Writing short stories is not my specialty. But then, that’s what the capstone is all about, right? To hone your skills and create something beautiful? I’ve been reading some authors of short stories, but the one that has stood out to me has been Denis Johnson, author of a series of linked short stories in a volume called Jesus’ Son. Because I’m writing about the effects of alcoholism, this series really aided me…considering I’m not the most knowledgeable on the subject of alcohol and drugs.
One thing I really noticed about his style was his ability to take a highly emotional or suspenseful thing and say it in a blunt but beautiful way without making it seem too dramatic or over the top. This passage about a traumatic car crash is an example.
“I was thrown against the back of their seat so hard that it broke. I commenced bouncing back and forth. A liquid which I knew was blood flew around the car and rained down on my head. When it was over I was in the back seat again, just as I had been. I rose up and looked around. Our headlights had gone out. The radiator was hissing steadily. Beyond that, I didn’t hear a thing. As far as I could tell, I was the only one conscious. As my eyes adjusted I saw that the baby was lying on its back beside me as if nothing had happened. Its eyes were open and it was feeling its cheeks with its little hands” (6-7).
This is traumatizing, but he doesn’t make it so, at least to me. This is the way the rest of the stories feel. They are blunt, and they are real. Because it helps to keep the stories shorter and because I struggle with being long-winded, this has been really helpful. I’ve really been able to appreciate the fact that he has complete control over the short story, and I’m doing my best to translate that into my own writing.
But it hasn’t been easy. I’ve invested so much time in my first piece that it seems my emotions and drive to write have run out when it comes to my other two pieces. Maybe I don’t have characters I care about, or maybe I’m not trying hard enough. Maybe it has something to do with all of the classes stacked on top of each other. Sometimes I wish I could just focus on one piece, to baby it and make it as good as it can be. Perhaps it’s possible with all three. Though, is writing more than one thing at a time a good idea?
What do you guys think? Has your writing process been the same from piece to piece? Are you able to pour the same amount of care into each one? If not, why do you think that is, and is there a way to remedy that?
Having complete control over your writing is such a daunting task but so pleasing when it is attained. We are mid-capstone, and the stories are still rough. I'm finding it difficult to find my character in the mess of plot and location. But it is possible! Don't be discouraged! I feel that if you keep on reading stories like this one you will "ride in their back pocket" (as Hougen would say) and find your feel for your character.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it is good to write more than one thing at one time, but we're doing it. What helps me is choosing a character in one of my stories throughout the day and trying to connect with them, then getting to my computer and jotting down what I can. I care more about the less stressed characters because they are a gentle place to land at the end of a hard day. Stressed characters hit a bit too close to home for the time being. I'm not sure if there is a way to remedy favorites but I do know that in time they will all be taken care of. Good post!
I think that the passage that you posted showed a good grasp of realism. When something traumatic happens, people usually become aware of certain things individually, instead of all at once, before they begin to blend together again. I'm not sure what the author's background is, but it sounds like he's writing what he knows. I realize that's cliche, but it really does work the best. We've all lived our realities, so that's the most that we can have control over in a piece, I think.
ReplyDeleteAs far as writing several pieces at once is concerned, I know that I have trouble with it too. Especially short stories. I can't connect with my characters on the level that I need to when I am trying to identify with and ultimately breathe life into very different people. It's like having too many friends (though some of you might disagree). As an introvert, I find that I need to narrow my focus to a few people and truly develop a relationship before I can stay at that level with them, and then gradually increase the number of close relationships that I upkeep. I think story-telling is the same way. Maybe, if you think like Leif Enger does, if you try to identify with the part of you that you placed into each character. That way, you can connect deeply with a character right out of the starting gate, and it's a bit easier to tell their story instead of timidly still trying to get to know the character. Just look for yourself in them; I think that's probably how you can keep that level of realism in each project. That's a bit rambly, and I hope it makes sense, but those are just some ideas.
I don't know about anyone else, but I always find it hard to write bluntly without sounding like a "see spot run" book (or like I just don't care). It's such a hard balance to find the beauty in brevity without losing the full scope of the scene.
ReplyDeleteI do find it hard to focus on more than one story at a time. I find myself more personally invested in one over the other, which makes it hard to put effort into the other. Also, if it work on more than one at a time just on personal time, I tend to not finish anything. I think it's nice to just see one through to at least a solid, completed draft before letting it marinate on the side, but I suppose everyone would have to do what works best for them.
