Five days ago I wrote this. Do you ever get that feeling, when you are writing, that you want to do it differently? Change voice? Say something that you wouldn’t normally? Oh, golopo staddle flush. Gringpiddle wallyfoot, jikhol jimjumbo. Waggle waggle luff cidgeam! There - let spell check handle that!
And then, for four days, I did just that, tried a different voice and rewrote a series of stories I had original started donkey years ago as possible illustrated children’s books - one of which got sent to a few publishers for them to reject, not least because it had no illustrations. They are now the bitsnbobs What If Series.
What then? – a tale of giant and mountain.
What if it were jealous? – a tale of moon and star.
Would you wait for 5? – a tale of night and city.
Would we notice? – a tale of leaf and bird.
Wouldn't it be perfect? - a tale of dragons.
The critics were divided, some said; ‘it makes me feel that the other bits are writing and not real’ but others said; ‘your writing has gone to another plain (nb plane - see comments), a bit Douglas Adams and a bit Kafka'.
Hmmm….
What if I do something else tomorrow?
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10 comments:
You are amazing. So full of hidden talents. I've enjoyed your What If Series incorporating the theme of changing voices. Truly original and inspiring. My snoitalutargnoc!.
!uoyknaht
Chris,
My comment was meant to be encouraging. Your writing has gone to another PLANE -- as in "level of reality or other level of existence, mental activity, or achievement"[Dictionary]. To me your musings do not mean that you have 'left the building' but that you have freed yourself from its walls.
More WHAT IF please.
Mary x
ooops, must do something about my spelling - any suggestions please?
Mary , your comment WAS encouraging.
More What If?
Well, there is at least one more lying at the bottom of the cupboard, maybe two.....i'll have a look.
Excellent. Will look forward to future WI's.
Don't know what to say about the spelling but I smile whenever I find myself using capital letters. The first time I sent a text message to my son [the only way he would respond] I thought it would be easier to type in the entire thing in capitals. My message simply said -- "PLEASE CALL ME."
His response was "Why -- what happened". I replied -- "JUST CALL ME. TX." His response was even more panicked. "JUST TELL ME. WHAT IS IT". I was getting frustrated now -- I hate to text. It takes so long. And I can't see the letters very well without my reading glasses. -- So I wrote back "PLEASE JUST PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL ME. TX!" He replied: "AM I IN TROUBLE? WHAT DID I DO WRONG?"
I had two thoughts, the first that he must be guilty of something, the second that I must be doing something incorrectly to solicit such a response. He explained to me that using capital letters in texting meant that I was either angry or upset about something. Live and learn.
Now I just use capital lettes for emphasis or to draw attention.
Mary x
He WAS clearly guilty of something too and playing for time!!
I suspect that was the case.
I defer to your experience in raising teenage boys. To me they all look slightly guilty all of the time, reminiscent of the young Joachim Phoenix [I think he was using the name 'Leaf' at that time] in the movie 'Parenthood' skulking around, looking morose, carrying something in a plain paper bag into their bedrooms.
The thing about having only one child is that by the time you learn how to survive one phase, they are at the beginning of the next. No chance to correct mistakes or even try a new approach.
How have you survived it all, intact? Perhaps living in that little hamlet has made the difference. Still can't figure out why and when you decided on France. Don't know England very well -- have travelled there twice (enjoyed both visits) and am a long-standing member of the Jane Austen Society of North America -- but find it very beautiful -- love its writers especially.
Have spent very little time in France (1 1/2 days -- much of it on a train) so can't say either way.
Mary x
Mary, i'm no expert - is anyone?
Why and when France - who knows?
I'm very struck by Mary's comment that by the time you have learnt to survive one phase, they are at the beginning of the next. No chance to correct or even try a new approach.
Just to enjoy and marvel, I guess?
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