On this day in 1803, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, dramatist and novelist, was born in London. Even if you’ve never read any of his work, you are no doubt familiar with the first line of his novel Paul Clifford:
If only Snoopy could do what I did on a Friday in New Orleans at Saints and Sinners. The first master class I attended was Stephen McCauley’s “Real Live Characters.”
I’ve already mentioned that I’m crazy about Stephen McCauley’s work, so much so that I, along with Tim, would have had the honor of inducting him into the Saints and Sinners Hall of Fame had he not been forced to leave the festival early because of a family emergency.
One of McCauley’s points was about collaboration between writers–not so much contributing to the same work, as I have with my writing partners, but even working in the same environment. Tim and I know the value of sharing the same space and writing independently of each other but still establishing an atmosphere of creative energy that benefits us both.
I was amused when McCauley had us do a writing exercise, and I had paper and pen to loan Tim, who had nothing to write with or on, but he had all kinds of ideas that he began furiously scribbling. Whereas I sat there hissing, “I don’t have a character… I don’t have but one thing inside a character’s imagined bedside table… I don’t know what to write…” etc.
At different times, one of us may meet the mechanical needs of our efforts, and the other may meet our creative needs. This is collaboration.
Jim Grimsley’s master class was canceled when his plans to attend the festival were changed at the last minute. During our down time, Tim kindly picked up lunch for us, then it was time to attend Mark Doty’s class, “The Challenges of the Memoir.”
Even as a person who has no plans to write any kind of memoir or autobiography, I knew this was a class I couldn’t miss. I’ve read Doty’s three volumes of his memoirs and most of his poetry, and I’ve heard him speak before. My instincts were right, because his exercises for helping writers remember and shape their personal histories into a narrative are just as useful for creating a fictional character’s history.
One of my most treasured books is this one, in which Mark Doty wrote:
And I was.
If you’re reading this and you’re a person who dreams of finishing your novel or crafting your poetry, take every advantage you can to learn from brilliant writers like Stephen McCauley and Mark Doty–and be persistent.
i have exactly 22 pages from the last and final rewrite… I wish someone here was recharging my battery and filling the air with creativity. The post helps.
Are you done yet? Huh? How about now?
Now?
Indeed I am !
Woohoo!
Tonight I found the floorplan I wanted to use for Emily’s new apartment. And now I’m working on new characters for TA. I have some good ones. One day we will have to talk about it! I’m interested in your project du jour — when you start!
Ver cool post, Becky!
Thanks, Gary. =)
I dig your shop-talk, Becks. 🙂 *learns*
Thanks! (“Becks” made me laugh.)
I just recced “Firebird” to my LJ about two weeks ago —
I hope at least a couple of them check it out. They won’t
be sorry.
Positive word of mouth means everything to a writer, doesn’t it?
I love your pic of Stephen McCauley. You’ve captured his animated style of lecturing perfectly.
Thanks, David. I’ll never forget sitting one row behind Timothy and two rows behind you, Mark, and ‘Nathan. Such talent in the room.
McCauley’s point about collaboration is so true. Some of my best writing days have been in the company of my friend Pamela (http://www.angryblackbitch.com). I write fiction and she writes nonfiction, but just being in the same place (usually a café with abundant supplies of coffee and baked goods at hand) working toward our separate but parallel goals creates an environment that is much different from working alone. Thank you for posting this.
Jeffrey R.
You’re most welcome. I’ve always admired the way you two get together to write. Doing so takes another kind of discipline (instead of just sitting there shooting the shit). Though even that can be inspiring if people actually go their separate ways afterward and work.
What a lovely post – I can almost feel the inspiration dripping from your words.
On your recommendaion, I now have McCauley’s “The Object of my Affection” in my ‘pile’ – I shall look forward to it!
It’s so good to know you all had such a good time at S&S.
Thanks–and I hope you enjoy the McCauley!