Judge By the Book
Friday April 4, 2008
I once took a class in fiction-writing class (took quite a few of them actually)... but in this one the professor talked about how to flesh out the character, make the person really come to life. She handed out a list of bio questions to ask yourself about the character (things like birth place, favorite color, pets, parents, etc.) The idea is that you should get inside the head of the character, really figure out what makes the person tick (even though you can't put even a fraction of those details into most fictional pieces that you write).Then, she offered an interesting comment/piece of advice: "Have you ever looked in the medicine cabinet of a friend or acquaintance? What about the book shelf? What does the medicine cabinet and/or book shelf say about that person?" Then, she said: "Imagine you're looking at your character's book shelf? What do the books on the shelf say about who the character is?" And, of course, the absence of books on the shelf says a lot as well...
I was thinking about this episode in my fiction-writing career when I saw the Twitter feed from WritersWrite.com in reference to The New York Times article: It's Not You, It's Your Books. Rachel Donadio's discussion of the dating trials and tribulations of the true bibliophiles may ring true for you; or you may have encountered a similar rude awakenings when it comes to former friends or acquaintances.
Or maybe Donadio is right when she says: "Brainy women are probably more sensitive to literary deal breakers than are brainy men... After all, women read more, especially when it comes to fiction."
I honestly can't say that any of my friendships or relationships have been based strictly on books or reading habits, but my friends (and those with whom I like to spend most of my time) read books, or at least can discuss them (with busy lives, the number of books they've left unfinished lately can be a topic of discussion in itself). I guess the real question is... How much does your love of books and appreciation for literature affect your life? Does it affect who you hang out with--what you talk about and/or write about? And, would you date/hang out with a person who had never read a book?
Comments
I am a semi-brainy woman, and I find that reading fiction at times is less satisfying than say, a cookbook. Trouble is, the brainy man who notices that I am reading a cookbook buys it for himself, makes a few recipes, and deems me replaceable. (With himself, that is) Why hang out and date? If I discuss an important work of fiction, I am suddenly threatening. I can’t even be given the chance to cook for him!
Being brainy isn’t necessarily for showing off. Find activities that you like to share with your date–and celebrate those things. If the cerebral connection is what you like best with a date, chose someone who is not out to compete; find someone who appreciates you.
I don’t “require” my friends to be bookish. However, I find that the ones to whom I end up becoming close are those that read. On a related note, my husband didn’t read much at all when I first met him. However, over the course of our life together he has chosen to read more and more. He is quite the reader now.
I hae numerous friends who prattle on about politics,cars,restaurants,cats,horses,finances,and other subjects.I have three friends who read extensively.
Each and every person has the right and duty to pursue what they do best. As a history major,I have been lucky enough to have great instructors and what is more interesting subject matter. Recently I have fallen into more literature and literary criticism. It’s a welcome break.
Certainly authors can imagine a different ending,a different plot line, a different chapter or an omission made by authors. This may be the best stimulus for writing,filling in the voids.