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Welcome

I started this blog in 2013 to share my reflections on reading, writing and psychology, along with my journey to become a published novelist.​  I soon graduated to about twenty book reviews a month and a weekly 99-word story. Ten years later, I've transferred my writing / publication updates to my new website but will continue here with occasional reviews and flash fiction pieces, and maybe the odd personal post.

ANNE GOODWIN'S WRITING NEWS

Desperately seeking elixir? #amwriting

7/5/2019

4 Comments

 
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I wrote recently how, after a few uninspiring months, I’d been infected with a new novel idea. A few weeks on, I love the characters, the situation and the potential quirkiness of one of the voices, but I’ve tried to rein in my enthusiasm to nail the plot. As one of my writing goals of 2019 is to reflect on where I’m placed in the marketplace and in my writing journey, I’m exploring how to make my fiction more commercial (as well as more literary), which means not embarking on projects that might lack wide appeal.
Still battling the hero’s journey story structure, I had a very helpful discussion last week with Mr A. As a reader of crime and ardent derider of improbable plotlines, he steered me through the set-up stages, but I’ll need to book another consultation if I’m to get this thing to work. It has poignancy! It has nail-biting jeopardy! It has a heart-warming ending, but there are a few systemic holes I need to plug before I can safely embark. Maybe I’ve chosen a leaky vessel and will have to let it go.
 
When a writer first answers the call she won’t necessarily realise she’s opted to play snakes and ladders wearing a blindfold, with an obstacle course of success and heart-rending disappointment  towards a destination too hazy to define. On the way she’ll expose her wounds to all kinds of people, and might struggle to distinguish friend from foe. Will that painful critique be ultimately helpful? Will well-intentioned platitudes tie her to the starting blocks, never daring to take the risks which could uncover her personal best?
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That spirit of human endurance is highly valued in Western society, but to me it’s overrated. It goes hand-in-hand with what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger which, although I’ve softened my stance on a certain philosopher since reading When Nietzsche Wept, I know to be bollocks, putting me out of step with millions of my fellow human beings.
 
And out of step with potential readers? While I know I can’t please everyone, and, for all its runaway success, I wouldn’t have wanted to have written Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, but it would be good to find the magic formula that enables me to please more.
 
Truth is my personal elixir: truth about the depth of my childhood damage and the truth about how we’ve fucked up the planet. While I’m not averse to happy endings, or even happy beginnings and middles, if I take my inspiration from what’s inside me, how far can I travel along the hero’s journey story structure before hitting the wall? If I crank up the jeopardy, I can’t honestly deliver a that-was-all-right-then ending; if I launch my story towards an optimistic resolution, I struggle to fit in enough life-or-death challenges along the way.

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At least for now, I’ll keep trying to resolve the apparent contradictions between the heightened narrative tension that brings in readers and what I consider an accurate reflection of life as it is lived. (I should note here, to anyone reading this post who hasn’t come across my fiction, it’s actually pretty well received already. I don’t want to do my books a disservice by these musings on wanting more.)

I’ve had to confront this dilemma in miniature with this week’s flash fiction challenge to write a 99-word story about sisu: “a Finnish concept of enduring strength, the ability to consistently overcome”. Even among friends at the Ranch, the call triggers my intellectual threat system of fight, flight or appeasement. But I’ve saddled up, and await your feedback.

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Marathon reversal
 
At fifteen miles, she hits the wall. A stich in her side, legs in cramp, she staggers, sapped of juice. But she’d run through the pain in training. Today, the crowds and her fellow runners would cheer her on.
 
Wolfing down an energy bar, she recovers her mojo. But what the fuck? When she turns around to jog back to the beginning, they ask if she’s lost her mind.
 
If all goes well, she’ll do the distance. And a little more. She laughs at the thought of missing that marathon medal. ‘My way’ fills the hollow in her head.

I developed the bones of this post during my walk on Sunday. Although neither heroic nor a feat of endurance, and despite the lack of sun, I took some photos to accompany my words.
Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
4 Comments
Charli Mills
9/5/2019 12:21:09 am

Literary art is what happens between writer and reader and how that chemistry is going to mix is the questioning of publishers who want to predict "best sellers." Thus we have the reality of commercial fiction. Trying to find that balance between what makes a work literature and what makes marketable depends upon writer and readers. The hero's journey (which I think needs renaming) is the closest framework to the stories we react to. But do we react differently to stories based on gender, culture, social-economic differences? And if so, does the framework adaptable? Is Campbell a sexist nut job for identifying stories around the world as "hero's journeys" or was he onto something we are yet figuring out, needing more lenses? Ah, this one will perplex and ignite my brain for as long as I write! And a funny side note -- I just recently tried to apply the framework to crime genre and it seems to work with the adaptations you mention. I think your elixir is spot on, especial for your own journey and perhaps that of every seeker -- truth.

Great flash of the marathoner who will do it her way, properly fueled up. And wow -- what lovely photos! Inspiring setting for an author. And yes, your books are well-received. I get what you are trying to do as an author, making that next leap and greater commercial viability. Which brings us back to -- how to find that connection.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
10/5/2019 09:25:41 am

Thanks, as ever, for extending my thinking, Charli. It is a conundrum when something feels right but quite not right. A resounding yes to your question But do we react differently to stories based on gender, culture, social-economic differences? and gender, as you mentioned on your blog, is an interesting angle to pursue. Fascinating that a straightforward hero’s journey doesn’t work for crime – perhaps the most formulaic of genres – but needs amendments along the lines I’d been thinking.
I’m glad my slightly subversive flash worked for you. When the idea came to me, I did like the way she doesn’t simply jack it in but endures in a way other people wouldn’t notice or applaud.

Reply
Norah Colvin link
12/5/2019 11:42:20 am

Interesting, reflective post, Anne. Do we introspective types never tire of inspecting our paths and journeys? Yes, your writing is well-received, but it deserves a larger audience.
I think finding the audience is the hard part (be it publisher or reader). Their (hopefully temporary) invisibility doesn't lessen the value or quality of the writing. It just means the connection hasn't been made - yet. But it is disheartening, and I hope you find the answer you are seeking this year.
I look forward to reading your WIPs as the P turns from 'progress' to 'published'. I am interrogating my journey in similar ways, struggling with motivation and contemplating future plans.
I like that in your 'sisu' story, she remained true to herself and did it her way. I've always done that too. Sadly, it's not the way of the majority so doesn't draw the big crowds.
I didn't join in the sisu challenge and may not with the age challenge this week either. I'll see how I go. It wasn't a lack of strength, just lack of time .

Reply
Anne Goodwin
12/5/2019 05:29:32 pm

Thanks, Norah. My problem might be that, unlike the character in my flash, and wants to do it my way and get a medal!
I did miss your flash last week but, as one of the most stalwart Ranch supporters, you’ve earned your time off. Hope it’s fruitful.

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