Reading
A Book for Writers: “Aspects of the Novel,” by E. M. Forster
Review by Lisa Silverman
I’m about to tell you to read the most useful book of essays I’ve ever read about fiction–a book that dates from 1927 and refers to works by such authors as Dostoyevsky, Melville, Thomas Hardy, and D. H. Lawrence. The good news: even if you haven’t read a single work by those authors, you’ll still find “Aspects of the Novel” engrossing, relevant, and helpful in your own work. I promise–whether you’re writing commercial sci-fi mysteries or literary character studies.
E. M. Forster, novelist and frequent beneficiary (or victim, depending on your point of view) of Merchant-Ivory film adaptations, gave a series of lectures at Cambridge in 1927, which were then published as “Aspects of the Novel.” The book’s chapters are titled “The Story,” “People,” “The Plot,” “Fantasy,” “Prophecy,” and “Pattern and Rhythm.” That’s it. These are Forster’s topics, and he covers them in few words–the book totals only about 175 pages.
Can Forster, a novelist from another era, say anything you haven’t heard before, especially when he covers a subject as complex as story in a mere seventeen pages? I defy you to find a more concise explanation of the difference between story and plot than this:
“’The king died and then the queen died’” is a story. ‘The king died, and then the queen died of grief’ is a plot.”
Of course, Forster elaborates on his point, but that’s not a bad start, is it? Even if your fiction is loaded with story, it may be in need of plot, as Forster defines it. A lot of the unpublished fiction I read is loaded with story but in need of plot–even if that’s the case in only one scene or in only one paragraph. This book will help you understand how to change that. (Hint: it has a lot to do with the word why.)
You may look at the list of chapters and think, What the $%*# is prophecy? Two pages in, you’ll begin to understand. I can’t quite do it justice here, but it’s a quality Forster sees in the truly great novelists, and not in the truly good ones. It’s about creating characters who are both real and part of something greater than themselves. Our author makes no secret of his opinions on who fits into which category, but I’ll let you find those opinions out for yourself. Whether your favorites are his favorites isn’t the point, anyway. The point is that his insights can help you bring your own writing closer to that transcendent level.
Forster uses examples from wide-ranging works to make his points, from “War and Peace” and “Wuthering Heights” to–well, to some obscure novels from his own period that none of us have heard of or will hear of again. But it doesn’t matter: he provides the perfect examples from each book to bolster his arguments and explain his points. And he might just inspire you to go out and peruse a few classics: after finishing “Aspects of the Novel,” I finally decided to read “War and Peace” (let’s just say he likes that one).
He begins the book by emphatically refusing to discuss fiction in chronological order, or within the context of “influences and schools,” stuff he considers “pseudo-scholarship.” Instead, he presents the following image:
“Time, all the way through, is to be our enemy. We are to visualize the . . . novelists not as floating down that stream which bears all its sons away unless they are careful, but as seated together in a room, a circular room . . . all writing their novels simultaneously.”
Who wouldn’t want to be a fly on the wall and hear the conversation in that room? And he further draws us into that room by providing a series of couplets: pairs of excerpts from (at first) unidentified novels, which he compares and then contrasts, perfectly illuminating the subtle but profound ways two writers can be both the same and different.
Forster begins with the most basic and necessary element, story, gradually takes us to the more esoteric and subjective topics of the fantastical and the prophetic in fiction, and rounds out his discussion back at the fundamentals: pattern and rhythm. His thoughts on each are opinionated, witty, and still very much relevant almost a century later. Which may help explain why Forster’s own novels are still so popular and relevant a century after their own publication.
About The Author: Lisa Silverman is a freelance book editor and works in the copyediting department at one of New York’s most prestigious literary publishing houses. She has also worked as a ghostwriter and a literary agent representing both book authors and screenwriters. She founded http://www.BeYourOwnEditor.com in order to provide writers with free advice on both writing and the publishing business.
The $79 Kindle
Review by John Lambert
Previously, I owned the second generation Kindle device until I dropped it one time too many. This was during a time period where the replacing the device would have cost close to three hundred dollars.
However, the first generation iPad had been released. I figured instead of dropping that much money on a new Kindle, I would apply it instead to the iPad. I started using the Kindle Application on the iPad to read my already purchased books and continued to buy ebooks from Amazon.
However, I still prefer reading on the Kindle’s E-Ink display over the iPad or even the iPhone. I decided that if the Kindle would ever drop to around the $99 price point then I would purchase one.
Earlier this week, Amazon announced new Kindle devices for their line, the cheapest being $79.
