Monday, December 07, 2009

Poof!



Well! It seems I have a new writing project and it may be a novel of stand alone paragraphs. (Explanation: This means writing a paragraph that is a whole story in itself. It may serve as a 'chapter' to a larger story, but it doesn't need to and might not. )
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How it turned out that this is what I will write for some or all of Novel 2 I cannot say, but I am excited about it. I do know that it is going to demand that my writing is concise, colorful, fair, and focused. For a week now I am scribbling paragraphs in my moleskine, on napkins, on grocery store receipts, even in my appointment book while I drive.
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I will try to post once a week or so, but I'm not certain if I will or won't. Please keep in mind there is no order (yet) to this story; the characters come from me, not from the law of the universe; and perspective is everything. The most important goal I have is to make every word count, to avoid using words that do not carry their own weight.
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Thank you as always for taking the time to read this and anything else I write. You have no idea how much your comments mean to me.
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Poof!
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One day Catherine was there and then she wasn’t. In her own way she gave ample warning: she boasted of six marriage proposals and over the years she had had at least three best friends, none of whom were still around. She relied on her own version of generosity, which was well received as long as demands were not made of her. She enticed through pure adoration, showering the object of her affection with playful provocations and softly spoken devotion. She possessed a rare intelligence and a passion so strong that it was all too easy to believe that her blood could not flow, her hands could not paint, her mind could not find peace without her chosen muse and sage and some version of lover in absentia. She would maintain this intense and singular focus for a year or two even, until she was fenced in by expectation. And when that occurred, her exit would be swift and absolute, matter-of-fact and callous. She had no problem identifying her reasons for leaving. She simply threw her head back and laughed: hahaha, she said with obvious impatience--any one who knows me would have known I was just having fun. You're the one who spoiled it. And poof! She was not-so-merrily on her way, in search of her next best friend.

18 comments:

  1. "the characters come from me, not from the law of the universe"

    Oh, my god! Do you mean to imply that there's a difference? I've never felt so let down.

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  2. ah, snowbrush, your visits always make me smile. don't go by me about this, what do i know anyway? i just thought a disclaimer might protect the guilty... :)

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  3. "a novel of stand alone paragraphs"
    I'm ignorant, 'splain me this. Does that mean that each paragraph itself must tell a story all on it's own, and yet still fit into a large story? That sounds very hard to me.Of course I'm familiar with that idea applying to novels which stand alone but are a part of a bigger story, (series) but I never heard of this.
    Good thing I just paint abstracts,,,I could never write. Especially something so structured.
    Good for you!
    Poof!

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  4. This sounds exciting but I too would like an explanation of exactly what a paragraph story is. It's hard also to keep paper handy at all times - I once wrote on a stone which I picked up as I walked along a beach - it ruined my pen! Best of luck with the story.

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  5. Ah we can do without fairweather friends. I think it could work. In fact, I know how/what you're thinking about and possibly the direction in which you're going so yes, I think it can work. A bunch of vigniettes that finally form the larger picture. Not unlike screen writing really. You know, those stories within a series that offer something new but see the characters develop throughout the series. You go girl. You write very well by the way. I'm a little over pretentious syntax at the moment. I like to understand the story and the characters, not have to read it twice to understand the meaning.

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  6. babs and somerset, i added a bit of explanation in the introduction. and yes, HAVE to have a pen at all times! xo

    baino, hug and tsup. i'm so glad you're in my crazy life.

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  7. I may be wrong KJ but it sounds as if you are getting ready to assemble quite a bit of what I have read here into a cohesive package. Get on with it!

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  8. This doesn't sound like a very nice woman. Do we ever find out when life treats her as badly as she treats everyone else?

    It's good writing, kj...makes me want to know more. Keep the pens and paper handy!

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  9. "Poof!" is perfect KJ ;)
    You couldn't have told it any better!

    Hey, Bri always used to carry a mini cassette recorder and kept it on the front seat of the car so he could "write" when the muse/idea hit him. It makes for safer driving instead of pen and paper.

    Maybe Santa could put one in your stocking?

    I love what Marion said!

    Talk to you later GF ;)

    xoxo
    Lo

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  10. The paragraph says it all. Best of all though is your obvious excitement and inspiration around this new approach to your book #2. I love reading about that, so lacking in my own life right now but present in the past. So many ideas they intrude on all aspects of life.Sounds good.

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  11. I do believe I know where this person came from. She does not sound very nice and really isn't it just as well she left? Great writing my dear. xoxo

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  12. OH MY!!!

    This is going to be sooo good. I can't wait. If anyone can desribe qualities of character, that would be you. You are surrounded by this panorama all day and your heart opens to all the possibilities of life.

    This woman seems terrified of committment. And thats her problem. 'Poof' is such a perfect word for her.

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  13. HA!! I had to put my hand over my mouth so as not to be unseemly.

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  14. I forgot to tell you that I love the new header AND the fact that you changed the color of the font!

    It's a keeper. Although you shouldn't keep fish around for too long;)

    xoxo

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  15. HA! Yeah, that and overnight company has a tight expiration date.
    ;)

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  16. Love it kj.

    You have said it all and I can see this person in my eye.

    xxoxoxo

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  17. mark, i'm starting to roll! it feels great. i'm actually pleased with this paragraph: it says what I hoped for.

    marion, oh your comment is priceless. i can't answer it. i think she does treat people badly, but maybe not everyone. not her kids, for example. but your question is so rich, and i hope to uncover at least some of the answer. xo

    linda, terrified of commitment? yes and no. catherine will honor duty and obligation. that makes this even more complex, as i see it.... thanks for your support and always kind words. xoxo

    lo, dah! i have a recorder on my new wonderful iphone. i never thought of using it until your suggestion. thanks for knowing, that feels great.xoxo

    suki, passion is important to me. i can finally say that directly. and when i FEEL like writing, it is a joy, difficult, maybe painful, but a joy. xoxo

    thank you annie. xoxo

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  18. cs, this makes me want to hightail it to the dictionary to look up the definition of 'unseemly' :)

    why thank you, lo.

    linda, forgive me, i don't understand a word of this comment! is my memory at fault?

    renee, thank you for saying that my words allow you to see the person. that is what i hope for when i write. xoxo

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