Telling a Story: A Journey Into the Dark?


Poet and author Robert Frost once said, "I have never started a poem yet whose end I knew. Writing a poem is discovering."

It's an enlightening comment. If we scratch at it, unearthing some of the golden meaning hidden within, we could surmise that the poet felt as though expectations and goals were the death of creativity.  That by circumventing the natural exploration of the words and emotions behind them, it would somehow strip the work of life. Direction being a fungus bound to overtake and stifle the energy *POWER* of the work.  

In my own writing I've often found that I carry preconceptions about a story long before I get it drafted out.  XYZ character needs to be of a certain type.  She needs to meet certain objectives and obstacles. Readers will expect a certain amount of action.  Readers won't care for that type of dialogue. On and on it goes. 

It has left me wondering where these thoughts come from, and if they are good for storytelling at all.  

A little reflection shows that these ideas of how a story should be told come from the collected information I've gathered on the craft over the years. Listening to other writers, courses in literature in college, trial and error, or 'How To' books and articles I've read have all contributed to my understanding of how one goes about writing a story.

I've also learned (somewhat subconsciously) quite a lot from my favorite reads.  I never underestimate the influence of the words I read on the words I write.  Imitation is only flattery if you're doing so on purpose, after all, so it's something I'm mindful of.

In terms of whether the impact on my writing has been positive or negative, I'd have to say it's kind of a mixed bag.  I certainly believe there is value in understanding the basic constructs and principals of story telling.   There is worth in plotting, for every adventure has a beginning and an end.  To not know which is which can lead to waisted time and, worse still, losing the story entirely.  

Unfortunately, I also think yearning for too much structure has at times sucked some of the marrow from my creative bones.

In the end, I side with Frost.  I believe a story is truly told as you would navigate a cave with a lantern, which is to say a few steps at a time.  The shadows swaying like beckoning ghosts at the edge of your light will sometimes yield a dead end, and other times open up into a cavern of unimaginable depth and beauty. If you only follow a plotted course, you risk missing out on the true wonders of trip.  

In short: A story told can be good.  A story explored can be great.

So what about you? Have you ever worried so much about maintaining structure that creativity has taken a backseat?  Have you developed a way to have both in your writing? Do you write blind as Frost suggests?

~EJW~      




20 comments:

  1. I love that quote! I'm one of those writers who not only plans everything out to the nth degree and then is hog-tied if it seems to be running off course from what I planned. I love the way you decribe thinking a story should be like navigating a cave with a lantern (something that terrifies me by the way)... maybe I need to be more adventurous like Frost and you! Cool post!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The cave analogy is perfect. I generally have an idea where the story is going, but if it finds a new path, I let it go as long as the path blends and fits with the rest of the story.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think I've balanced it. Helps that I haven't read a lot of writing books I guess.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Always. You can go back and edit in some tension or plot or whatever you feel is missing--but first get it out.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I generally have to have a little bit of an idea about where the story is going, otherwise I flounder. But I don't like having a steel-structured outline that doesn't let me get creative. I like to have the overall plot down, but once I get writing I go where the thoughts take me. I can cut later.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I let creativity flow then I weed out the crap.

    Also, Contessa and Arthur have passed on a challenge to you. I believe Contessa used the words "We can't let him go unscathed." It deals with underwear.

    Shelly
    http://www.shellysnovicewritings.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. I do write scenes blindly, but the general plot is loosely outlined.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great quote, and great analogy about navigating a cave with a lantern. I wish I could trust myself a little more to come up with creative ideas and solutions. I find it hard to get to the end because I'm afraid I won't do it well... so I don't do it at all. I long for structure because I think it will be like a road map, allowing me to reach my destination, but that's not the natural way I write. So, to make a long story long, I'm open to any helpful hints :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I definitely write blind. Some times I think I know where I'm headed only to end up running right into a wall. Eventually I find my way around it though.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think the biggest lesson yet to be learned on on the literary journey is one that I keep coming up short on. Trust your instinct. Formula can work for anyone who needs a little bit of direction, but at the end of the day it's your call what goes into the story, and what doesn't. No one but you can make the choices you face. Let others share their advice with you, but at the end of the day, do what you believe is right.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I agree about trusting your instinct...that's what I'm struggling with right now.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love that saying - that a story explored can be great. That is so true.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That quote is awesome!

    The best thing I have learned is that I have to trust me. I have to know that I know what is best for my stories. I'm getting there--slowly. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great questions! I have to say, I only worry about structure after the story's been written. As a dedicated pantster, I go with the flow of the story and characters until I've gotten at least 3/4 of the way through the first draft.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love the cave analogy! I hadn't read that Robert Frost quote before, but I love it.

    I wanted to let you know I gave you an award on my blog today:

    http://julieflanders.blogspot.com/2011/09/awards-round-up-and-overdue-thanks.html

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Fun stuff, EJ! I had a pair of C3PO and Wonder Woman under-roos. Sure wish they made adult size... I'd be wearing them ALL the time. lol :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have a rough plan (in my head) when I start but then the story usually takes over. Even when I write poetry, it never turns out as originally planned.

    I love these line, E.J. "I believe a story is truly told as you would navigate a cave with a lantern, which is to say a few steps at a time. The shadows swaying like beckoning ghosts at the edge of your light will sometimes yield a dead end, and other times open up into a cavern of unimaginable depth and beauty." That is absolutely beautiful. Apparently, from the comments above, others thought so as well.
    welleluileos

    ReplyDelete
  18. That's a great quote. If you feel like you are taking your readers into a cave with just a lantern, what greater adventure is there. I think we need to be mindful of plot etc. but let our creative side lead the way.

    ReplyDelete

“Much unhappiness has come into the world because of bewilderment and things left unsaid.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.