Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Reading for the Writing

It happened again today. A friend mentioned the title of a novel I'd read recently.

"Did you enjoy it?" he asked.
"Very much," I replied. And I had.
"What's it about?" he asked.

And that's when it happened. Even though I had read the book less than two months ago, I wasn't able to provide much more information other than the uninteresting and unhelpful fact that I'd enjoyed it. Plot? I might have been able to scare up a sentence or two. Names of the main characters? Gone. 

Certainly every novel needs a plot, with interesting characters developed in memorable ways. When it all works together well, it's like a wonderful symphonic piece. But what I remember most about reading a good novel is the experience of it: the author's word choice, the variety a rhythm of the sentences, the emotional impact evoked from what is written and, importantly, left unwritten.

Do you suffer from forgot-the-plot syndrome?

4 comments:

  1. Absolutely. Sometimes I've wondered if it was a symptom of reading so many novels that they all blend together. I've chastised myself for reading too fast, though I know I often reread delicious paragraphs and linger over word choice. I always remember whether or not I loved a book and can always say why I loved it. I am more shy about repeating why I didn't like a book, especially one I remember few details about, but a bad impression sticks around too. I agree that it is the experience of reading and the emotions that are sparked that I remember years after reading. I thought it might be a more common reaction of women because my husband, who reads far less, remembers much more. I'm very glad to know that another writer, and a male one, owns up to forgetting characters and plot. I feel a bit less dysfunctional now, or at least less lonely!

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  2. I'm guessing there are a lot more like us out there, Eleanor. Thanks for coming by!

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  3. Your "cousin" Stephen has lots to say on plot, or more accurately, the lack thereof. He rightly, in my opinion, feels that plot is secondary to narrative, character, etc. - or as he says, "I distrust plot for two reasons: first, because our lives are largely plotless, even when you add in all our reasonable precautions and careful planning; and second, because I believe plotting and the spontaneity of real creation aren’t compatible."

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  4. What does HE know about story telling, Mike? But I happen to agree... mostly... with him.

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