While each type of fossilization is different and thus differing degrees of detail remain to be scrutinized by the paleontologist, all fossils are subject to the capricious whims of the environment before, during, and after fossilization has occurred. This paper is a syntheses of these forces as well as the chemistry involved in forming fossils. Some writers are so talented that stories and myths spring up around them about how they wrote, not just what they wrote. For instance, Jack Kerouac, it has been said, wrote On the Road in seven days upon tele-type paper that he scrolled into his type writer so that he was not slowed down by having to change paper. Organisms, like writing styles, are widely varied, but they all end as a Greek tragedy.
Every body dies.
However, after an organism dies, be it moss, jellyfish, or mayfly, it must now beat the odds to be immortalized as a fossil to join the ranks of the few to represent historic life. Fossilization, unlike death, is not a guarantee. The depositional environment must fall between narrow parameters to give the organism even slim odds for fossilization. If the specimen does beat the odds and is fossilized, there is no assurance that it will remain that way. Each of these topics as well as the fossil formation types will be discussed further.