In our last class, Lacy gave the class a copy of "Foucault and a Pencil" by Lydia Davis in order show us alternative ways of writing in the hope that it would make writing our Personal Narrative stories easier. I really enjoyed reading "Foucault and a Pencil" because it was cool to listen to a story strictly from the authors thoughts. No background info, just plain, unaltered thoughts.
So for the sake of inspiration, Lacy had the class write in the same style that Lydia Davis did in "Foucault and a Pencil". This is what I wrote.........
Going to Vespers. Walked up mountain. Look for Finley group. Find Finley group. Sit down. Get comfortable. Relax. Look out over mountains. Music begins. New song never heard before. Listen. Think. Listen to chorus. Fall in love. Take words to heart. Think. Close eyes. Reflect. Open Eyes. Song ends. Listen to quote. Reflect. Wait for next song. Repeat
I really enjoyed doing this activity because I feel like it put me back into the moment that I am going to try to be writing about. It allowed me to re-see all that I saw and re-feel all that I felt. I also think that this form of writing really allows the reader to be in the mindset of the author. This from of writing really brings the reader and author closer. It allows the reader to feel what the author is feeling.
Hey Cory, I loved your paragraph using the writing style of Davis! You used it very well, putting the reader in a position of intimacy with your thoughts. It also makes one feel like they are there with you, eavesdropping on your special moment! It adds an unexpected objective tone to an event that is so subjective.
ReplyDeleteHey. If I remember correctly you read this out loud in class. When you were reading it I was pretty amazed at how smooth and fluent it sounded. I actually felt that I could picture what you were saying and it put me in the moment. I never saw this as listening to the writers "plain, unaltered thoughts," but after you mention this I see what you are saying. I agree that this activity helped put us in the moment and almost re-live it! Props to Lacy for sharing this with us haha!
ReplyDeleteCory, thanks for your analysis of how this kind of writer feels to the reader... I can really see you "reading like a writer" here. Thinking about how author's craft decisions might be useful in your own writing.
ReplyDeleteI also loved doing this assignment because it makes you think back and it takes you to the exact moment. You wrote this with great fluidity and it was really nice to read. It definitely made me connect with how you were feeling.
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