Couldn't have said it better myself, but I ramble so much when in a tautological mode, I probably could have said it in at least five thousand more words.
Unless you were in the MFA program at Columbia when it was being ran by Ben Marcus, in which case your first novel will sound alarmingly like Ben Marcus with a hangover. (I don't mean this as an insult, it's just that these things tend to happen and if you know you know, and if you don't, you don't.)
Interesting. Cadence is something I note quite often when I look critically at a piece of prose, and I think you have explained it particularly well. Ambrose Bierce is always good for examples of such, for those who might be interested.
My dude, this was wonderfully insightful. I spent the last twenty minutes reworking the opening of a book because of you. Care to take a look and share your thoughts? It's not (yet) on my stack.
Much appreciated! There's been a lot of confusion about what literary fiction is, and while my thoughts are in no way the official definition... they should be! 😆
Haha, indeed! One of my favourite pieces is Poe’s ‘Philosophy of Composition’. We need to know how to manipulate language and the readers’ expectations of language in order to achieve the desired impact.
We should also keep in mind that the TEEL method was designed for nonfiction of a particular type. It was never intended to develop a literary style. As you point out, that does require a different approach.
Couldn't have said it better myself, but I ramble so much when in a tautological mode, I probably could have said it in at least five thousand more words.
Each writer has his own voice. It should never sound like everyone else's voice.
You can be inspired by Tolkien, Stoker, and Herbert. You don't have to sound just like them.
Unless you were in the MFA program at Columbia when it was being ran by Ben Marcus, in which case your first novel will sound alarmingly like Ben Marcus with a hangover. (I don't mean this as an insult, it's just that these things tend to happen and if you know you know, and if you don't, you don't.)
Wow, great article, I learned a lot. I have a similar essay on Proust and Nabokov
https://substack.com/@theauthorofthislife/p-154305232
you might like to read.
Dan
I think this is exactly right. Well done.
Thank you. I needed that confirmation.
Interesting. Cadence is something I note quite often when I look critically at a piece of prose, and I think you have explained it particularly well. Ambrose Bierce is always good for examples of such, for those who might be interested.
My dude, this was wonderfully insightful. I spent the last twenty minutes reworking the opening of a book because of you. Care to take a look and share your thoughts? It's not (yet) on my stack.
Be glad to. If you’re writing it on Substack, there is the option to share a draft.
Excellent exposition! Love the analogy to the ballet dancer.
Much appreciated! There's been a lot of confusion about what literary fiction is, and while my thoughts are in no way the official definition... they should be! 😆
Haha, indeed! One of my favourite pieces is Poe’s ‘Philosophy of Composition’. We need to know how to manipulate language and the readers’ expectations of language in order to achieve the desired impact.
Great piece thanks for sharing
Wouldn't you classify The Body as literary writing?
It's been a minute since I read it, but I was just referring to what he said about his own writing. Pet Semetary is one of my favorite books.
We should also keep in mind that the TEEL method was designed for nonfiction of a particular type. It was never intended to develop a literary style. As you point out, that does require a different approach.
Great article! I always find so much joy when uncovering the little clues literary writers sow in what they omit. Thanks for sharing this!