In my most recent writings, it seems that I approach the story from the first person point of view. Odd, because this has often been a more difficult manner for me as it becomes a more intimate entering of the character. Without remaining just “me” I must draw on my own feelings and experience but in situations that are not reality based in my own life. I also have never been a great fan of reading first person stories as I become quite stubborn about accepting what is being read as part of my own reality. Lately however, after reading highly skilled writers such as Munro, Olsen, Borges, Allison among others, something has made me more receptive to this element.
In “A Seasonal Life” the opening sentence was set down within minutes of a personal experience—one of those times when poetry comes through the mind when mindlessly looking about at the world around you. A couple days later, I went back and added what became the first paragraph in what seemed a natural flow of words. Spurred on again, the narrator’s story began, and I’ve no idea who she is.
I am attempting a technique in switching the narrator’s thoughts from direct mental conversation with her family members on her feelings, to a description to the reader of what is currently going on—a mental transition from reverie to action. It came naturally when the narrator approaches her oldest son, Christopher, and became a more conscious writing effort from there. I’m not sure if it works, and would appreciate any comments as to whether it is effective or merely confusing.
Reading is definitely a stirring up of the mind to want to write. Sort of like having a conversation with a friend and thinking, “Well, you wanna know what happened to me…”
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology