This was a fun exercise at Isabel Huggan’s writing workshop (or playtime, as she called it) last Saturday. What would the perfect work of literature (which you aspire to write) look like? We had a wonderful variety of answers in the room (some referring to poetry, others to memoir, others to short stories, still others to novels): a flower to be appreciated with all your senses; a cryptic crossword puzzle to tease, intrigue and engage the reader; climbing a pole; inviting a guest for tea in your house, they can only know what you choose to show them, they cannot rifle through your drawers…
Here is my answer – which probably explains why I write crime fiction.
My Ideal Novel
It’s an exhilarating run down the perfect piste. When you forget about rules, about bending your knees and the aches in your joints, you just become rhythm and flow, natural as breathing. Sometimes it’s sunny, sometimes it’s cloudy, snow may obscure your view… But you are free, you stay away from the crowds and there is no fear in being alone.
The thrill of no limits waxes you, the comfort of the familiar swooshing sound weans you, high speed and sense of danger pumps up your adrenaline, yet you always feel just within your control.
All you know is you want to reach the bottom in one piece, but you’re happy to let twists, turns, bumps and snow conditions surprise you. No matter how dark or despairing you feel to start out with, some inner joy grabs you as you hurtle and gather speed, until you cannot deny the gravitational pull anymore.
What a brilliant aspiration Marina – I like that you can’t deny the gravitational pull any longer!
The writing gets faster and faster as you get towards the climax of a novel and the end…
Skiing as representative of a perfect novel is a good one. Using the sports analogy, I’d like to think of my perfect novel as a great volleyball game. Energy and emotions run high, each player (character/story element) contributes something valuable, and everyone works together to accomplish something great.
That’s a lovely way to think about it! Thanks for your visit and comment!
Oh, this is a brilliant way to describe your perfect novel, Marina Sofia! I could feel the trip as you described it. And the ‘photo is great, too. I really like this metaphor!
Have you seen TRAPPED?
Yes, I have, but no skiing there, just trudging through blizzard…
Too bad.
Ooh, I’d like to read that book! Hurry up and write it, would you please?
I will, I will… if you can send a relocation agent to deal with all the moving hassle and admin over the next few months…