Read Loud and Proud!

Last week I attended the UCSD Extension Creative Writing Showcase.

Students from various creative writing classes offered through UCSD Extension read from their works-in-progress. Such a fun experience to hear from so many talented writers!

Reading aloud – and listening to other writers read their work – is part of the Vermont College experience. Reading an excerpt of your work is a graduation requirement. Students read from a podium, using a microphone, and to a receptive audience. Smaller, practice type reading opportunities are offered earlier throughout each residency to help prepare for this exhilarating, and potentially terrifying, experience.

Faculty members also read – occasionally from published work, but raw drafts are shared too. Some favorite memories of pre-published readings include Rita Williams-Garcia changing stance and body language, as well as voice and cadence as she read the different voices in Jumped; Tim Wynne-Jones had us all roaring with laughter as he read an early version of Rex Zero and the End of the World; but some people sobbed through Kathi Appelt’s lyrical reading of The Underneath.

Magic!

I think reading aloud is such a powerful tool for writers. I also think writers need to read their  writing out loud to themselves as part of the revision process, but this kind of reading – to an audience – is a separate animal completely.

If you are planning a working retreat, or simply want to build community and support for writers, I encourage you to consider readings as part of the experience. Five minutes allows for a good sense of a story – and can include a scene and/or entire picture book. Maybe allow up to ten minutes if it’s a small group or special event. It’s like having a recital to celebrate hard work!

Things to consider when selecting what to read:

• It doesn’t have to be the opening scene.
• Choose an entire scene to read.
• Select a scene with emotion and intensity.
• Humor is always appreciated by audiences.
• Action, too.
• It’s better to read less than the allotted time than more.
• Practice!

Thank you to all the brave and gifted writers I heard last week!

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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Are You Having Second Thoughts?

The use of second person point of view narrative is unusual; and yet, I’ve recently read two books (Blink and Caution by Tim Wynne-Jones and Stolen by Lucy Christopher), using this technique. But not in the same manner. In fact, the intent and meaning behind the use of “You” is quite different in each of these books. I’m not entirely sure they are true representations of this point of view style.

Prior to reading these books, I’ve understood the second person point of view to imply that the reader is the “you” in the story. The logic behind this is shaky – and perhaps opens philosophical questions of reality and existence and meta-fiction and such. But neither of these books employs that perspective.

First, Blink and Caution.  For a review, check out this one by Elizabeth Bluemle – I agree with her review, especially the part about Tim Wynne-Jones being a genius. He truly is one of the most amazing people – who also happens to be a writer – that I have ever known. I worked with him one tremendous semester at VCFA.

This is a complex and plot-driven novel — I’ve included the summary below — But I love the voice of the story. The narrative switches between the two self-named main characters, Blink and Caution. Caution’s story is told in the more traditional, but very intimate third person point of view. Blink is the “you” in his part of the story.

For me, this perspective was incredibly effective at showing Blink’s fragile psyche. Having been forced on the streets after prolonged abuse at the hands of his step-father, I’d say he is suffering from PTSD except that he hasn’t really gotten to the POST part yet. He isn’t yet strong enough to have his own voice.

From his POV:

“You slip the money out of the wallet and shove it into your pocket. You close the wallet and lay it down, just so, beside the loaded toothbrush. Then you breathe a bit, like you’re remembering how. You pick up the wallet again and take out the picture of the girl with the lake behind her, so much lake it might be an ocean. You’re greedy son. Who can blame you? There is so much you want…“

Blink is desperately lonely and scared. He doesn’t have anyone to tell his story to – so he has to tell himself. As the story goes on, it’s as if he is coaching himself. Telling himself to keep going – despite the fear and desperation and the ever-present threat of Captain Panic blowing everything.

I thought it was absolutely brilliant.

For those of you wondering what I am babbling on about, here’s the summary from goodreads: Boy, did Blink get off on the wrong floor. All he wanted was to steal some breakfast for his empty belly, but instead he stumbled upon a fake kidnapping and a cell phone dropped by an “abducted” CEO, giving Blink a link to his perfect blonde daughter. Now Blink is on the run, but it’s OK as long as he’s smart enough to stay in the game and keep Captain Panic locked in his hold. Enter a girl named Caution. As in “Caution: Toxic.” As in “Caution: Watch Your Step.” She’s also on the run, from a skeezy drug-dealer boyfriend and from a nightmare in her past that won’t let her go. When she spies Blink at the train station, Caution can see he’s an easy mark. But there’s something about this naïve, skinny street punk, whom she only wanted to rob, that tugs at her heart, a heart she thought deserved not to feel. Charged with suspense and intrigue, this taut novel trails two deeply compelling characters as they forge a blackmail scheme that is foolhardy at best, disastrous at worst – along with a fated, tender partnership that will offer them each a rare chance for redemption.

Highly recommended.

Tomorrow, Stolen by Lucy Christopher.

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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