Edie here. Today I'm really excited to share a post with you from the Director of the Blue Ridge
Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Alton Ganksy. Many of you know him for
his novels and his writing classes. Today I want to introduce you to the
non-fiction hat he wears with such style and
authority.
***
So Wrong Yet So Right
Arthur C. Clarke died on March 19, 2008. News of his death prompted me to
pull out my old, well-worn mass paperback edition of his 1973 Rendezvous
with Rama. I hadn’t read the sci-fi novel in decades, maybe longer, still
the story and images he painted remain with me. In a recent interview I fielded
the question, “What is your favorite book?” It surprised me a little when
Clarke’s Rama sprang to mind. I reread the book and loved it as much as
I did the first time around.
Here’s the thing.
When, as a strapping young man, I first read the book, writing was a nebulous
dream, floating far in the future. I knew nothing of the craft or the business.
All I knew was that words and story rang my bell. Clarke’s Rama rang it
louder than just about any other novel. Since I hadn’t learned the “rules” of
writing, I didn’t know better but to enjoy the journey.
Now I read with a
critical eye. That’s the problem with being a professional writer—it ruins a
man’s reading. Right off the bat, I noticed that Clarke does a lot of telling
instead of showing. I mean a lot. Of course, this is a Bozo-no-no. He
writes about 4000 words before the first word of dialog is penned. Twenty or so
dialog words later, he immerses us in long, telling-narrations again.
He also fails to start
with action. Those of us who teach at writers conferences harp on the idea that
a story should start quickly often in the middle of a scene. That’s what we say
when we’re teaching. Often we ignore our own advice. Editors at these conferences
make statements like, “If you haven’t won me in the first five pages, then you
won’t win me at all.”
So new writers learn
the rules and try to follow them, certain that a good story must conform to the
mold. When trying to break into the biz, it’s a wise decision.
Still, there’s the
problem of those annoying writers like Clarke (and I’m sure you can name a half
dozen more) who don’t follow the rules and still manage to crank out great,
memorable, enduring stories. As I read through Rendezvous with Rama I
think of the guidelines, rules, suggestions, and advice given by the “How-To”
books, the seminars, and workshops. All of them have something valid to offer
and good advice heeded is still good advice. But—
Is it possible for the
rules to get in the way? Have we as an industry reduced art and craft to a set
of quantifiable techniques? “This is the way the professionals do it, every
other way is wrong.”
Occasionally, a
publisher hires me to rewrite the work of an inexperienced writer. In those
cases, I set my feet firmly on the rules and wade in with my machete cutting
this out, repositioning that scene elsewhere, amputating adverbs, severing
unneeded prepositions, inserting dialog, and revving up the action in the first
chapter. So far it’s worked out to the satisfaction of publisher and author.
But then there’s that pesky Clarke guy who does it his own way and it works so
well. Few things are more annoying than watching someone do it wrong and have
it turn out so right.
Clarke has never
needed coaching. Maybe an editor worked overtime on his prose. I don’t know,
but I do know that his technique is solid, powerful, and useful.
Clarke—he of the long
narration—reminds me that a good story well told is a good story, period.
TWEETABLES
Alton Gansky is the author
novels and nonfiction books. He is also the host of Writer’s Talk, an interview program. He also directs the Blue Ridge
Mountains Christian Writers Conference held each year North Carolina. His
latest book is 30 Events that Shaped the
Church (Baker Books). www.altongansky.com Don't miss his newest book:
30 Events that Shaped the Church
This is so encouraging. Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. Glad you found some encouragement in it.
DeleteAs I study more about the craft of writing, I find myself being more critical of published works. A couple of years ago, I reread "The Hobbit." I was surprised at how often JRR Tolkien used the exclamation point.
ReplyDeleteFor years, I've enjoyed reading Mary Higgins Clark and most all her books shoot to the top of the NYT best seller list. However, in at least one of her books she used a lot of adverbs to describe a character's emotions rather than showing them.
Still, for both of these writers, their method worked. However, I try to stick with the "show don't tell" motto. In fact, I feel I'm often guilty of using too much dialogue.
There appears to be a different philosophy in Christian publishing. In many ways, writing in the that market has surpassed the typical secular book. It is not uncommon to see the things you mention in the general market. The goal, I think, is write the best we can no matter what others do--even if that means bending a "rule" now and again. Thanks for the comment, Joan.
DeleteI've read a few books written by a certain well-known, very popular author and noticed she head-hopped a lot. Most readers don't seem to notice, or care, about rules being broken.
ReplyDelete"Head hopping" used to be quite acceptable but it's viewed as a source of confusion these days. You're right, most readers won't notice but they may find something confusing in the book they can't identify. I still think a close point of view is the way to go.
DeleteAll of a sudden I heard Kenny Rogers in my head: "Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em." The same is true of writing. We need to know when to keep the rules and when to break the rules.
ReplyDeleteGreat, now I'll have that song on my mind all day. :-) You're observation is spot on.
DeleteBefore, when I was just an English teacher ground in grammar and punctuation rules, reading was such a pleasure. Now I find that "knowing" more of the rules for writing (and getting published) actually takes away from the pleasure of reading and enjoying a good book especially by an author I already love. I hate that. Perhaps the rules make it easier for agents and publishers to do their jobs. Perhaps the rules are necessary to break into the traditional world of writing. Perhaps some rules help new writers learn how to tell a story. For me as a reader, story still tops rules any day. For me as a writer, I try to follow the rules without hindering the story. I enjoyed this post.
ReplyDeleteHi Sylvia. Professional writers often bemoan the "ruined my read" experience. We tend to analyze more than read. If we're reading a subpar book, we notice all the areas; if we're reading some outstanding work, we start to make mental notes to use in our own writing. I hear chef's have the same problem with meals.
DeleteI'm reminded of Steve James' craft book, Story Trumps Structure. A few years ago, I heard him teach these concepts but then he titled it Story Trumps Rules.
ReplyDeleteWhat I've learned along the way is it's OK to break the rules but know which rule you're breaking and why you're breaking it. Break the rule if it gets in the way of the story.
Henry, Steven James has a good take on all this. Of course, what he means is that the writers should love story over conformity. Fiction writers break usage "rules" all the time, but they do it intelligently, with reason, and because a particular scene requires it. The story is what matters most.
DeleteExcellent article, Alton! Thank you for writing it. Blessings to you today and always, Dianna
ReplyDelete