On the Nightstand: Mid-February, 2009
The Art of Subtext: Beyond Plot
by Charles Baxter, Graywolf Press, 2007. I’m currently reading the next-to-last essay, “Creating a Scene.” It’s putting the spotlight on a tendency I, like many writers, have: letting the taboo against “making a scene” in real life show up in fiction, where making a scene is essential.
The Iliad
by Homer, translated by Ennis Rees, Barnes & Noble Classics, 2005. My son and I are part way through Book V: The Valiant Deeds of Diomedes. I’m struggling with pronouncing all of the names of people and places–some are so familiar, others so hard to spit out. I need a pronunciation key. I should check online.
The Sense and Sensibility Screenplay and Diaries
by Emma Thompson, Newmarket Press, 1995. Laurel Yourke recommended to our novel critique group that we read an excellent screenplay to see what dialog alone can accomplish. She’s asked us to begin our scenes by writing a treatment, then writing dialog only. No stage business at all until the dialog carries the weight of the scene. This has been really difficult, but also really productive.
The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller
by John Truby, Faber and Faber, 2007. This is also one of Laurel’s recommendations. She’s teaching us a variation on this process, so I picked it up from the library. I’m deeply involved in the process right now and finding it incredibly useful. So much so that I’ve ordered the book.
Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn
by Stephenie Meyer. I’ve read and re-read each of these books now, and continue to read them again and again. Structure was the weak point and downfall of my first novel, and I’m reading them repeatedly mostly because I admire the tight structure of these books. The protagonist, the opponents, the love triangle, the hooks at the beginnings and ends of chapters are impressive. The writing isn’t always good, but the structure is excellent. So I’m learning, and enjoying the task.
America, America
by Ethan Canin, Random House, 2008. I’ve finished this, but wouldn’t mind reading at least the beginning and end again because it has a certain Dickensian way about it that resonated for me. It’s really something of a confection of a book, but the narrating and the plot both seem to pay homage to Great Expectations.