Fiction v. Real Life
It is a truism that fiction writers seek and find ideas for their stories in real life--where else could they find them? But the newspapers, diaries, personal memoirs, etc., that record that real life seldom result in a story with the focus and depth of fiction. The factual reports may provide the events of a story, but "plot" and that closely related element "character" tend to come from the fiction writer's imagination. That imagination is the tool by which factual happenings are converted into a story with structure and purpose: inventing fictional characters who perform the actual deeds, discovering motivations that were obscure or absent from the factual report, structuring the factual events into the shape of a meaningful conclusion. Though this sounds rather cut and dried, it is this exercise of the fiction writer's imagination that generates excitement and fun for the author and, one hopes, for the reader.
I agree with this comment. Fiction is often based on a writer's true life experiences with the writer's injection of their boundless imagination.
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Thanks for your comment--and if it wasn't for the autobiographical experiences that help form the writer's story, the study of literature would lose a number of insightful (and some not-so) portraits of authors as well as analyses of the magic of writing: good biographies of Henry James, Hemingway, Edith Wharton, etc., show both the facts as well as the working of those writers' imaginations on those facts.
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I agree with your assessment, Professor Burns (I am a former student). We can only write what we know, whether it is from life experience or from research. But then, as we sit before the computer, typewriter or yellow legal pad, the imagination should take the lead, melding experience with imagination to build plot and develop character. There's a huge difference in my writing when I'm fully plugged into the imagination; it seems to flow effortlessly through me and onto the page. I only wish it happened more frequently. Best wishes.
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Hi, Sue McGhee--
Thank you for your comment of 22 May and I apologize for not having answered sooner--my blog site is generally dormant and my time goes more to my email site. There is, indeed, a difference when the imagination kicks in, the words flow, and the muse sings. Perhaps it's good that it doesn't occur so often that we take it for granted (but a couple days a week wouldn't be amiss).
When you have time, please bring me up to date on your writing.
Best wishes,
Rex Burns
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Re: Seminar on American Literature in Paraná, Argentina, 1977
Someone said, what are you waiting for?
Godot, I answered back. ( Paraná, Argentina 1977 )
Rex,
I am very happy to know you have succeeded in doing such a good job as a writer and that so much is being said about it.
Kindest regards.
María Inés
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Hi, Marines--
Good to hear from you and thank you for the kind words! It has been a long time, and I hope the years have been gentle for you. Here's my email address: rexburns@comcast.net. --write when you have time and let me know how you're doing.
All best wishes,
Rex
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Hello Rex,
I´d start by saying I´m just fine. It´s true that quite a number of years have gone by - a marriage, a 19 years old daughter and a divorce.
Before my 30´s I became involved with the world of tourism and gave up teaching. A sense of uneasiness began somewhere and it was right there - present in my life.
I managed to cope with the new activity and did well with it. As a result of this I´ve been to different places. But all this ended up nearly ten years ago - went along with the ending of the marriage.
Unknowingly - watching my daugther grow up - that odd sense - and how odd it was - uneasiness - vanished.
Next - next? - I set out a long and difficult journey in the search of myself and finally - coming to an agreement with myself - I sort of ratified what I´d gone in for when I was 18. I started teaching once again. And I´m happy about it - this is why I´m just fine at the moment.
All the very best,
María Inés
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