I think this is something that varies from writer to writer and story to story. As for myself, I always get frustrated easily if I am writing only one story at a time, and I feel like working on multiple projects at the same time helps keep me balanced and actually increases the level of attention that I give to each. The problem is keeping up with the deadlines that Capstone requires, which is hard when you're juggling so much. It might help if you sort out which stories need more work and focus primarily on those. It would probably also help if you spend time alone with each of the main characters and get to know them a bit better before diving into the rest of the story. Make friends with them and have fun--I often find that doing that can really help give the story the oomph and you the enthusiasm that it needs. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteIt's incredibly difficult for me to focus on more than one piece at a time, in any genre. If it's personal essay, I remember one more clearly or feel more compelled to get my story out. If it's fiction, there will be characters that I know and like better. More often than not, one story will just fizzle out because it becomes boring to me. The balance of trying to do three projects this semester has been tough, and it isn't getting any easier. Even without a lot of classes, it's still sadly easy to procrastinate on starting a new story or revising an old one.
ReplyDeleteI tend to write with longer, more academic sentences. Always have and probably always will. On revisions, I'll vary syntax by throwing in some shorter phrases here and there, but overall, I just can't write well in all short, blunt sentences. I admire those writers who can without making it sound like a children's book, but I simply am not one of them. To try to be would be to change my own voice beyond recognition.
I appreciate blunt, straightforward writing as well, especially writing that is concise. No need to make a scene more dramatic than it actually is. I really liked this part in the excerpt you shared: "I saw that the baby was lying on its back beside me as if nothing had happened. Its eyes were open and it was feeling its cheeks with its little hands." That was so cute! And it zoned in on something specific in the scene, something that could be realistic. I loved that.
ReplyDeleteAs for writing multiple pieces at a time? Love it. Especially when I am working on a difficult piece, it is really nice to take a step away from it and look at something else for a while.
i love the clip you posted here. It's like being in the accident yourself. The way he writes it, you feel like you're carefully absorbing each moment as it unfolds, one after another: Now the seat broke; now i'm ping-ponged between the seat and the airbag; now i can smell the red rain; now it's over, and i can only hear the radiator hissing. A gripping passage. i think you're right, his writing is real because it's blunt. Going off that image, we could say this kind of writing is good cause it's unchiseled; the moments are unstaged. Thanks for this clip.
ReplyDeleteWriting short stories hasn't been my specialty either, so I was glad to hear that I wasn't the only one using this as a time not to shine at an already-good skill but to try to bring under control a dubious one.
ReplyDeleteAs to your question of how we treat our stories, I have to say that all of mine are different depending on circumstances. For one story, I sit down and happily write a draft while sick, giving myself plenty of time to think of what happens next. For another, I am forced to churn it out under stress in just a couple of sittings and very few preplanned ideas. Is there a right way, or a way particularly "mine?" I don't know, but I'm sure I'll find out as I continue to write!
Wow this is so intense. I like that he described it as "a liquid which I knew was blood." That makes it so much more interesting than just plain 'ol blood and also makes everything seem slowed down to the point where you, as the reader, are watching the blood fly through the car in slow motion. What a fantastic effect!
ReplyDeleteI usually try to write out of emotion when I write, but when it comes to fiction, I think I generally try and reach deep in my memory and pull something out that is partly real-life experience and partly a combination of all the other things I've read and seen before. Fiction isn't my forte, but I would love to learn how to develop writing it more.
Yeah, I'm glad you talked about burning out a little as you try to focus on your other pieces. It's different having three pieces going on at once. How can we give as much to all three pieces? They all deserve depth and research and the offering of myself. If only these were the only assignments we had... :) Even if we don't get to articulate our works as much as we desire during this season, at least we are learning techniques to develop our work beyond our college years. It's more about the experience we are accumulating than the actual finished product...sort of. Obviously we want to strive for excellence, but when it's all said and done, we're going to write something better later, so we can rest in that.
ReplyDeleteI know I haven't been putting all my time in equally on all my pieces. I think, at least for my writing and working style, that's not realistic in this time frame. I think I work better when I focus on one or a few things at a time. But I'm hoping to be able to work on slightly different things on each piece--so even if each one isn't an epic, brilliant work, then at least I've had a chance to dabble and experiment in other kinds of writing I might not be forced to make time for, otherwise. Some of my stuff has been just completely for fun.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! :)