Hey-hey, look! I’m writing things!
I was thinking of writing this on The Advocate Blog, but figured it would get too personal-blog-like. (I got feedback for my last post that it was too personal-blog-like.)
So, last night I went to my writers’ group, and we talked about writing and stories and things. A piece that I’ve been working on was on the chopping block. People seemed to like it. They seemed to have a little bit of a problem with a section that got to exposition-y, so I’ll probably whittle it down. I think the section is still important to give background on a character. Plus I’m learning more-and-more that, while the people in my group yell “EXPOSITION IS DEATH!!!!!” I have read many, many, many published books with plenty of long, expository* sections.
Then we went to a wine bar afterwards which was dimly lit with comfy chairs and heavy wood benches. The bar looked onto a forecourt through floor-to-ceiling windows, and people were dancing the tango in that forecourt - three couples to be exact. A couple of women, and two male-female couples in their forties or fifties dressed to impress.
I pointed to the dance class, and said to my fellow writers, “Look at that. That needs to go in someone’s story.”
Fellow writer: Why?
Me: It’s interesting. Look. There’s two women dancing together. Don’t you want to know their story? Are they lesbians? Or did the male of one of the couples fail to show?
Fellow writer: But where’s the conflict?
Me: There IS no conflict. Or if there’s conflict, it’s that those people are doing a frigging tango lesson in a tiny courtyard under yellow light, while we’re in here listening to Aretha Franklin. I think that’s an interesting juxtaposition. It’s a cool contrast.
Fellow writer: There’s got to be CONFLICT!!!!
Me: But no. There really doesn’t.
This set off a whole discussion of CONFLICT!!!! According to my fellow writers, “An author lives or dies by conflict.” I’m kinda getting sick of hearing what a story HAS to be. Or what an author HAS to be.
So there you go; there’s your conflict: I disagree. As usual.
*Expository sounds like suppository. Heh-heh.
Nick | 22-Apr-09 at 3:35 pm | Permalink
I want to write this short story.
alex | 22-Apr-09 at 3:46 pm | Permalink
Go to it. I’m looking forward to it.
M. Robert Turnage | 24-Apr-09 at 10:25 am | Permalink
There is a difference between being a good writer and being a dramatist.
Being a dramatist usually involves creating situations that revolve around conflict… or, rather, CONFLICT!!!! It is about narrative and struggle and yadda yadda.
Being a writer means understanding the power of language. Many poems are stunningly beautiful and compelling without conflict. Exposition can be well-made if it is written well and the beauty of the language shines through. Many books have long passages where nothing happens, but we still love them because the written word is so powerful.
I usually get kicked out of writers groups because I write stories about the other members. In these stories, I usually mock their pain. It doesn’t help me win friends.
alex | 24-Apr-09 at 10:41 am | Permalink
Every time I’ve met you, you’ve been the nicest guy. I can’t imagine that you piss people off. Maybe I don’t want to know that side of you.
Besides that, thanks.
I need one of those Matrix-style knowledge injectors. I want the huge vocabulary and deep understanding of language that is required to create passages like you describe.
jen-an | 27-Apr-09 at 2:33 pm | Permalink
Can one rant feebly? If there is such a thing, wouldn’t it actually be whining?
alex | 30-Apr-09 at 9:14 pm | Permalink
Probably. But whining is so gay.
Bald Outing | 15-Jun-09 at 10:38 pm | Permalink
wine bars are the best!