Looking For Symbols

At some point during my early drafts, if I am writing fiction, I'll look for symbols in the story. If I find them, and if they are significant to the story, I will work at reinforcing them.

I learned more about the use of symbols from the college English Literature course I took this past summer. One thing that was stressed was, beware of finding symbols where none were intended.

Last weekend, at a reading by author Jane Urquhart from her latest novel Sanctuary Line, someone asked her what was significant in her use of cut glass in the book. It seems to come up frequently in the story.

Jane replied that she really didn't know. She recalled that a few members of her family collect cut, or pressed glass. Its appearance in the book must have come from her sub-conscious. It seems it isn't a symbol at all.

Jane is sure that one day, however, some clever reviewer is going to be able to see its significance. And then she'll know what it means!

A delightfully honest answer. I'm not going to worry too much about symbols. They could signify nothing!

Write on!

(The photo above shows sunrise over Lake Flower, in late October. It was taken from our favourite little motel in Saranac Lake, NY.)

Wilma's Wish

Exactly one year ago, our writers' group lost one of our members. It hasn't been the same since. Wilma was the one who kept us on track, encouraged us to "soldier on" whenever one of us felt the sting of rejection.

The successful author of seven children's novels, as well as numerous short stories and a radio play, Wilma had had her share of rejections, but she never let anyone be discouraged for long. It was "pass the Kleenex" and get right on with the writing.

"History with a mystery" was how Wilma E. Alexander described her fiction. As was our custom at meetings, Wilma read novel number eight, Finding Silver, to us, chapter by chapter over the months, looking for suggestions and hearing how it sounded read aloud. We listened and made our comments. We all loved it.

Wilma had a wonderful sense of story. She and I used to toss around, half-jokingly, the idea of collaborating on something one day. My books are character-driven; I spend a great deal of time developing characters and letting them decide where we're going. On the other hand, Wilma had this wonderful ability to weave the most intriguing plots.

She had completed this eighth novel for young readers and was shopping it around to various publishers when she became ill. Before we knew it, she was gone. Her final wish, according to her husband, Jim, was that he publish Finding Silver himself.

This week, Wilma's wish came true, and Jim accepted delivery of Wilma's last novel from the printer. He had taken great care in selecting a publisher and in arranging for editing and proof- reading of the manuscript. Only another writer can appreciate what a labour of love this was.

The finished book looks most professional. Wilma would be proud. Besides the fascinating story inside, the book is attractively designed with an eye-catching cover. It is well-bound and has a reader-friendly typeface that will appeal to children.

Thanks to Jim Alexander's generosity, every school and library in a wide area will receive copies of Finding Silver at no charge. Any proceeds from further sales of the book will go directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, in Wilma's memory.

Soldier on, fellow writers.

Stephen King's "On Writing"

I had to share my prize lily with you. I keep going into the garden and taking more pictures of it. I hope it brightens your day.

A friend of mine has just returned my copy of Stephen King's book, "On Writing: a Memoir of the Craft" (Pocket Books, 2000). Instead of putting it back on the shelf above my desk, I've been re-reading it. I've read it at least twice before, but it's one of those books on writing that I never tire of. I highly recommend it.

Although not all of King's stories are to my taste, I recognize that he is a master of his craft. His writing is tight, he eschews adverbs and reminds us to "omit unnecessary words."

I found most helpful his section on "the bells and whistles," i.e., pacing, theme and symbolism. There comes a point, usually after the first draft is done, where you ask yourself, "What is this story about, anyway?" Perhaps it seems to be going off in many different directions.

Now is the time to re-read your story, all at one sitting if you can. If you discover during this reading that there is evidence of a theme or something recurring that could be used as a symbol, you can bring this out and reinforce it in the second draft.

King reminds us, "None of the bells and whistles are about story, right? Only story is about story." He says, "Symbolism (and other adornments too) ... can serve as a focusing device for both you and your reader, helping to create a more unified and pleasing work. ... When you read your manuscript over...you'll see if symbolism or the potential for it, exists. If it doesn't, leave well enough alone. If it does, however... go for it. Enhance it."

I've found this advice has helped to strengthen and unify my own stories.

Write on.