I purchased this $79 Kindle device and have already received it. I have toyed with it over the last few days and here are my thoughts:
The size (6.5″ x 4.5″ x 0.34″) and weight (5.98 ounces) really caught my attention when I pulled it out of the box. It fits easily in one hand and is light enough that your hand doesn’t get tired. I also purchased the $29 case and together both fit in the back pocket of my jeans. (I had to laugh about the price of the case compared to the device.)
I was already familiar with the Kindle’s E-Ink display from previously owning one. Since then, I still prefer reading off the Kindle devices over the iPad. I really do “feel” that I am reading from paper than from a computer screen. Also, you don’t have the sun glare issue if you want to read outside like you would with an iPad.
However, this device is a wi-fi only unit. This isn’t an issue for me since I own a wi-fi network and most of the places I like to read have free wi-fi. Also, I currently have ten books on the device to read. However if you feel you need to have 3G access, Amazon does provide devices with that feature: the Kindle Touch 3G ($149) and the Kindle Keyboard 3G ($139). The 3G access is free on those devices.
According to Amazon, the battery life is a month. Obviously, I have not owned it long enough to push this. However after a few days of constant use, I have seen no evidence of losing battery life. There should be no fear of this Kindle losing battery power while traveling.
The biggest drawback for me is the keyboard. This device has a screen display keyboard and you have to use the 5-Way Controller to scroll the cursor unto the button that needs to be pressed. This can be a bit cumbersome while inputting a wi-fi network password, making a note or searching the built in Kindle Store.
Because of this, I would suggest using the Amazon website for ordering ebooks or managing your Kindle over this keyboard display. However, other Kindle devices have either a touch screen keyboard or a physical keyboard depending on your taste. (The wi-fi only Kindle Touch and Kindle Keyboard is just twenty dollars more at $99.)
This Kindle device is one of the “Special Offers” line. This means that Amazon will be placing advertising on the device and selling you this unit at a cheaper price point. This doesn’t detract from the reading experience. You will only notice the “Special Offers” as the screen saver or an advertising banner at the bottom of one of the menus. Once you select a book to read, you will see no advertising. However if you want to avoid the advertising, you can buy it without the “Special Offers” for thirty dollars more at $109. Also, all the Kindle E-Ink devices do have some form of “Special Offers” discount. For me, this isn’t an issue. Might as well keep the thirty bucks. (Use it to buy the case, lol)
It should also noted that this device only comes with a USB cable for the computer. This means you will have to have a computer to charge up the Kindle unless you purchase wall plug adapter for $9.99. Again for me, I have so many Apple devices around, I have a USB to wall adapter already. Again, I assume this is a way of keeping the price point down. From what I understand, the other Kindles do have the adapter. (Note- Apple doesn’t always give a wall adapter on some of their devices either.)
As with so many electronic devices, it comes down to whether the device is a “good fit” for you. Since I’m an iPad owner, I don’t need a device with all the bells and whistles of the Kindle Fire unit. Or even the other E-Ink display units that Amazon is selling.
I wanted a simple, portable dedicated ebook reader with the E-Ink technology. The Kindle device I purchased is perfect for my needs. However, I do think it is a device that requires the user to be somewhat tech savvy. If not, I would suggest one of the higher dollar units.
One last point, both the iPad and my new Kindle device together still take up less space and weigh a lot less than my laptop. Some iPad cases might actually allow you to carry both together. Much easier while traveling than carrying a laptop.
About the Author: John Lambert is a writer, podcaster, and facilitator of the Quillians Writing Workshop. He also keeps his own website at The Writer’s Quill.
The Writer’s Bookshelf
Almost every writer has that shelf or pile of writing reference books—the ones they won’t part with, hate to loan out, and go back to time and again. They’ll be different for every writer, but we thought you might want to know our take on a few essentials. If these books are not on your shelf, you might want to give them a try:
Elements of Fiction Writing – Scene & Structure
A Passion for Narrative: A Guide to Writing Fiction – Revised Edition
Elements of Fiction Writing – Characters & Viewpoint
Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print
Creating Short Fiction: The Classic Guide to Writing Short Fiction, by Damon Knight (St. Martin’s Press, New York, New York ISBN 0-312-15094-6)
Beginnings, Middles and Ends (Elements of Fiction Writing), by Nancy Kress (Writer’s Digest Books, Cincinnati, Ohio ISBN 0-89879-550-8)
The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life
Word Work: Surviving and Thriving As a Writer
Got a great writing book recommendation you’d like to share? Leave it in the comments!
Photo credit: jdurham
