Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: WEEKEND AWAY (short vacation) (07/23/15)
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TITLE: The Layers that Cover a Writer | Previous Challenge Entry
By Hugh Houchin
07/30/15 -
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“You bet, Sam, how about yourself? Don’t forget the handbook, “Make Editing your Empire.” That’s our guide for this year’s weekend retreat.”
“Got it, but haven’t read it.”
“You two talking about the retreat this weekend?” said Patricia. “I’m excited. I’ve never been to Writer’s Cramp Reserve; what’s it like?
“It’s a dude ranch for writers located at the base of Mount Mustedit; a dormant volcano. Years ago, the storied author Arthur Pennedsowell bought it. He opened it to writers who’d lost their muse and needed solitude. Legend says that before the volcano went dormant; when it erupted it blew off steam for writers upset with editors.”
“That’s what I heard, too, Sam. When Faith Literary Writer’s Revue website hired me, someone told me editors go there to appease the angry spirits of any writers who may dwell inside Mount Mustedit, Jenny said.
“The object of our retreats is to fine tune editing, so the merchants of orderly articles know we editors fire bullets from the same gun.
“Sam, where’s your handbook for this year’s retreat?”
“It’s on my desk, I’ll get it.”
“Thanks,” mines at home. I’m caught up here and have time to scan through it. Will give it back after work?”
“Your wish is my command.”
Early the next morning, Sam picked up Jenny and Patricia in his van; after breakfast they drove west towards Writer’s Cramp Reserve. They arrived about noon; checked into their cabins and ate at Louie’s Lava Sidebars.
That afternoon they drove to the top of Mount Mustedit. From a secured walkway, they peered into the bottomless pit of the volcano. Then, on designated paths, they walked along the sloping sides of the ancient volcano.
“Look at those layers of lava chipped away by erosion,” said Patricia. “We can touch lava flows from different eras that cooled one on top of the other. We’re face to face with ancient history.
Makes me want to look for some indication of life, but all I get is cold stone shoulder.”
“I get no indications of any volcanic thought patterns,” said Sam. “Nor do I hear wailing spirits from within. So, guess we’re free and clear this weekend.”
When they returned to the base of the Mount, it was Louie’s Lava Sidebars turn for patronage.
While they ate, Jenny said, “The handbook’s one subject to discuss is how to understand writers as people with personalities.”
“Sounds good, don’t know what they mean; let’s meet here tomorrow at eight for breakfast then go to one of our cabins and hash it out,” Patricia said. “Goodnight.”
After breakfast the next morning Jenny and Patricia agreed the three of them should go to Sam’s cabin.
At Sam’s Patricia asked, “What do you think they mean dealing with a writer’s personality? I think we do. Our criticisms are constructive and we precede them with a compliment.”
“Don’t think that’s direction they want,” said Sam. “Let’s sort it out through the writer’s eyes. They’re interested in more than punctuation, spelling, sentence structure and plot.”
“Bingo, that’s it. Remember, yesterday, when we were on Mount Mustedit?” Jenny said. “We peered down into what looked like a bottomless pit with no end. Then we discovered the chipped layers of lava from different eras that covered one another. That’s the way it is with writers.”
“Think I’m catching on,” Patricia said. The “personality” of the volcano is in the bottomless pit. It’s calm, steady, never changing, and we think we understand it. Then it erupts, and what we thought we understood is different than reality. But, later, we find out more about the volcano through the layers of lava from past history that cover one another.
“The personality of a writer is within what they write. Through the confines of topic, grammar, and deadlines, lays their personality struggling for air through the paraphernalia that constricts it. But they conform, and the structure within what they write may cover up what the writer really is.”
“That’s confusing,” Sam said, “but I understand where you’re coming from. When we edit an author’s story we may be editing a personality that’s doesn’t want buried under another layer.”
“Food for thought, food for thought,” said Jenny, “but what do we do? We have the immovable object against the immoveable force. What an informative weekend away.”
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One thing I might suggest would be to add more body language so the dialog has some breaks in it and to help develop the characters. Some editors discourage writers to start with dialog because it can make the reader feel like she's walking in the middle of something. I don't always agree, but I think you could do something like this to create a picture and show your characters' personalities: Stretching and yawning, Sam looked at the clock and groaned. "Man this Friday is dragging. Got your bags packed, Jenny?"
It's not perfect, but just an example to show you what I mean.
You definitely piqued my curiosity right off the bat. I'm sure just about everyone who reads it can relate. I thought it was quite clever. It's absolutely true that we need to be aware that writers are people with all kinds of emotions and personalities. While it's nice to hear comments like This is a great story, it's also important to provide constructive feedback. I never would have imagined the journey God had planned for me when I joined FW five years ago, but boy did he ever bless me. I have a feeling this story will bless everyone who reads it. Great take on the topic too. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.