I critique other's work and they read and critique mine. We look for superfluous words, grammar mistakes, things that don't ring true and dead weight sentences or paragraphs among other things. One of the things I hear little of is: I didn't get it.
Several in my critique group have written short stories that I've read and while I enjoyed the writing I was left wondering what the point was. I knew there was one because the stories were strewn with symbolism. Symbolism I could only guess the meaning of.
The critiques came back on those stories with the usual red marks. I didn't want to be the only one to ask, "what did that mean?" So, I almost didn't. I didn't want to appear stupid. Obviously, everyone else understood it.
Remember the story: The Emperor's New Clothes? Well, that's what came to mind. "Yes, great story. Deeply thought provoking. Yes, absolutely amazing." Or in other words, "Yes, I see the emperor's clothes. Beautiful. Just beautiful."
I would hate someone to read my work and come to a wrong conclusion. What if at the end of the story the reader is unclear what it all meant? They will surely fill in the blanks for themself and most likely their perceived meaning of my work will be way off from the one I intended. Maybe the one they provide is hell is only a figment of my insane main character's imagination and as soon as she gets on medication, she'll stop hallucinating?
Ahh. All my work would be in vain. That is not what I want the reader to come away with. The point was that there is a hell, demons are real, and their is a very real spritual battle being fought all around us. That's no good.
If your reader is unsure of the meaning of your story, they will provide one. It very likely will not be the one you intended. To me, that's a little scary.
I decided I want to know what people think my stories are about, and so I ask. With Saving Eden, my readers were clear on it. That was good. I don't mind some wondering about inconsequential things. For instance, in The Demon Chaser, I have the devil carry around a skull he says belonged to his first human recruit.
One of my critters asked, "Is it Eve's?"
Another, "Is it Cain's?"
I didn't think it was Eve's, personally. But, for my story, it doesn't matter. So, on that point, I'll let there be debate. But not on my overall take away message. That one's non-negotiable.
As for my critique friends, I decided to allow myself to appear stupid and ask them what the meaning of their stories were. One friend simply said it was literary fiction and it didn't neccesarily have to make sense. In fact, some of the best appreciated literary fiction didn't. He didn't explain his story, or change it to make the meaning clearer.
With another critique partner, I suggested she ask everyone who read it what they thought it meant. I'm guessing she gets some interesting answers. Maybe some she doesn't like. But, the truth is certainly better than everyone telling you how beautiful your garb is when you're actually walking around butt naked.
So, go ahead and ask, "Does my story make sense to you? What do you think it meant?"
And if you get some answers that make you cringe, go back to your work and rewrite to clarify.
In other words, put some clothes on.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Home »
» Put Some Clothes On
Put Some Clothes On
Sunday, July 31, 2005
2 comments
Gina,
ReplyDeleteThere's a big difference between conventional, contemporary novel-length fiction and short, literary fiction. In most cases, people don't want to invest fifteen bucks in a book they don't understand at the end. However, I'd suggest that depth in any piece (or in any character or plot) requires the possibility of multiple interpretations. Can your life - your past, your yearnings, your identity, your relationships - be easily summarized? My guess is, like everyone else, there is complexity, even confusion, to who you are. Likewise, there should be that kind of real-life complexity to Val and Eden. Neat little one-sentence definitions are for cardboard sit-com characters, not you and me.
When I write literary fiction, I usually try to obscure the point. I'd rather have people feel certain things, explore the piece and evoke wonder, than lay out the Emperor's Clothes with a clear description of what every piece is and how it fits with the others. Part of the beauty of literary fiction is that it can mean different things to different people. Just like life.
By the way, this is your best entry yet. Peace!
Smile. Great point. I would definitely not mind reading a short story that was a great discussion piece, but you're right, at the end of the novel, I don't want a whole lot of obscurity.
ReplyDeleteAnd though I want to see the emperor's clothes, I absolutely hate when a writer tells me exactly what they look like or how I should feel about them.
For me, I hope to write with a balance. Present the facts and hope the reader comes away with the intended message.
My writing mission has always been out for all to scrutinize. I want to spread the gospel and teach God's truths. If I was merely writing to entertain, I wouldn't be as concerned with my take away message.
BTW, I wish I had half your literary genious. I'm more of a Stephen King kinda girl than a Tolstoy. But, I'm working on it. Keep me on my toes. :) Thanks, Mike!