Maggie’s Comments (group member since Feb 11, 2011)

Maggie’s comments from the Q&A with Adam Haslett group.

Mr. Haslett,

Thank you for Union Atlantic. I don't think I'll ever forget the scene when Henry takes Evelyn to see the cages of gold below the sidewalk.

On the sentence appreciation topic, here's one I just read in M Bovary - "The metaphors of betrothed, spouse, heavenly lover, marriage everlasting, that recur in sermons, awoke in the depths of her soul an unlooked-for delight."

Why do I like it? Groovy, germane list, and "awoke in the depths of her soul an unlooked-for delight" is a treat because this is only p.48, and we readers know what this gal is in store for (if we've listen to the hype for the past 150 years. Or read the book jacket).

So. Here's my dilemma. I don't really know why I like a sentence, other than it making me laugh, surprising me, or teaching me a new vocabulary word. When I read what sentences my writing heroes love, I'm confused. I think, He picked that one? There's not much going on there. I don't understand syntax. I mean, I could locate the subject, verb, direct object, modifiers, and adjectives, but the categories blend together, and I'm only looking for the meaning, for what happens next. Which is how one should read? Or not?

I spent most of my childhood and teenage years watching television. I never learned a foreign language, only crammed the night before a Spanish exam.

I'm wondering if my affection for reading would grow if I learned how to diagram a sentence, or speak French. I bought Fish's book online yesterday. Perhaps that will help.

Last thing. I promise. I gave my manuscript to a writer and teacher whom I respect. He cut fifty pages of what I thought essential. I read my own work aloud, and I like the way my sentences sound. It's really hard for me to cut anything I write. I used to act, and I say my words back with panache. Maybe I should read my work aloud like a robot.

Thanks again for your work. Looking forward to reading more of it.

Maggie