Writing Tip of the Week

Musings

 O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend

The brightest heaven of invention,

A kingdom for a stage, princes to act

And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!

…

For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings,

Carry them here and there; jumping o'er times,

Turning the accomplishment of many years

Into an hour-glass: for the which supply,

Admit me Chorus to this history;

Who prologue-like your humble patience pray,

Gently to hear, kindly to judge, our play.

  Shakespeare’s opening to Henry V illustrates the perfect contract between the artist and his audience – two equally important, critically important, persons in that contract. Each depends on the other to complete his part of the bargain if the agreement is to find fulfillment.

  The artist creates his vision in the format he chooses. The audience shows up, pays the price of admission and, most important, engages his imagination to seal the bargain.

  A writer, regardless of his ability to describe a scene in all five senses, still requires the reader to use his imagination to fully experience the scenes. Our readers are the ones whose thoughts ‘deck the kings’ of our work. It is their task to turn the stage into a kingdom or the actor into a king. Or your cowboy, nurse, private detective or warlock into a hero or villain.

  Key to keeping the writer’s side of the bargain is a commitment to do everything possible to see that the reader’s imagination is engaged. In other words, don’t get in the way of the reader’s enjoyment. Examples of getting in the way are everywhere in literature (my works, too, sadly) and include such reading roadblocks as cardboard characters, unrealistic dialog, too much or too little description, and especially the narrator continually injecting himself in the story.

  That last one is a real challenge for many writers. The temptation to jump in and say, “Hey! Here I am, the author. Pay some attention to me?” can be overwhelming. The key is to trust your process and write simply and effectively. Then trust your audience to use their imagination to complete the transaction.

  Chances are the muse will set fire to the imagination and the audience will kindly judge your play.

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Recommended Reading: The First Historians by Baruch Halpern

Quote of the Week:  “One hand cannot applaud alone.” Arabian proverb

Shameless Self Promotion:

 My new photo book is now available in paperback and ebook.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QLTHTQJ?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

  I have reduced the price of the award-winning Sparky and the King for the holiday season.

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“Y Gwir yn erbyn y byd”

A Four Knights Press Production

? Dan Baldwin 2020

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