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Lately, and by that I mean for the last full year, I've struggled to find words or stories I want to share here. I've been writing a lot - fiction and nonfiction - but privately. So I guess that's my insecurity with writing this month and this past year - finding content for this space.
Those of you who know me know my mid-life crisis has taken the form of me as a graduate student in creative writing, the thing I always wanted to do when I was younger - the thing I didn't do because my first husband didn't like the idea of it or the cost of it or the parenting he would need to do while I was gone.
This semester, I'm taking an independent study class. I designed it myself. It's on Appalachian novels - my current genre. I committed to reading at least the first 75 words of each of six Appalachian novels and writing about them here for my grade.
Whenever I've written about literature in the past - in my undergraduate days so very long ago - I looked at it differently - looked at themes, at bigger messages, yadayadayada. Now I'm looking at technique. I think my first piece will be about openings - and what to do with the dialect and the scenario where the POV character is not particularly well-educated.
I hate dialect done Huckleberry Finn style. It hurts me as a reader. And it seems condescending to me.
My professor for my novel writing class last semester objected to my avoidance of it in my novel. So the first thing I will examine in all of these books is writing well and respecting the characters (and the people of a time and place) while also conveying their speech or thought in a realistic way.
I think I will read only the first chapters of all six first.
This examination of technique is obviously for me. My question for you is if that's something you want to read? (I will be writing it anyway because something deep inside of me needs an A the way a heroine addict needs another fix.)
I miss you all and hope to reconnect soon.
Tonja
Sure, because whether we write in that genre or not, it will help us with openings and dialogue.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're interested.
DeleteHi Tonja. It's nice to hear from you! I'm sorry you're having trouble finding words to share. I understand that feeling fully well and is one of the reasons I took a break for so long. Best of luck finding those words :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Randi Lee.
Delete75 novels is a huge commitment. Here's to reaching that goal and getting an A.
ReplyDelete75 pages of six novels. I don't think there are 75 Appalachian novels to read. :)
DeleteAs long as the story interests me, I would read anything. I hope your project goes well and that you get that A. Wishing you and your family well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Murees.
DeleteFebruary 5th, 2015
ReplyDeleteDear Tonja,
What an interesting idea! 75 openings from the same geographic area.
I can sympathize with you having to write privately and not putting it on the blog. You have to work 'behind a closed door' to borrow Stephen King's expression.
As a matter of fact, am thinking about writing an IWSG-post for March about private writings and similar subjects.
I am curious about how these writers handle the question of dialect. In most of the how-write books I've read, they warn against writing in a way that makes it difficult to read. Dialects are hard to show in written texts, because so much of what makes them what they are lies in tonal qualities or the 'prosody', the melody and rhythm of speech.
I find myself in a similar situation. I have no time to blog because I have lots to write for the university.
Anyway.
Good look with your work!
Anna
ox
75 pages of each of 6 novels. I think I didn't say that clearly since 2 people thought I meant 75 novels. Oh, well. For Appalachian fiction in particular, there's a fine line between being realistic and promoting stereotypes. A professor told me I needed to take the "I reckon"s out of my piece. But that's how my family talks. They still do - not all of them, but definitely some. And "I reckon" is packed with meaning. Sometimes it is a polite way to end the conversation because the other person is obviously wrong.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
I would definitely be interested. I love to write dialogue but am intimidated by the thought of writing dialects like this precisely because I would not want to be condescending.
ReplyDeleteA lot of the dialect is in the narration too. It's so tricky, it almost makes me want to write something else. Almost. :)
DeleteIt should be interesting. Like going back to school myself :) That is really hard to do.
ReplyDeleteThe cool thing about this class is I got to choose the books and the topics I will write about. Now I just need to read them real quick. :)
DeleteNeat idea. I remember one assignment in my undergraduate studies that asked us to write a report (or something) on how the text is written, not what it was about. The assignment was to get us to think like writers and not readers. I thought it was a great idea/great tool. This should definitely be helpful for you! Oh, and nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy analyzing syntax and how the author was able to create an effect.
DeleteIt helps you understand your own craft. When you're reading and the author does something so magical, you don't even question it, because you're so involved in such a seamless weaving of words. But as a writer, you take a step back and think, "how the hell'd you do that?"
DeleteOnly four hours? ---> "I desperately need a time travel apparatus so I can add 4 more hours to my day every day." :) I agree, time is an issue.
ReplyDelete