Hidden Irony |
Author: Michael Scott (---.bb.sky.com)
Date: 05-17-08 21:13
I am trying to embed secrets* into my novel. I write better under restrictions. I am a born p***taker. I can't help it.
"It doesn't work that way." Objected Claire "You finish your dinner first or there will be no ice-cream."
After deliberation, it was Claire's ruling that none of the children could have desert until everybody had finished.
If I explain, the first statement was made when Claire was lawyer, the second, years later when she had become a judge.
Do other writers get involved in this type of crazy encryption.
*Secrets is not the right word, it's late, I'm tired.
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: Ce Ce (---.clt.bellsouth.net)
Date: 05-17-08 21:20
I have no idea what you're talking about.
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: Michael Scott (---.bb.sky.com)
Date: 05-17-08 21:30
"It doesn't work that way." OBJECTED Claire "You finish your dinner first or there will be no ice-cream."
After DELIBERATION, it was Claire's RULING that none of the children could have desert until everybody had finished.
I can't see what you can't see, as a lawyer, she would OBJECT. Now that she is a judge she would have to DELIBERATE and then make RULING!
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: jayce (---.mob.bellsouth.net)
Date: 05-17-08 21:50
What Ce Ce said.
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: The Midnight Writer (---.244.105.155.Dial1.StLouis1.Level3.net)
Date: 05-17-08 22:06
I understand what you did and can follow your logic and terminology, but i don't really understand why you did it. Are you trying to tell us that she was a lawyer and is now a judge without explicitly telling us? If so, why? Why is it important to your plot to secretly embed these details?
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: Michael Scott (---.bb.sky.com)
Date: 05-17-08 22:14
I can believe this! It contained within most of my work.! I call it Spheres and cubes. If you write in spheres, what ever angle you look at it from it's a sphere. If you write a cube. It's different from different angles. it could be a square or a diamond or a rhombus?
Ok, I have another character, you won't see it but he is constantly reminding you that you are reading a book. It's hidden is his dialogue.
Sample lines.
"Okay now that we are on the same page"
"It is so written"
"You are a strange character"
"Turn over a new leaf"
"Don't get upset, there just words"
"The judge said five years, you are gonna have to do the whole sentence period."
Nobody's supposed to see it, if they ever do, I'll probably get locked up. maybe it's just fun to do.
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: the cat came back (---.cpe.net.cable.roger)
Date: 05-17-08 22:35
Secrets? I think you mean figurative language or some such.
Why are you getting so strung out about it is what puzzles me.
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: Smiling Curmudgeon (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 05-17-08 22:49
Michael,
I'm with those who replied above.
If you're writing this way because it pleases you, that's fine. If you're doing it to entertain friends who enjoy puzzles, that's fine too.
Is your intent to become a published writer with this approach?
cur
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: The Midnight Writer (---.244.150.129.Dial1.StLouis1.Level3.net)
Date: 05-18-08 01:10
whatever makes you happy
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: d. Leroy (63.123.69.---)
Date: 05-18-08 06:45
This may be one of the strangest things I've ever seen on here.
Michael... no one cares.
d.
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: Michael Scott (---.bb.sky.com)
Date: 05-18-08 07:15
I think this is really funny! I think that is cultural.
Read, The taming of the shrew - William Shakespeare, tell me what it's about.
If creative writing is art. You can either take the paper as the canvass, or the plot. If you look at the film industry. American films tend to be straightforward and simplistic. European films tend to be more deep and involved.
I read a book as a child, where during the opening paragraph the author states with word that it is a true story. Ten years later my sister pointed out the following to me. The ship that he arrived on wasn't built at that time and the Statue of liberty did not exist until 20 years later. It is not a mistke, he is telling you that this whole story is lie. Armed with that information I re-read the book. It is a totally different read.
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: Busy Lizzy (---.dip.t-dialin.net)
Date: 05-18-08 09:55
To me, it sounds like you are aiming at weaving details into your writing that don't jump at you directly.
On closer reading, people would say, "Wow. How carefully constructed that man wrote!"
When you are famous, generations of students will have to labor at finding those hints and details, in order to get good grades and make their teachers happy.
Is that what you're at?
Well, if you like, do it. Obviously it's fun to you. It's your personal style and it is your right to develop it.
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: Dave O (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date: 05-18-08 14:19
I get it. I don't see anything wrong with it, and in context it might well come off as witty, funny, etc.
Write the way you want to. I know that on occasion other authors do similar things.
For example, in George Martin's A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, one of the major characters who has a bodyguard called the Rainbowguard, with each knight having his/her own color. The character turns out to be gay, and the rainbow actually alludes to that fact. (the Rainbow flag is considered a symbol of gay pride.) so yea. LOL. Only somewhat similar example I could think of.
Lots of great writers have their own unique quirky styles. If you believe it contributes to your work, then do it!
However, keep in mind, that if people here don't get it, an agent or editor might not either.
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: Michael Scott (---.bb.sky.com)
Date: 05-18-08 14:30
I wrote a long assed post. It didn't work and I can't be bothered to write it again.
I like cautionary tales. I beleive in the concepts of method and madness. I assume that most of you here are Americans. From the reaction to my posts I am learning more about your culture everday, and the individuals on the board.
The hijacked thread 'Identity Crisis' has baffled me. You seem to have talking about Jews for a week!
Bygones!
Random Comment:- At writing school, class, whatever. They taught you all of the rules of writing. What they didn't tell you. (He looks both ways to check for spies or possibly even snipers) Any work that's any good breaks said rules.
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: L Bea (---.bltmmd.fios.verizon.net)
Date: 05-18-08 22:13
Michael,
Hi. I sort of see what you're saying, but I think it's a waste of energy to be honest. The average reader is not going to catch your intent. We just want a good story. If you're going to do such a "gimmick" it needs to be very good, worthwile and have an obvious payoff. The example you use here is just not impressive. As a reader and an intellect, I'm not going to really sit up and take note. Sorry if that sounds harsh. Perhaps, as you say, it is a cultural thing; but I doubt it.
There was a black and white movie I saw years ago and I can't remember the name of it. The father was very "efficient" for lack of a better term. Everything he did in raising his children to buttoning his shirt reflected his military and very stringent background and character. If you are painting a character in such a way, this technique could be effective. For example the dad who is a commander in the armed services treats his family/children like his troupe. THAT could be well taken but you have to help us see his character first. Perhaps, as in your example, a judge is considered reputable and very stern and no-nonesense about his/her rulings and treats the rest of his/her life the same way. That would work, but you have to paint the character this way rather than encrypty the character. THEN the clever things you write will be seen by most readers. THAT'S good writing. You don't want to be clever and clandestine just to be clever and clandestine. Does that make sense?
As always, just trying to help and just my opinion. Sometimes we get ideas that seem good to us, because we're the only ones who see it inside our heads. Remember, we don't have that advantage as readers. You have to communicate it to us. You have to SHOW us the character and then if you want to be clever with your character -- do that. That's awesome when you read and get a payoff like that, but you have to set the stage first.
Bea
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: Keith . (---.dhcp.spbg.sc.charter.com)
Date: 05-19-08 09:04
Sound like your novel may stay a "secret" for a long time ...
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Re: Hidden Irony |
Author: Tim Underwood (---.ph.ph.cox.net)
Date: 05-28-08 23:33
Michael,
having conversations between characters which have two meanings going on can be really interesting. First, though, the straight or simple meaning has to carry the whole scene. Adding a different of second meaning in the conversation is there then for the reader who is interested in more than just a good story.
I tend to use such in descriptions to help explain hidden depth into the characters. If the reader gets it, great, if not, that's ok too.
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