Comments on: reading like a writer–part 3: questions to ask https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2010/01/reading-like-a-writer-part-3-questions-to-ask/ Catching Days Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:09:20 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: cynthia https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2010/01/reading-like-a-writer-part-3-questions-to-ask/#comment-1485 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:09:20 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=4994#comment-1485 In reply to Guy Pursey.

Hi Guy-What I’m finding as I take apart more stories is that each story poses its own questions. For example, in Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” there are no sections. The building blocks of the story instead are scenes.

These questions seem to get me off to a good start every time. Let me know how they work for you.

]]> By: Guy Pursey https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2010/01/reading-like-a-writer-part-3-questions-to-ask/#comment-1484 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:17:29 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=4994#comment-1484 Slowly catching up with blogs/blogging now — this looks like a really useful exercise. I just finished Herzog so I’m going to try your questions out on that before reading the next post. Looking forward to it!

]]> By: cynthia https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2010/01/reading-like-a-writer-part-3-questions-to-ask/#comment-1483 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:09:07 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=4994#comment-1483 In reply to Maggie.

Thanks, Maggie. From my experience (as you’ve seen), the shorter the book the better!

]]> By: cynthia https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2010/01/reading-like-a-writer-part-3-questions-to-ask/#comment-1482 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:19:17 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=4994#comment-1482 In reply to Annie.

Thanks!

]]> By: Annie https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2010/01/reading-like-a-writer-part-3-questions-to-ask/#comment-1481 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:12:00 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=4994#comment-1481 In reply to cynthia.

Sure!

Our professor put up Toni Morrison’s short story on blackboard, so I can download it and email you a copy. Be on the lookout!

]]> By: cynthia https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2010/01/reading-like-a-writer-part-3-questions-to-ask/#comment-1480 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:41:28 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=4994#comment-1480 In reply to Annie.

Annie, I don’t think I did know that Toni Morrison had written a short story–where can I find it?

And thanks for the link to the Boyd essay!

]]> By: Maggie https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2010/01/reading-like-a-writer-part-3-questions-to-ask/#comment-1479 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:53:06 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=4994#comment-1479 I love the series! and I’m trying to figure out one book that I would like to “read like a writer!”

P.S :The question and answers (it’s Genius!) makes the reading like a writer process so much simpler! (though it’s not- hehe)

Take care

]]> By: Annie https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2010/01/reading-like-a-writer-part-3-questions-to-ask/#comment-1478 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:46:27 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=4994#comment-1478 In reply to cynthia.

Cool! I thought the Chekhovian idea was really neat . . . checked out some O. Henry Prize stories today. Looking forward to seeing how they compare to the _Best American_ series. I’m particularly interested in Diaz and Danticat. I’ll be reading them both for a class later this semester, but can’t help but take a look at their short stories. Also, did you know Toni Morrison has a short story? (I didn’t – but am looking forward to reading it . . . and presenting on it.)

Oh, and also, because I think I’m going to pursue short stories (in particular the craft aspect of intercultural stories) I went looking for the Boyd essay that Reiken referenced in the Chekhov article. Maybe you’ve already read it, but I’m headed for it right now. Here’s the link, just in case:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2004/oct/02/featuresreviews.guardianreview38/print

]]> By: cynthia https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2010/01/reading-like-a-writer-part-3-questions-to-ask/#comment-1477 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:51:19 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=4994#comment-1477 In reply to Sarah Laurence.

Thanks, Sarah. Enjoy your revision–I love that stage. Yes, I’ve met such nice “imaginary friends” at your “house.”

]]> By: cynthia https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2010/01/reading-like-a-writer-part-3-questions-to-ask/#comment-1476 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:00:55 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=4994#comment-1476 In reply to A Cuban In London.

A Cuban in London, I appreciate your kind words. I’m still developing my writing process, but I think this matter of choices will probably come into play for me at the revision stage–after I’ve gotten to the heart of the story–until it becomes more organic.

The Schwartz article takes a somewhat more advanced approach to taking stories apart with a close look at James Joyce’s “The Dead” and an interesting 6-step approach.

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