by Cynthia Newberry Martin | Dec 16, 2012 | craft of writing, details, novels, reading, reviews, truth |
Well there’s a big question… And I belong to a big family–this month we have four weddings–a godson, two nieces, and a son–and Christmas. Still I want to take time out to begin (yes I just mean begin) again to think about this question....
by Cynthia Newberry Martin | Aug 25, 2012 | craft of writing, first novels, memory, shapes |
Christine Schutt Florida debut novel Harcourt/A Harvest Book paperback 2004 On structure echoing content: Nothing then, nothing held its shape but blew away. (52) Dear Alice, you don’t have to tell the whole story. (79) On the structure: 4 parts with 52 short...
by Cynthia Newberry Martin | Aug 10, 2012 | craft of writing, details |
Paul Lisicky The Burning House Etruscan Press paperback 2011 . On smell: …her hair, which smelled of grapefruit and smoke. (35) Practical, pleasant smells came off her skin: vaporizer, toothpaste, Vaseline Intensive Care. (43) I loved their smells: laundry soap,...
by Cynthia Newberry Martin | Jul 26, 2012 | craft of writing |
One of the things I’m learning from my photo journal and from writing is how many different ways there are of seeing a thing. Seeing comes before words. –John Berger Ways of Seeing From inside: From outside: Through a stormy day: Through a sunny day: By...
by Cynthia Newberry Martin | Jul 21, 2012 | craft of writing |
Richard Russo Straight Man Vintage paperback 1997 . On Super Dialogue (of which Russo is a master): (“as if” and other ways to give your dialogue more power) “that would be illegal,” Teddy said, but his voice didn’t fall quite right, leaving an implied...
by Cynthia Newberry Martin | Jun 27, 2012 | craft of writing, details, novels |
Ann Patchett State of Wonder Harper hardback 2011 . On beginnings: “The news of Anders Eckman’s death came by way of Aerogram, a piece of bright blue airmail paper that served as both the stationery and, when folded over and sealed along the edges, the...
