Cheryl Snell's Blog, page 54

October 16, 2010

Across a Crowded Room: How to Fall in Love with Your Novel

attraction You've always had it in the back of your mind, this idea to write a novel "someday," but that's one elastic time frame. How to make the first move? As with all relationships, the action starts with a spark. For me, it was a TV show documenting an Indian's decision to leave his family and renounce the world according to ancient principles of sanyasi. "Do they really still do that? " I asked my husband. Suddenly I had a thousand questions, and I needed to explore them through writing."I never know what I think about a subject until I've written on it," Faulkner said.

romance I drafted a few poems on the subject, then tried it as a story. I flirted with the possibility that my project could develop into a novel. I entertained ideas for a protagonist who had to deal with more than Sanyasi man's yoke of tradition and conflicting familial expectations. I began to wonder how his wife felt. What was she like, anyway? A portrait of my fierce matriarch Amma emerged from under my pen. I set her in a milieu, got her into trouble. The conflict appeared as the character of Alice, the American "unsuitable bride" to a favorite son.

passion I became absorbed by Indian myths, customs, and philosophy that would flesh out my characters. My research took me on a wild ride: I learned to cook my characters' favorite dishes, played the music they listened to, learned to speak a few words of Tamil. The overarching theme of divided loyalties in the work took shape as my characters ran amok in interesting ways, startling me. They invaded my dreams. I slept with a notepad ready to receive unconscious insights, and spent my waking hours focused on my story.

intimacy At a certain point, you've gained entry into the characters' heads and they begin to sound distinct from one another. Would Amma really respond that way to a stewardess? Did that subversive vibe suit Alice better than Nela? The mystery of creating takes the writer over, and the creations become palpable, even more insistent on their own agenda. Listening to my characters' desires is similar to listening to my own intuition, the same small voice that can so easily be drowned out.

commitment During this stage, you can count on a test of endurance. You are tired. You have compassion-fatigue for your characters. You wish they would shut up. The blandishments of the real world you were so recently able to resist, are irresistible now. You pick up a fashion magazine for the first time in ages. The phrase I'll write tomorrow pops into your mind, and it seems ok to cheat on today's session. All right. So take a break. The work continues underground and seeps through in dreams, if you're lucky -- and finally,out of desperation, disgust, deadlines or something more positive, you'll feel a surge of energy one fine day. What are they doing? you'll wonder about your people. You'll pick up your pen. You'll find out.
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Published on October 16, 2010 06:17

Across a Crowded Room: How to Fall in Love with your Novel

attraction You've always had it in the back of your mind, this idea to write a novel "someday," but that's one elastic time frame. How to make the first move toward your cherished goal? As with all relationships, action starts with a spark. For me, it was a TV show documenting an Indian's decision to leave his family and renounce the world according to ancient principles of sanyasi. "Do they really still do that? " I asked my husband. Suddenly I had a thousand questions, and I needed to explore them through writing."I never know what I think about a subject until I've written on it," Faulkner said.

romance I drafted a few poems on the subject, then tried it as a story. I flirted with the possibility that my project could develop into a novel. I entertained ideas for a protagonist who had to deal with more than Sanyasi man's yoke of tradition and conflicting familial expectations. I began to wonder how his wife felt. What was she like, anyway? A portrait of my fierce matriarch Amma emerged from under my pen. I set her in a milleu, got her into trouble with the conflict that appeared as the character of Alice, the American "unsuitable bride" for a favorite son.

passion I became absorbed by Indian myths, customs, and philosophy that would flesh out my characters. My research took me on a wild ride: I learned to cook my characters' favorite dishes, played the music they listened to, learned to speak a few words of Tamil. The overarching theme of divided loyalties in the work took shape as my characters ran amok in interesting ways, startling me. They invaded my dreams. I slept with a notepad ready to receive unconscious insights, and spent my waking hours focused on my story. Something had to give – for me, it was housework.

intimacy At a certain point, you've gained entry into the characters' heads and they begin to sound distinct from one another. Would Amma really respond that way to a stewardess? Did that subversive vibe suit Alice better than Nela? The mystery of creating takes the writer over, and the creations become palpable, and more insistent on their own agenda. I think of listening to my characters as similar to listening to my intuition, the same small voice that can so easily be drowned out by the author's original concept.

commitment During this stage, you can count on a test of endurance. You are tired. You have compassion-fatigue for your characters. You wish they would shut up. The blandishments of the real world you were so recently able to resist, are irresistible now. You pick up a fashion magazine for the first time in ages. The phrase I'll write tomorrow pops into your mind, and it seems ok to skip today's session. So take a break. The work continues underground and seeps through in dreams, if you're lucky, and finally,out of desperation, disgust, deadlines or something more positive, you'll feel a surge of energy, one fine day. What are they doing? you'll wonder, about your people. You'll pick up your pen. You'll find out.
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Published on October 16, 2010 06:17

October 15, 2010

The Heart's Cultural Divide

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Published on October 15, 2010 13:29

Nicole Krauss

An interview with Nicole Krauss on NPR. She's got a nerve-wracking writing process that really works for her, but made me warn myself: don't try this at home.
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Published on October 15, 2010 09:42

October 14, 2010

Saraswati


An especially sweet part of Navaratri is the Saraswati puja. The goddess of learning is worshiped on the ninth day. Books and musical instruments are placed on a wooden plank covered in red silk—-perhaps the family ledger, one of the children's math books, copies of the Ramayana or Bhagavad Gita. Sometimes a tool or small machine is added. Sanskrit slokas like this one are recited.
"Shrii Saraswatii Namahstubhyam Varade Kaama Ruupini/Twaam Aham Praarthane Devii Vidyaadaanam Cha Dehi Me" (I bow to Goddess Saraswati, who fulfills the wishes of the devotees. I pray her to enlighten me with knowledge.) It is believed that the Goddess herself is blessing the books and the instruments.

On this day, Vidyarambham, Hindu children are taught to write their first word. It's an auspicious day to begin a child's education.Initiation into the world of alphabets usually begins with the writing of the mantra Om hari sri ganapataye namah" Hari refers to the Lord, sri to prosperity.

"When you were five, I remember your father helping you to form the sacred letter Shri on your first Saraswati puja. We had chosen the books for the altar and I added a harmonium. The Goddess of Learning loves music! Your aunties and I wore yellow saris and made coconut koyakattai. I was so proud when you were old enough to read at the altar beside your father. But very soon, you would whisper to him, as if the Goddess might overhear, "Is that enough, Appa?" It was the same way Ram always asked Samba." (from Shiva's Arms)

The mantra is written first on sand, denoting practice; then in a tray of rice grains, representing the acquisition of knowledge, which leads to prosperity. Finally, the priest writes the mantra on the child's tongue with gold, symbolic of the wealth of true knowledge. The women in the family wear yellow saris, decorate with palash flowers or marigolds, and distribute coconut koyakkatai as prasad for the worshipers.

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Published on October 14, 2010 15:49

Good Cry



music by Kevin Macleod
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Published on October 14, 2010 14:36

October 13, 2010

Editors' Pick

Thanks, She Writes, for featuring my post this week.
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Published on October 13, 2010 06:48

October 12, 2010

Whale Sound

To hear the dulcet-voiced Nic Sebastian read my poem "Shelter" for Whale Sound,click this. She does a wonderful job, and I am very grateful.
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Published on October 12, 2010 10:05

Golu Display




---courtesy the in-laws
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Published on October 12, 2010 04:58

October 10, 2010

Navarathri Mandapam (Part 1)

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Published on October 10, 2010 09:30