Friday 3 August 2007
Inspiration everywhere, if we detach
A battle was raging all across the playroom. Transformer robots clashed on the ground and in the air as the commander, grandson Sandro, marshalled first one side then the other, changing tactics depending on where the combatants ended up after each sally. Now and again, he would stop the action to explain patiently to me what was happening. The sides were Goodies and Baddies, of course, and the Goodies don't always win. However, although people were being zapped, powed and destroyed all over the place, everyone recovered in time for the next battle. No bodybags here. Intrigued by his even-handedness between Goodies and Baddies, I asked him which he was, Goody or Baddy. With one of those withering looks that only a five-year old can produce, he explained, “Neither. I'm not here!”
How about that as a slogan for a writer! “I'm not here!”. Totally involved in the plot but detached from it as well, letting the characters build the action and writing down their fascinating history as it unfolds, building the tension by accepting that the Baddies win for much of the time!
And it's great to know that he isn't a committed goody-goody...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
what a wonderful philosophy from your grandson !!
hope you are having a great time with them
ruth
Yes, an interesting way to look at the writing process. To be present and yet not at the same time...maybe even a healthy way to approach life too sometimes!
Often the writing process seems most creative for me without any preconcieved plan but following an initial intuition. Although, i have to take a leap of faith too write this way that something will appear!
Children are often an inspiration i think!
Post a Comment