Because I want it all, I will now attempt to fuse the intimacy of brevity and nuance with the plot, as my characters are each in a state of confused nuance and seekiing clarity; for their purpose is one, both antagonist and protagonist: find Simon Silibus. He has the answers for a life they all seek. This is the sequel to For the Love of Maggie O'Die. Your help has been much appreciated. - Cle Curbo
Thus my use of quotation marks! I appreciate your comment about different cultures who have different narrative traditions that don't privilege the male heroic quest, but also think that this culture of ours might not appreciate "alternative" narrative structures yet. I did read, coincidentally, an article on ending poems and think it is really useful applied to lyrical prose. Here's the link (I hope it is accessible):
Love this article. Thanks for sharing. Per the alternative narrative structures, I'm a fan of Jane Alison's "Meander, Spiral, Explode." It's been a while since I read it, but I bet she has some wise thoughts on endings.
Grant--a simply wonderful newsletter. So much of it is very close to my discussion of the pitfalls of the hero's journey in the book I'm flogging called Accordion Fiction. This model has not only cramped creativity for years, but has doggedly produced fiction that is sadly predictable. Thanks so much for this.
I agree, Thaisa. I'm sure that model serves some, maybe many, writers, but it's never served me. And, as you say, it's actually cramped me, and it does lean toward the predictable. Keep flogging on Accordian Fiction! I love your thoughts on craft.
So much to appreciate and learn from in this post. I love the idea of "intensities" instead of "arcs." But I'm left with a practical craft question: how to end such pieces? What words/sentences to leave the reader with? I'm afraid I've been so thoroughly socialized in the writing rules and norms of the Western literary canon that my imagination sometimes fails me when it comes to "wrapping up" or ending an essay/memoir piece, lyrical or not.
Endings are among the most difficult thing to give writing advice for, because they're each so unique. There's the Joycean epiphany, of course (which I actually like). There's Jayne Anne Phillips advice to end a flast story in a breath that goes with the reader (like a poem, I suppose). I generally don't like to have everything tied up and certain, because I write more to questions than answers. I guess here's the question: what does "wrapping up" mean, and does "wrapping up" really mean that you have to wrap things up?
Because I want it all, I will now attempt to fuse the intimacy of brevity and nuance with the plot, as my characters are each in a state of confused nuance and seekiing clarity; for their purpose is one, both antagonist and protagonist: find Simon Silibus. He has the answers for a life they all seek. This is the sequel to For the Love of Maggie O'Die. Your help has been much appreciated. - Cle Curbo
Thanks so much! I'm glad my words resonated.
Thus my use of quotation marks! I appreciate your comment about different cultures who have different narrative traditions that don't privilege the male heroic quest, but also think that this culture of ours might not appreciate "alternative" narrative structures yet. I did read, coincidentally, an article on ending poems and think it is really useful applied to lyrical prose. Here's the link (I hope it is accessible):
https://lithub.com/50-ways-to-end-a-poem/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Lit%20Hub%20Daily:%20April%2012%2C%202024&utm_term=lithub_master_list
Love this article. Thanks for sharing. Per the alternative narrative structures, I'm a fan of Jane Alison's "Meander, Spiral, Explode." It's been a while since I read it, but I bet she has some wise thoughts on endings.
Grant--a simply wonderful newsletter. So much of it is very close to my discussion of the pitfalls of the hero's journey in the book I'm flogging called Accordion Fiction. This model has not only cramped creativity for years, but has doggedly produced fiction that is sadly predictable. Thanks so much for this.
I agree, Thaisa. I'm sure that model serves some, maybe many, writers, but it's never served me. And, as you say, it's actually cramped me, and it does lean toward the predictable. Keep flogging on Accordian Fiction! I love your thoughts on craft.
So much to appreciate and learn from in this post. I love the idea of "intensities" instead of "arcs." But I'm left with a practical craft question: how to end such pieces? What words/sentences to leave the reader with? I'm afraid I've been so thoroughly socialized in the writing rules and norms of the Western literary canon that my imagination sometimes fails me when it comes to "wrapping up" or ending an essay/memoir piece, lyrical or not.
Endings are among the most difficult thing to give writing advice for, because they're each so unique. There's the Joycean epiphany, of course (which I actually like). There's Jayne Anne Phillips advice to end a flast story in a breath that goes with the reader (like a poem, I suppose). I generally don't like to have everything tied up and certain, because I write more to questions than answers. I guess here's the question: what does "wrapping up" mean, and does "wrapping up" really mean that you have to wrap things up?