Blog 8 – Barbara
Practicing what Others Preach
I’ve learned so much from the course’s readings! From my three top favorite books, Hedgehog, Prince, and Olive, I now want to experiment with different points of view, to present thought-provoking material, to use richer language, to use stronger poetic prose, and to mix more genres in one narration. Furthermore, all three of my top-rankers delve heavily into psychology, each in a different way. I want to incorporate that into my novel as well as into my creative nonfiction. Finally, I see that attracting the interest with a curious title like Hedgehog must bring in more readers, especially when accompanied by good book cover graphics. I’ll use more imagination with my titles.
In connection with my book, Artists Connect, I’ve read several brilliant prologues by Miguel de Cervantes, which not only set the tone of his work but also portray him as a person and establish a rapport between him and his reader. Although I have been using epigraphs—sometimes original and sometimes quoted—I have not been taking advantage of effective prologues.
In my fiction I plan to incorporate more observation of human behavior, as in Hedgehog, more witty dialogue, as in Olive, more drama with archetypes, as in Prince, more ambience, as in Feast, and use mixed genres more freely, as in Storm. In addition, I want to use more effective descriptions with sketching words, just enough to help move the story along, as in Lime. And, finally, sooner or later I’ll need to give an accurate account of ugly truths, as in Tiger
Today I re-read one of my favorite pieces of poetic prose, by Pablo Neruda, from his autobiography, I Confess that I have Lived. He titled it “The Word.” I own the original Spanish version, and I admire Neruda’s superb wording and rhythm. The lyrical writing in Prince impressed me deeply as well. Like Conroy, I want to paint images of nature, and I also want to paint images of interior worlds, like states of mind. The persistent and consistent setting in Feast impressed me. Hemingway manages to present the city of Paris as a character in his memoir, sometimes in a stark way, and sometimes in a subtle way. When he relates the period of time where he postponed the pleasure of going to the horse track in order to get more writing done, he becomes a universal actor with universal needs and tendencies.
When I do incorporate even one of the many features I’ve admired this summer, I’ll write more powerful material.
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ReplyDeleteBarbara, you have learned so much! You've given yourself an ambitious agenda, and I will make one suggestion. Put the "ugly truths" first. For some reason, when we take that route, some of the other things, like portraying psychological depth in character and writing effective description, fall into place. I think it has something to do with Hemingway's advice to write one true thing.
ReplyDeleteYes, the books have all been great - and different. Melanie did a masterful job selecting them.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a good point about attracting reader interest. When I'm just browsing through the bookstore with nothing in mind and no recommendations, I tend to select based upon the cover and the title. So important!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great list of books, for sure. I agree with Melanie that putting the ugly truths on paper will often help a writer to accomplish other goals. When you are writing the hard stuff, you are writing the truest stuff you have in you.
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