She brought to the stage her best ammunition: her story. It was told honestly and simply, and chronicled getting a lung transplant from a young man named Kyle.
On Sunday I found a copy of one of my favorite books, George R. R. Martin's Fevre Dream. I found it at my favorite bookstore, Half Price Books (the Delmar one, baby--the fifth-largest one in the country!). It made me think of the battle that takes place in this novel (which is soooo much shorter than his G o T books).
If I tell you there are vampires in this book, don't be instantly dismissive. I don't read Anne Rice's novels (although perhaps I should). I definitely never did the Twilight books. Fevre Dream does have a vampire as a main character, but the story is so much more than thirsting after blood. It's the riverboat trade, indigo plantations, and a friendship between a riverboat captain and vampire.
I'm currently working (yes, still) on my WIP that's affectionately called my NIP (nightmare in progress). I hope I'm bringing my best ammo when I sit in front of my laptop. There's a part in Pat Conroy's South of Broad that brought my first-of-several epiphanies while working on this female-dog of a project. I thought I knew exactly where it was in Conroy's novel, I thought I noted the page number somewhere, I thought I remembered it clearly enough to mirror one single Conroy-crafted remark in my manuscript...
But apparently not, because now I've resigned myself to rereading the book and putting the page number on a billboard--'cause I don't want to prove true the "third time's a charm" phrase.
I began this piece of writing with several for-sures. I knew for sure who the main characters were--the WWWPs. I knew for sure how it would end. And in the writing, things have changed. The characters have become fictionalized, and the ending is not what I was planning on.
It seems the characters are in the driver's seat, not me.
If you tell me what is your best weapon as a writer (you can interpret that any way you want), your name will be put into a hat (a literal one; I don't know how to do those random-whatevers) for a copy of Fevre Dream. I'll draw names at the end of the month.
Oh gosh, best weapon. I would have to say, unsparing honesty. As a poet, I apply this mostly to myself; I have learned not to pull punches or hedge about how I really feel. The result is--I hope--poems that people can really relate to on a gut level and that say something many people are afraid to say plainly. Sometimes I do apply this honesty thing to calling out someone--usually bigots or big heads--but mostly it's about me telling my truth without blinking or wondering how it will be received. (I'll add that in everyday discourse, this is not such a hot idea. Too often, "honesty" and "tactlessness" get crossed!)
ReplyDeleteShay--Too often, I am brutally honest when talking to people--at least my facial expression says it all. It's why I don't have too many good friends. I tick them off.
DeleteYour poems work/sing/shine for so many reasons--and speaking from your heart/gut is only one reason.
PS--I have read two good novels in a row! "Leaving Time" (my review of which got a big fat zero comments. Phooey!) and now a new--to me--author Elin HIldebrand. I am two thirds done with "The Castaways." Apparently, she is queen of the beach read, and writes about Nantucket Island and the misbehaving richie riches there. Sounds awful, but in this one, at least, I immediately got wrapped up in all the characters and their lives. I will be reading more by her.
ReplyDeleteShay--Ooops. I read your review, felt kind of guilty because I completely overlooked the cardboard characters, and forgot to leave a comment. I have rectal-fied that.
DeleteReally? I've avoided Hildebrand because I thought she was pure fluff. Perhaps I should at least try out The Castaways"?
I'm not sure I have a best weapon, but I might say emotions, feelings I have had in the past. It helps me to write scenes where I saw a kernal of something real in my own life--how I felt at that point and to call up the emotions involved for use in a story. Of course, this can backfire when I see only my past and not the events true to the character's experience.
ReplyDeleteClaudia--I think if we have a thread of our own life in a story, it makes us more invested and makes the story truer.
DeleteI know about the backfiring part. What I'm working on--I'm worried that it's too close to me and doesn't result in an engaging story. Only time will tell...
My best weapon as a writer? Probably my wordiness. It kills a lot of interest!
ReplyDeleteI read South of Broad, but I couldn't tell you anything about it now. Not a favorite. The Great Santini and The Water is Wide, and The Lords of Discipline...now that's another story.
It wasn't my favorite, either, but there was one part that really resonated with me... or at least gave me a way to finish my never-gonna-be-finished novel.
DeleteI was in St. Louis this past weekend, and I really wanted to attend LTYM, but did not purchase tickets previously. I thought about just showing up between shows in the hopes of talking with you and Linda. You both are such an inspiration to me. My best weapon is getting to the computer and writing down my experiences before I forget them. I try to expand, color and then turn them inside out...still a work in progress! Love your "female-dog of a project!"
ReplyDeleteNoExcuses--You should have come to the show. I think Linda was at the 11:00 show... I went to the afternoon one. (It was NOT sold out. You definitely would've been able to buy a ticket.)
DeleteNext time you're in town, email Linda or me. Perhaps we can get together for coffee/lunch/dinner?
I lovelovelove your "turn them inside out" idea. That's usually needed when a longer project is being worked on. As writers, we can't be resistant to the idea of getting rid of a big portion or (shudder) sometimes we have to start from scratch.
I've read a couple of Anne Rice novels--the vampire ones--and I liked 'em. But then, I like Gothic horror that's also good writing. So even if I don't win FEVRE DREAM, I'm thinking it belongs on my Oh!Let's-Read-An-Adult-Novel List. :-)
ReplyDeleteBut hey, I have a writing weapon and it's similar to what's already been mentioned: connecting to the truth in my own life often brings authenticity to the writing, even if I'm writing about ghosts or magic or vampires. Once I find the truth to hook up with, the writing's much better. At least, emotionally. The writing writing can still sometimes stink, but that's what revision (or the underside of a bed) is for, right? :-)
Cathy--The "underside of a bed"? So THAT is where you hang out in-between your Korean book tours?
DeleteMy best weapon I think are my experiences. I am able to think about where I've been or what I've done and that helps me get across what I want to say. I like to read books where I can tell the author has done the same thing. I guess I'm drawn to that kind of writing so I aspire to be that kind of writer.
ReplyDeletePat--As well-traveled as you are, your advice does not surprise me.
DeleteVampires are okay, and Anne Rice is a great writer. Some of the best writing advice I've picked up has been from her FB page. As to my best weapon, I'd have to agree that honesty is king. Even my blog focuses on telling the Naked Truth. My second greatest weapon is all my writing friends, like you, because y'all keep me honest, I learn a lot, and the encouragement and support always seems to come at a time when I most need it.
ReplyDeleteLisa--I think we all learn from each other. At least most of the writers I know are sponges--soaking up (stealing) stuff from other writers so they can transform their own writing.
DeleteHi Sioux,
ReplyDeleteYears ago I read a few of Ann Rice's novels, so I'm okay with a vampire or two. Just last week I was cruising the Internet and came across some interviews with Ann Rice and several other authors about writing. Spent over an hour listening to them talk about their writing processes and different aspects of writing.
As far as my best writing weapon. Hmm. I think more in terms of a writing tool or a gift, which I guess would be my imagination. I've been told more than once that I think differently than most people, so that might be it.
Not to get all philosophical, but I truly believe that writing is a gift that is meant to be nourished. And I agree with Lisa's comment about having support from writing friends because along with that support comes an understanding of the loneliness, and also the joy, that comes from being a creative writer.
Donna--I hear her advice for writers is marvelous.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of writing needing to be nourished. Too often, we just want to "take" from that gift, forgetting to nourish it. And then we wonder why our writing has dried up...