Great piece, thanks. I agree with another of your readers below that the deer really resonate as symbols (check out the deer in 2023 film "Leave the World Behind"). I once stumbled across the term "desire line," looked up its meaning, and then wrote a story around it, just so I could use it somewhere, somehow. It was hard, but I forced myself to keep the subject small and local, then I waited for the symbolism to emerge. I think it worked!
Hi Alice, like the others, I'm also curious about your morning writing prompts!
In terms of my own writing, I like pouring it all out first and then look at any symbolism during the re-editing stage. I may then try to expand on a few elements, to play with the symbol, but not too hard so it doesn't become too obvious and detract from the story.
With this post, I felt that the deers were a strong symbol! For all of us and what we have lost as we encroach on the natural world, maybe even for yourself, being "fenced in" by neighbours. They stood out vividly in my mind.
I love all of this, though I felt sad about the effect of the fence on the animals where you live and your relationship with them. I was relieved to read that, similar to other writers here, I (actually, most often!) am unaware of the symbols I use in my writing until readers point them out. But I kind of love that, how mysterious the process is, how, apparently I am receiving messages from...where?
Pamela - what is the book you're reading on the unconscious?
And, like Stephanie, I would love to hear about your (Alice's) warm up process.
Finally, due in large part to Fellowship Point, I had wanted to visit Maine for quite some time. I finally did at the beginning of May. It was otherwordly, the natural beauty, the people, the FOOD!! Now I am re-reading FP for the gorgeous sentences, the pleasure of spending time with these characters, and the sheer joy of being able to picture many of the locations.
Thanks so much Erica. I was very sad about the effect of the fence on the deer. They were so confused and frantic. I'm so glad you had the opportunity to go to Maine!
In school, I was tuned in to symbols, foreshadowing, foils, and themes and enjoyed the hunt and the analysis. Now - you'd be ashamed of me, Alice! - I'm mostly in it for the story and connection to the characters. It's possible I'd miss even a fence symbol. Sigh... I doubt I've ever consciously incorporated a symbol in my writing. Let me know if you spot one!
Will we be able to read the story that came to you whole at some point?
I love when I notice the symbol after I’ve written it, when it seems like I must have planned it all along even if I didn’t know it. If you’re someone who writes from the unconscious mind (as we are at times, if not always, right?) it’s very reassuring. If I spoke to my unconscious mind I would say to it: thank you! at least one of us knows what we’re doing! Once I notice it, (conscious mind) I stick with it. Make use of it. So organic plus? As a reader, i think it can be a losing game to try and figure out whether the symbol was organic or not. If it feels clunky, does that mean it wasn’t organic? Or was it organic but not elegantly expressed? I have read things without noticing the symbol many times and I guess I feel like in a perfect world the story should work whether notice the symbol or not. Like extra delicious if you do but still tasty if you don’t. Agree?
I’m reading a book about the unconscious which is the source of symbols that operate beyond language. Right? The fence can be translated and yet what it symbolizes is so complex it can’t be defined. Ownership, protection, property , division , separation, humans imposing their will on nature …. Fascinating.
I have done both-invented and organic, mostly organic, but would love to hear more about your writing warm up. Or be pointed to somewhere you’ve written about it.
Great piece, thanks. I agree with another of your readers below that the deer really resonate as symbols (check out the deer in 2023 film "Leave the World Behind"). I once stumbled across the term "desire line," looked up its meaning, and then wrote a story around it, just so I could use it somewhere, somehow. It was hard, but I forced myself to keep the subject small and local, then I waited for the symbolism to emerge. I think it worked!
Hi Alice, like the others, I'm also curious about your morning writing prompts!
In terms of my own writing, I like pouring it all out first and then look at any symbolism during the re-editing stage. I may then try to expand on a few elements, to play with the symbol, but not too hard so it doesn't become too obvious and detract from the story.
With this post, I felt that the deers were a strong symbol! For all of us and what we have lost as we encroach on the natural world, maybe even for yourself, being "fenced in" by neighbours. They stood out vividly in my mind.
I love all of this, though I felt sad about the effect of the fence on the animals where you live and your relationship with them. I was relieved to read that, similar to other writers here, I (actually, most often!) am unaware of the symbols I use in my writing until readers point them out. But I kind of love that, how mysterious the process is, how, apparently I am receiving messages from...where?
Pamela - what is the book you're reading on the unconscious?
And, like Stephanie, I would love to hear about your (Alice's) warm up process.
Finally, due in large part to Fellowship Point, I had wanted to visit Maine for quite some time. I finally did at the beginning of May. It was otherwordly, the natural beauty, the people, the FOOD!! Now I am re-reading FP for the gorgeous sentences, the pleasure of spending time with these characters, and the sheer joy of being able to picture many of the locations.
Thanks so much Erica. I was very sad about the effect of the fence on the deer. They were so confused and frantic. I'm so glad you had the opportunity to go to Maine!
In school, I was tuned in to symbols, foreshadowing, foils, and themes and enjoyed the hunt and the analysis. Now - you'd be ashamed of me, Alice! - I'm mostly in it for the story and connection to the characters. It's possible I'd miss even a fence symbol. Sigh... I doubt I've ever consciously incorporated a symbol in my writing. Let me know if you spot one!
Will we be able to read the story that came to you whole at some point?
I love when I notice the symbol after I’ve written it, when it seems like I must have planned it all along even if I didn’t know it. If you’re someone who writes from the unconscious mind (as we are at times, if not always, right?) it’s very reassuring. If I spoke to my unconscious mind I would say to it: thank you! at least one of us knows what we’re doing! Once I notice it, (conscious mind) I stick with it. Make use of it. So organic plus? As a reader, i think it can be a losing game to try and figure out whether the symbol was organic or not. If it feels clunky, does that mean it wasn’t organic? Or was it organic but not elegantly expressed? I have read things without noticing the symbol many times and I guess I feel like in a perfect world the story should work whether notice the symbol or not. Like extra delicious if you do but still tasty if you don’t. Agree?
Agree, and what a wonderful comment. I am trying to become more symbolic!
I’m reading a book about the unconscious which is the source of symbols that operate beyond language. Right? The fence can be translated and yet what it symbolizes is so complex it can’t be defined. Ownership, protection, property , division , separation, humans imposing their will on nature …. Fascinating.
I have done both-invented and organic, mostly organic, but would love to hear more about your writing warm up. Or be pointed to somewhere you’ve written about it.