Read a book like a writer.
Recently I came across an interesting site where we, writers or wanna b writers are asked to read like a writer.
So far I have read many books just for the sake of reading not paying attention to the craft of writing.
Here I understood that we will have guidance to find out what goes in the process of writing - why a book resonates or doesn't, how the writer brings the scenes to life without telling.
If you are interested please check out.
Prompt # 1. Choose a book
The first project was to choose a book. Any book. I chose The Color Purple by Alice Walker. I remember the book was banned in 1984. I was still teaching then and there were a lot of noise regarding the language. Debates between Proper English and Black English, whether the subject matter was appropriate for eighth-grade class or not...et etcetera, etcetera.
While decluttering my shelf I found this book, I held it close and decided this would be the book.
Prompt # 2. Protagonist
The next day we listened to a podcast and were guided by Gabriella Perrotta. She asked if we could find the protagonist. That will be the character the reader would get attached to. The protagonist need not be the narrator.
In this case, the protagonist is Celie, the fourteen-year-old girl who is writing letters to God. This is how the story unfurls -- through letters to God (the reader).
The very first line of the book is :
You better not never tell nobody but God. It'll kill your mammy.
The next letter to God starts as --
My mama dead.
Prompt # 3 Five Promises
'At the beginning of every story, the author makes five promises to the reader', says Gabriela. In a short story, they must be spelled out as soon as possible, maybe on the first page. The novel might get a little more time. But the reader expects it by the end of the first chapter.
What are these FIVE PROMISES?
1. Character
2. Voice
3. Problem/conflict
4. World / Setting
5. Event
Do they appear in the first chapter of the book that you are reading? Asked the guide.
Here are my findings.
The first chapter is the first letter in this case which is about 200 words.
The protagonist Celie, a fourteen-year-old girl and another main character, Mr. -- are introduced. Though we don't know their names yet.
The voice is Celie's at this point. Charming Black English as if she is talking to me in her own way.
The world is a dysfunctional family where her dad or Mr.-- abuses her sexually, verbally and physically.
Problem: Celie is stuck. Docile, obedient, this poor, young girl admits to God that I have always been a good girl...Maybe you can give me a sign letting me know what is happening to me? ...I don't know how to fight. All I know how to do is stay alive.
Event: Did the author choose the right beginning for this story?
I think starting with the sexual abuse sets the tone of the story. How Celie is stuck in this bitter condition and I wish her to get out of this vicious circle and I want to read more what happens next. The author hooked me indeed.
So yes, within ten pages the writer kept all the five promises she made.
What are you reading now? I am curious to check it out in the comments. So please leave one. Thank you.
Recently I came across an interesting site where we, writers or wanna b writers are asked to read like a writer.
So far I have read many books just for the sake of reading not paying attention to the craft of writing.
Here I understood that we will have guidance to find out what goes in the process of writing - why a book resonates or doesn't, how the writer brings the scenes to life without telling.
If you are interested please check out.
Prompt # 1. Choose a book
The first project was to choose a book. Any book. I chose The Color Purple by Alice Walker. I remember the book was banned in 1984. I was still teaching then and there were a lot of noise regarding the language. Debates between Proper English and Black English, whether the subject matter was appropriate for eighth-grade class or not...et etcetera, etcetera.
While decluttering my shelf I found this book, I held it close and decided this would be the book.
Prompt # 2. Protagonist
The next day we listened to a podcast and were guided by Gabriella Perrotta. She asked if we could find the protagonist. That will be the character the reader would get attached to. The protagonist need not be the narrator.
In this case, the protagonist is Celie, the fourteen-year-old girl who is writing letters to God. This is how the story unfurls -- through letters to God (the reader).
The very first line of the book is :
You better not never tell nobody but God. It'll kill your mammy.
The next letter to God starts as --
My mama dead.
Prompt # 3 Five Promises
'At the beginning of every story, the author makes five promises to the reader', says Gabriela. In a short story, they must be spelled out as soon as possible, maybe on the first page. The novel might get a little more time. But the reader expects it by the end of the first chapter.
What are these FIVE PROMISES?
1. Character
2. Voice
3. Problem/conflict
4. World / Setting
5. Event
Do they appear in the first chapter of the book that you are reading? Asked the guide.
Here are my findings.
The first chapter is the first letter in this case which is about 200 words.
The protagonist Celie, a fourteen-year-old girl and another main character, Mr. -- are introduced. Though we don't know their names yet.
The voice is Celie's at this point. Charming Black English as if she is talking to me in her own way.
The world is a dysfunctional family where her dad or Mr.-- abuses her sexually, verbally and physically.
Problem: Celie is stuck. Docile, obedient, this poor, young girl admits to God that I have always been a good girl...Maybe you can give me a sign letting me know what is happening to me? ...I don't know how to fight. All I know how to do is stay alive.
Event: Did the author choose the right beginning for this story?
I think starting with the sexual abuse sets the tone of the story. How Celie is stuck in this bitter condition and I wish her to get out of this vicious circle and I want to read more what happens next. The author hooked me indeed.
So yes, within ten pages the writer kept all the five promises she made.
What are you reading now? I am curious to check it out in the comments. So please leave one. Thank you.
