Read Like A Writer

There are two ways to learn how to write fiction: by reading it and by writing it. Yes, you can learn lots about writing stories in workshops, in writing classes and writing groups, at writers' conferences. You can learn technique and process by reading the dozens of books like this one on fiction writing and by reading articles in writers' magazines. But the best teachers of fiction are the great works of fiction themselves. You can learn more about the structure of a short story by reading Anton Chekhov's 'Heartache' than you can in a semester of Creative Writing 101. If you read like a writer, that is, which means you have to read everything twice, at least. When you read a story or novel the first time, just let it happen. Enjoy the journey. When you've finished, you know where the story took you, and now you can go back and reread, and this time notice how the writer reached that destination. Notice the choices he made at each chapter, each sentence, each word. (Every word is a choice.) You see now how the transitions work, how a character gets across a room. All this time you're learning. You loved the central character in the story, and now you can see how the writer presented the character and rendered her worthy of your love and attention. The first reading is creative—you collaborate with the writer in making the story. The second reading is critical.


John Dufresne, from his book, The Lie That Tells A Truth: A Guide to Writing Fiction

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Sunday, February 6, 2022

Writing Prompt: Life Throws a Curve

 


Exercise: In 400 words or less, let a character or characters fail in an attempt to produce a desired outcome, and show how they react in the aftermath.
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Life often throws us a curve. When something unforeseen and disappointing does occur, some people are overwhelmed and are swept away by events. Others might flail away in a manner that does little to better their predicament, while still others might discover an alternative solution that allows them to take charge.
For this exercise, give your readers a brief grounding in what was attempted. Then show how your character(s) react when events go awry.
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In your critiques, note how well the writer has constructed the setting and shown us authentic characters acting in believable ways. What do we learn of the characters from their reactions to the failure? Would you like to read more of the story? And, as usual, pay attention to all the technical concerns that go into good writing.

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