Ask Yourself, "How is This Being Achieved?"

When I teach literature I always tell them, these would-be writers (we don’t do workshops, we just read great books), I say, “When you read Pride and Prejudice, don’t if you’re a girl identify with Elizabeth Bennet, if you’re a boy with Darcy. Identify with the author, not with the characters.” All good readers do that automatically, but I think it’s helpful to make that clear. Your affinity is not with the characters, always with the writer. 

You should always be asking yourself, if you want to become an expert reader or perhaps a writer, you should always say, “How is this being achieved?” “How is this scene being managed?” “How is this being brought off?” Because the characters are artifacts. They’re not real people with real destinies and I know that feeling, when you’re reading Pride and Prejudice even for the fourth time, you feel definite anxiety about whether they’re going to get married, even though you know perfectly well that they do. There’s a slight sort of, “Come on, kiss her!”

MARTIN AMIS

Comments

[Arun]

Amazing! well said.

I always have this habit of thinking from the writer's point of view.

I analyze each and every point/idea/subject and understand how the writer would have imagined.

It is truly motivating me to read this write up as it assures me that i am on right track.

Thanks a lot.

[John Condliffe]

Do not agree entirely. A good book/read will draw you in so that the characters are real to you. That is the art of the writer it overcomes every thing else. AA readers imagination is let loose.
Thanks for a good article.

[Arun]

I agree with John Condliffe. But don't agree completely. Why?

As a reader, whenever i read a book i completely evolve with the characters and ideas.

But when i wear the writers hat, i check and question myself how the idea would have originated.

Well, i think only writers can master these two arts. An ability to think from the reader's and writer's point of view.

I welcome your comments

Regards,
Arun S