The Note Devil and Writing Theory (Short Story)

"......Hmm. Come to think of it, I haven't explained it yet, have I?"

The devil sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, sending an intrigued gaze my way. I replied in a slightly dissatisfied voice.

The devil lives with me. You can read about how that happened here.

"That's right. You sometimes say, 'That's not a writing technique,' but what on earth is a writing technique anyway?"

Maintaining the same posture, the devil's gaze shifted upward for just a moment before he began to speak.

"Do you know the difference between writing methods, writing techniques, and writing theory?"

"Aren't they the same?"

"Fool. In the world of writing, which deals with words, how could things be the same when the characters are different?"

Writing methods are techniques. Anyone can use them if they know them. A subject needs a predicate. How to use conjunctions. Ending sentences with nouns or using inversion. Sentence structure. Things taught in schools or manuals are writing methods."

I was convinced. Most books on how to write that are sold in stores are books about writing methods. They aren't interesting to read because they are manuals.

"Then what about writing techniques?"

The devil took a breath and began to speak slowly.

"......Techniques are things that deviate from logic."

"Logic? You mean rules?"

"The magic we use. And sorcery or summoning arts. Such techniques deviate from the logic of the world. The calculation techniques you are familiar with are also one of them."

"Why is calculation technique considered unorthodox?"

"I didn't say it was unorthodox. What is 8 times 7?"
"56."

"You, why were you able to answer instantly? Did you calculate it by adding 8 seven times?"

"Because I remember the multiplication table. That's obvious. Every elementary school student can do it."

"Adding 8 seven times is a calculation method. There is logic there. Using the multiplication table to 'remember' and derive the answer instantly is a calculation technique. You don't need logic to memorize things, do you? Now, what is 12 times 23?"

"Uh, I don't remember that."

"Exactly. You don't know the technique, so you don't know the answer. You could figure it out by adding 12 twenty-three times, right? Or calculate it within the range of the multiplication table."

"Long multiplication, right?"

"In other words, a technique is the power to obtain what you want. It is the act of ignoring the logic and laws of the world to obtain what you desire."

"So, I don't mind the complicated talk, but what does that have to do with writing techniques?"

"Fool. If I don't explain it in order, you won't understand the path, will you? No, hehehe. That is the essence of technique, though. Have you ever heard of 'a sense for writing'?"

I furrowed my brow and replied bitterly.
"Yeah, it's a sentence with 'sense,' right? Like, how did you even think of that expression? Lately, I've even started thinking that sense is the most important thing in writing."

"Exactly. That is a writing technique. It's impossible to explain even if you try. Calculation techniques still have logic, but writing techniques have no logic. What you want appears all at once. Therefore, even people who can write sentences with sense cannot explain how they wrote them."

"There's no way to acquire something like that."

"......There is. Techniques have conditions for manifestation."

"What! What is that? I really want you to teach me."

"A vow."

"A vow?"

"Yes, you make a vow to yourself. It might be easier to understand if I say it's like making a deal with a devil. For example, a vow that 'I must write about my family.' It's a must. I have to do it. It's a word hated in the self-help world, but a vow has to be this way. If it's just 'write about family,' it gets automatically converted to 'it's okay if I don't write.' Because I must write, the technique manifests."

There is an even easier example. Daily updates. The difference between someone who has made a vow and someone who hasn't is whether they can update daily or not. Because they make a vow that 'I must write every day,' they can write. There is no logic there. If it's just 'write every day' or 'I'll try,' the technique won't manifest, and they will fail."

"A vow, huh."

"'Enjoy writing' is the same. Even if someone tells you, 'First, let's enjoy writing!', you'll stop being able to write soon enough. If there were a writing method to enjoy writing, you could do it, but there's no such thing, is there? Because no one has found it yet. That's why you use a vow in writing techniques. 'I must enjoy writing.'"

I voiced a question that suddenly came to mind.
"Why does the desired result appear if there is a vow? I'm starting to lose track of what you mean by calling that a writing technique."

"The black box between a human's ears, the brain, which is the organ that governs techniques, will search for a path on its own if there is a vow. If you decide that you must write every day, your brain will guide you so that you can write every day. Therefore, there is no fixed correct answer for writing techniques. Because the brain's answer differs for each individual. You can't explain it with methods. This is also why AI cannot use writing techniques. In the end, AI is something that does not deviate from logic."

"I sort of understand now. So, what happens if you break the vow?"

"In the case of our magic, if you break the vow, our very existence disappears. In the case of writing techniques, you become unable to write. It's easy to understand, right? For a writer, being unable to write is, well, you know? Now, what kind of vow will you make?"
"No, no, wait. Before that, what is 'writing theory'?"
The devil raised his gaze upward again, then returned it to me, and for once, he raised the corners of his mouth into a smile.

"What I just told you is writing theory. It's a tall tale."



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[Image cooperation: Sachiwa]

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