams which have been imagined--'dreamed up', to be slotted in. A story can be made up. How can a dream be made up? By not rising of its own free will from the unconscious it sets a note of falsity, merely illustrating something 'dream-like', which may be why dream descriptions within stories seen curiously meaningless. To avoid glazing over, best then to turn the page quickly.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[64,69,74],{"id":65,"tag":66},2101468,{"id":67,"tag_name":68},45,"dreams",{"id":70,"tag":71},2101470,{"id":72,"tag_name":73},60,"writing",{"id":75,"tag":76},2101469,{"id":77,"tag_name":78},834,"storytelling","**The Backstory**\n\nThis quote is likely from Murray Bail's 1998 novel \"Eucalyptus\", which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize that year. The novel explores themes of identity, memory, and the blurring of reality and fantasy through its non-linear narrative structure.\n\nIn the late 1990s, Bail was at the height of his literary career, having published several critically acclaimed novels that pushed the boundaries of traditional storytelling. His work often explored the tension between the conscious and unconscious mind, which is reflected in this quote's discussion of dreams and their role in fiction.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nThe hidden insight here is that our attempts to externalize or describe our inner experiences can actually create a sense of artificiality, rather than authenticity. Bail suggests that when we try to \"make up\" a dream, we're not tapping into the true unconscious mind, but rather fabricating something that feels 'dream-like' – thereby undermining its emotional resonance.\n\nThis paradox speaks to the tension between our desire for control and meaning in life, versus the messy, unpredictable nature of human experience. By trying to capture or describe the inner workings of our minds, we risk imposing a false sense of order on the chaos of our thoughts and emotions.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nTo apply this mindset today, consider adopting a more improvisational approach to creative work or problem-solving. Instead of trying to plan out every step or describe your inner experiences in detail, allow yourself to tap into the unconscious mind through practices like free writing, meditation, or stream-of-consciousness journaling. By embracing the uncertainty and unpredictability of the creative process, you may find that your work becomes more authentic, engaging, and true to life.",{"id":81,"quote_text":82,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":83,"source":84,"quote_tag":85,"commentary":9},162147,"It is not normal for a body to remain horizontal; beyond a certain length of time it attracts concern. Death and burial ('laid to rest') are seen as the natural horizontal states, which is surely why the calculated falsity of perpendicular deaths, such as hangings, crucifixions, burnings at the stakes, etc. produce such indelible shock.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[86,91,96],{"id":87,"tag":88},1044964,{"id":89,"tag_name":90},120,"depression",{"id":92,"tag":93},1044966,{"id":94,"tag_name":95},385,"irony",{"id":97,"tag":98},1044963,{"id":99,"tag_name":100},8802,"death-and-dying",{"currentPage":102,"totalPages":102,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":103},1,10]