Tension. Action. Detail. Tactail?

I was writing a section where my main character, who was on the run, came back to his home town. I was juggling with the amount of detail to put in and I was not overly sure I had the balance right.

I started like this:







As you can see, lots of detail and, I hope some atmosphere.

Next, there was the matter of moving the plot on. The reader did not really know what was happening. This was a deliberate choice as I wanted to demonstrate the chaos in the character's head. Once the plan became clear to him so the reader would know. A subsequent paragraph had more narrative, chronological detail:


I needed to move this on so when I developed it a bit, I got to writing this:
 
 As you can see, more action, trying to develop what the character was going through in order to involve the reader. However, there is still, I hope, detail enough to build up a picture.

So did I achieve what I wanted?

The point of this blog post is to reflect the balance I was trying to establish. When I write, there is an echo chamber in my head- quite simply I don't have the self-assurance to decide that I have been successful. I feel I am slowly developing the ability to be a better self-editor but I know that I am not there yet. As this is developing, I was rather hoping that a set of objective eyes would give me a few pointers.
Thanks in advance.

Time

I was thinking about chronology and narrative today. As writers, it's easy to think about plot or characters as our greatest creation. However, I thought to myself, actually it's chronology that is the most creative element of storytelling.

For example, I will construct a plot where events are sequential and create a causal link between one moment and an action. However, in real life, these links are either subjective or non existent. We might convince ourselves that action and event are related but in truth this is our ego speaking.

The linking of two moments in time is a conceit, an extended metaphor. Surely they are linked solely because of our sense of self and need to bring order to the world; we make a link that would not exist without us constructing it. As writers, we exploit this in the sequence of narrative and the placement of events; even the most autonomous characters still merely act to create a plot.

In both my reading and writing, I am most happy when nothing appears to be happening. This style is often described as gentle. But, listening to people in everyday life, I have noticed that small moments are very powerful for people. They respond and react to little things, such as the odd look, gesture or word. These events are hardly standout in most fiction genres but I think, by including them in my work, they give me the freedom to explore the real nature of chronology. A handy offshoot is the ability to write about character rather than event which is allied to plausible experiences which happen to us all. My last aim is to also develop as unique a plot as possible.

What I have concluded was that the bigger the action, the more conventional the plot; because time is so closely managed it removes characterisation as the central figures become mere puppets. An example of this might be Jurassic Park. A thoughtful exploration of the nature of the human condition as it collides with chaos descends into a plot that can be effectively reduced to "Run away, the dinosaurs are coming!"

I would like to believe that reading this blog will change your life. But then I know that time doesn't work like that...

What is it all about?

This week, I have been wrestling with a conscious decision. I know, I know, I do more wrestling than writing.

But having the current work in progress was built around a character who in turn was based upon my dad's impression of himself. When I was pondering what to write next, I had to face up to admitting to myself that there is a wider meaning to this story. My previous published work has often been about avoiding saying anything much. But this time, maybe it is time to cross a boundary. I am going to have to make a choice. Do I write in the full knowledge of what this story is truly about or do I revert back to pretending it is all about nothing in particular? A real work or another whimsical tale?

Maybe the choice is about happiness as opposed to security.

Maybe the choice is courage or cowardice.

Deep inside, the choice is made but now it is time for action.

Artistic Tantrum

So, what does it mean to be an indie writer?

 I made the leap to become one but I find myself struggling to keep being one. My current project has one event at its heart and has grown haphazardly from there. When I read it over I think it is OK. But the commitment to writing more of it is hard to come by.

My biggest aim was to write a novel and I did that OK. But now I have, I have to work out the what and why of my ambitions. Giving myself permission to write is quite a struggle, especially with a full family life.

 

I think about trying to write something else; I notice that other indie authors write more commercially. But a few experiments in that have been short lived as I notice that I am boring myself.

 

I know you won't have an answer for me! That can only come from within. So I will keep examining, keep working towards my new goal. I am trying to tell myself 'Expression is better than repression. '

 

I guess I must let that journey begin.

The Flip Side

This is a blog entry for the 100 WCGU over at http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/100-word-for-grown-ups-week31/ 

Take a look at the other entries!

The Flip Side

Andy yelled.

The playground was cold and Andy wanted a cup of tea. But he had caught sight of the familiar bobbing red hair burrowing into thick bushes behind the greenhouse. 

Louder, the infuriated teacher yelled at Tyler again. But, predictably, the haunches revealed by the trembling branches did not falter nor twitch nor pause in their mischief. One, two three giant angry strides; aggressively he loomed over Tyler.

"I've had enough! Every break! You know you’re not allowed..."

The boy emerged delicately, eyes shimmering. He proffered up a fallen baby bird in cupped hands and wailed.

Coming to the Par-tie

This is an entry for the 100 word challenge for Grown ups.

You can find that here: 100 Word Challenge for Grown-Ups 

Go over and have a look at  all the fabulous entries.

Here's my go with the prompt ..

 ...it wasn't my fault...

My team duly lost. The captain said "We didn't perform today." 
So...it wasn't my fault...?

Earlier: tick. The minute hand moved. Late!

"Bother!" Grudgingly, I grabbed the unwanted blue tie, decorated with cricketers in action. Stupid to wear it for the decider; I needed my elusive lucky green tie for England to win.

I tied the useless garment around my neck with a sinking feeling.

All day, I checked the progress of the match-more out of habit than hope. 
They batted and runs flowed. 
We batted; wickets fell as hard and regular as drunks in a gale. Guilt descended.