Comments on: The Little Narrative Engine That Could http://www.afterthemfa.com/archives/the-little-narrative-engine-that-could.html selling out since 2005 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:58:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Alanna http://www.afterthemfa.com/archives/the-little-narrative-engine-that-could.html#comment-113 Alanna Fri, 13 Oct 2006 20:05:27 +0000 http://afterthemfa.com/archives/the-little-narrative-engine-that-could.html#comment-113 I've reached a point in my own novel where the plot needs to become more active, rather than just resonant. It's scary because I feel that with each major plot decision, the possibilities for the direction in which my novel may go become increasingly limited. But I agree with Pelecanos that most of us need some kind of narrative to ground us- it can't all be just characters and feelings, because while those things are interesting, we all, deep down, want a good story. I’ve reached a point in my own novel where the plot needs to become more active, rather than just resonant. It’s scary because I feel that with each major plot decision, the possibilities for the direction in which my novel may go become increasingly limited. But I agree with Pelecanos that most of us need some kind of narrative to ground us- it can’t all be just characters and feelings, because while those things are interesting, we all, deep down, want a good story.

]]> By: Molly http://www.afterthemfa.com/archives/the-little-narrative-engine-that-could.html#comment-65 Molly Tue, 12 Sep 2006 00:37:00 +0000 http://afterthemfa.com/archives/the-little-narrative-engine-that-could.html#comment-65 Gordon, what a wonderful, true post. You know how thoroughly I agree with you about "The Wire." (Be sure to read Simon's "Homicide.") But I love how you related the show -- and Pelecanos' quote -- to your own stuff. Gordon, what a wonderful, true post. You know how thoroughly I agree with you about “The Wire.” (Be sure to read Simon’s “Homicide.”) But I love how you related the show — and Pelecanos’ quote — to your own stuff.

]]> By: Katie http://www.afterthemfa.com/archives/the-little-narrative-engine-that-could.html#comment-63 Katie Sat, 09 Sep 2006 20:14:33 +0000 http://afterthemfa.com/archives/the-little-narrative-engine-that-could.html#comment-63 The previous comment suggests that character is the narrative engine in "The Wire," which, I have to admit, I have never seen. But, in general, I don't think that characters on their own work as a story's engine (I won't say "absolutely" because I think rules in writing are lame - always an exception). Gordon, you talked about your stories as being vague and opaque and I'm going to go ahead and translate this to mean that they're probably lacking in story or plot. And I think I can safely say that my own stories tend to have that problem as well. Like we're afraid to make any major plot decisions - to make anything happen - because that would take away from our characters who are exploring something closer to reality, in which nothing really momentous ever happens. But the reality of writing is that it isn't reality and even if it could come close, important stuff happens all the time in the real world. So I guess I've come to see plot as important. Good characters are key (of course), but stuff has to happen to them in order to gain (or lose) momentum. Characters provide the gas, but your narrative can't go anywhere without a road (excuse the lame metaphor). The previous comment suggests that character is the narrative engine in “The Wire,” which, I have to admit, I have never seen. But, in general, I don’t think that characters on their own work as a story’s engine (I won’t say “absolutely” because I think rules in writing are lame - always an exception).

Gordon, you talked about your stories as being vague and opaque and I’m going to go ahead and translate this to mean that they’re probably lacking in story or plot. And I think I can safely say that my own stories tend to have that problem as well. Like we’re afraid to make any major plot decisions - to make anything happen - because that would take away from our characters who are exploring something closer to reality, in which nothing really momentous ever happens. But the reality of writing is that it isn’t reality and even if it could come close, important stuff happens all the time in the real world.

So I guess I’ve come to see plot as important. Good characters are key (of course), but stuff has to happen to them in order to gain (or lose) momentum. Characters provide the gas, but your narrative can’t go anywhere without a road (excuse the lame metaphor).

]]> By: anom http://www.afterthemfa.com/archives/the-little-narrative-engine-that-could.html#comment-62 anom Fri, 08 Sep 2006 22:08:16 +0000 http://afterthemfa.com/archives/the-little-narrative-engine-that-could.html#comment-62 The Wire (yes, the most well-written show, possile ever. And possibly some of the best contempory writing period.) crime, per say, isn't the engine, it's just other people. The show follows a classic framework: make hell of interesting and human characters (omar... well, almost everyone) and get them in trouble. All they do to keep this engine running is take the temperature of every character at the end of an episode and those who are doing fine get fucked with in the next show and those who aren't get a free pass. The engine to this show is character. The Wire (yes, the most well-written show, possile ever. And possibly some of the best contempory writing period.) crime, per say, isn’t the engine, it’s just other people. The show follows a classic framework: make hell of interesting and human characters (omar… well, almost everyone) and get them in trouble. All they do to keep this engine running is take the temperature of every character at the end of an episode and those who are doing fine get fucked with in the next show and those who aren’t get a free pass. The engine to this show is character.

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