I’m reading Moby Dick – for the second time – which I’m pretty sure will help you label me as either really nerdy, or trying too hard to act intelligent. It’s probably some of both.
If there was ever an example of something creative that is also TOTALLY EPIC, it’s Moby Dick. The book is about 1,313 pages and 212,758 words, which by itself is pretty epic, but truly epic is the story itself. What Herman Melville wrote; the content, provides us with several lessons on what it takes to create something truly epic.
So here’s what it takes to go pro-EPIC:
1. Focus
Almost every word Melville wrote in Moby Dick foreshadows, illustrates or documents Ahab’s obsession with the White Whale.
Even the hundreds of pages of whale-anatomy descriptions serve to illustrate both the general insanity of whaling in the 1800s but also the insanity of Ahab. Every page works to give you a clearer picture of just how crazy the Pequod’s captain actually is.
2. Density
Yes, the book is thick, that’s what makes it so impressive to read at airports while you’re waiting for your flight to board, but it’s the density of the story that makes it so epic.
Every other line is quotable. You can tell each set of words was carefully crafted and scrutinized before it was printed, and all of it serves to advance the story: no fluff or filler. Create something as intentionally and carefully as that and it’s bound to be epic.
3. Metaphors
This one may seem obvious, but Christians especially seem to have a knack for ignoring metaphors: what makes Moby Dick so timeless is the metaphor for human obsession.
Melville could have written a thesis on why being monomaniacally obsessed will only result in death and destruction, but instead he told the story in one giant 1300-page metaphor.
That, my friends, is totally epic.
What do you think it takes to be totally epic?
kylereed says
patience.
at least patience to follow through with an idea and a thought. Instead of giving up early stay committed and focused.
BrianNotess says
Absolutely! I can’t imagine the patience it took to write Moby-Dick.
Randy Kinnick says
Epic post! All three of these are elements that I try to incorporate into my blog writing. I just try to do it in much less than 1300 pages! Focus relates to my niche, density to my being concise and metaphor to my attempt to illustrate my point with color and depth.
BrianNotess says
I dare you to write a 212,000 word blog post. Just kidding.
dewde says
I think you need to have a call worth following. And heart. Lot’s of that.
peace | dewde
BrianNotess says
That too. Great additions to the list.
Matt Ralph says
Woah. Did you just use the word epic to describe something (Moby Dick) that actually is epic? That’s the first time I’ve seen that happen in a while.
BrianNotess says
I know, right? Moby Dick is, in fact, epic!
PhillipGibb says
that’s ok, I’ve read LOTR like 4 times – lol.
I even have a really really HUGE volume just waiting to be consumed, it stands in my bookshelf proud and in defiance of digitized books – lol
What do I think it takes to be Epic?
It takes a journey – that others feel that they can relate to.
Conflict – it takes times of distress that need grit and determination. Things that when you fight your way out, people are clapping
Partnership – the inclusion of others to team up with. Everything that is Epic is done by more than one person.
And it does not take perfection, but it does take the attempt to do something beyond yourself, something bigger than you
BrianNotess says
Agreed, agreed! LOTR is epic for all of those reasons.