Workshop: Discover
Words That Sing
“The poet—when he is writing—is a
priest; the poem is a temple; epiphanies and communion take place within it.” Denise Levertov
Genre Typology
Threads
One definition of an epiphany is that it is a moment of
revelation or insight. As we saw earlier symbol webs can strengthen genres
through a variety of image styles. Readers often lean towards one or two genre
styles because of the insight they want to explore for themselves. We also have
our favorite style or depth within those choices as well. Both a cozy mystery
and a psychological thriller give insight into a murderous revelation, but the
details and the descriptions of each will be very different.
As readers we lean towards the subjects and styles where we
want to discover or understand the revelation the story unfolds. Symbols,
images, concepts, and themes can be expanded both in a genre style and or as a
thread borrowed from one genre to another to give a fresh view. And a very
ordinary situation can be developed into a very different perspective like the
shifting mirrors we saw earlier.
For example: sometimes we don’t need to search for mystery.
It can happen during an ordinary day. The unexpected happens, either positively
or negatively, shifting our perspective into a whole new direction. Suddenly
the ground shifts out and the familiar, the foundation, is cracked opening into
a world we do not know and cannot understand.
Choices follow. Do we get out a flashlight and investigate
the new terrain, however hesitantly, or hide away and hope the world tilts back
to normal in the morning? Perhaps a little of both enables ourselves, and our
characters, to cope with sudden change.
In the movie Larry Crowne,
when he is called into the office for a special meeting, Larry confidently
expects to receive yet another employee reward. Instead he is fired for a
supposed lack of education. Which is a total mystery to him. He grew up in an
era when high-school education was the only requirement and work experience
became the criteria for advancement and evaluation. Now none of it is
considered valid? When and how did the life rules change? Or did they really?
Although still in shock, Larry begins to build a new life
trying to adapt to a new culture for him—college. Like a young child entering
the world of kindergarten everything is a mystery. Some days are extremely
difficult and bewildering. However he also embraces the unknown with curiosity,
changing not only his life but also those around him—especially his worn out,
jaded instructor. He finds a way to blend his past and present into a rich
discovery.
Action Steps:
1. Even if you do not have a
mystery in your novel choose a situation to become a mini-mystery parable with
long reaching significance.
2. Pick a scene where your
character is pressed for time. Make a list of possible obstacles, such as a flat
tire. Have a good ‘helper’ come alongside to assist, but keeps making the
situation worse.
3. Then, when your character
finally reaches his goal, he realizes that the interference saved him in some
way—maybe from a huge embarrassment. How does that change his perspective on
his frustration?
Share: What common question became a typology thread? Was
there one word or concept that could be developed into several angles?
Read deep, marcy
No comments:
Post a Comment