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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Thursday, September 19, 2024

There Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston | Foreword & PDF

 



Their Eyes Were Watching God


by Zora Neale Hurston


Foreword

Zora Neale Hurston's masterpiece "Their Eyes Were Watching God" stands as a towering achievement in American literature. Published in 1937, this novel broke new ground in its portrayal of African American life in the early 20th century South, particularly through its focus on a Black woman's journey to self-discovery and empowerment.

Hurston's vivid prose brings to life the world of Janie Crawford, our protagonist, as she navigates love, loss, and the expectations placed upon her by society. Through Janie's eyes, we witness the complexities of race, gender, and power in a rapidly changing America.

What sets this novel apart is not just its compelling story, but Hurston's masterful use of dialect and folklore, drawing on her background as an anthropologist to create an authentic portrayal of African American culture. Her writing style is at once poetic and raw, capturing the rhythms of spoken language and the beauty of the natural world.

As you embark on this literary journey, prepare to be moved by Janie's quest for autonomy and fulfillment. Hurston's novel continues to resonate with readers today, offering insights into the human condition that transcend time and place.

Olivia Salter

09/20/2024



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