Workshop:
Discover Words That Sing
“I think
that finding a voice in writing has everything to do with integrity and little
to do with stylistic imitation.” Maeve Binchy
Time
as a metaphor can open up as much energy as splitting an atom. The possibilities
seem infinite whether we approach it only in chronos time, or in kairos time.
Combining both areas together can overwhelm our imagination with the result
that we often return to clichés or common metaphors in order to communicate
even the most basic characteristics.
Every
day we live in both time dimensions. We march to chronos clock schedule. We
hold our breath and our souls drink in kairos eternity. When we’re fortunate
the two combine and give us a sense of timelessness. We are infused with a
sense of purpose. And when our lives start to drift we hold onto those images
to keep us on track. Often the very common images themselves are rooted in the
ordinary and yet we see something far more.
In
the movie Hugo this concept of time
as metaphor is explored with extensive creativity, unveiling itself in multiple
ways. The kairos time shines through the literal clock-ticking center. Keeping
the clocks wound daily grounds the young boy Hugo into an everyday rhythm of
reality. And living with the clocks keeps him connected to the memory of his
father and the dreams of a new future. The clocks are so ingrained in his life
that in some ways they become a picture of his heartbeat.
And
still everyone will see this image through a different perspective. I came to
the movie version without having read the novel. And I have not seen the 3D
version. Others who have bring a different interpretation. In addition we all
add our own personal ‘time’ attitudes to the mix. And the possibilities
continue to explode into more metaphors.
How
do you see time? How does your protagonist? Is it an ogre waiting to devour her day or a beloved
friend inviting her to adventure? Understanding, and then capturing, the silent
themes adds a richer layer to your ongoing word codes. Even if time itself is
not a central theme in your story the attitude towards it can still be
heightened for effect.
Action
Steps: Reading Images
1. “Read” the word themes that you noticed when you
watched your movie, whether spoken words or silent themes. Write them down.
2. Before checking with a dictionary or thesaurus
make a list of all the words you can think of that could also capture that
theme as a metaphor. Look for unobtrusive openings to tag the silent theme in
your own novel.
3. Pick up an anthology of poetry at the library or
a second-hand bookstore. Read at random and note the effect different words
have, or not. Some poets will stir a reaction in us and some won’t, regardless
of how talented they are.
4. Keep a reading journal on the pieces you read and
from other sources as well. Write down the words that surprise, or confuse, or
frustrate you. Don’t take the poems apart like a high-school examination
question but instead, as a reader, let the words sink in. You never know which
words will become a theme or a metaphor for you personally
Share:
What word or image caught you by surprise at your reaction?
Read deep, marcy
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