"Place not as stage but as theater." That adds an exciting new dimension to the WHERE of story, since the WHEN and the WHAT happen there. In three weeks I'm joining two other writers at an event dubbed "Imagining Oregon," because our novels are all set in the Beaver State. Thanks for this food for thought, Beth, which has me reconsidering the scene-enveloping aspects of my book!
Oh, gosh. Your Oregon is SO rich with writerly love and talent. That will be a fantastic panel. To theater. Do you know how long it took me to come to that epiphany, Nancy? Far, far too long. But there, at last, it is.
Thinking about place as theater links me back to my the first degree in dramatic arts, it's so much more than just stage. And this adds to your earlier teachings on Place that were such an eye-opener for me. Your examples from books are wonderful and help me see possibilities in my own work. Thank you.
It seems to me that "Tomorrow Will Bring Sunday's News" is a wonderful example of the significance of place in the telling of story. And how important the genealogy of the place is.
I write about the family home, the basement to the patio to the living room and all the places I loved. I write about going to the beach with my family when I was growing up. Thank you for your writing about place, that we can bring it forward into the pieces we write and make it come alive on the page. Not just a back drop but as an essential character of our writing. I will be thinking about this beautiful essay and will return to it again and again, reminding about place. Thank you.
Cindy, whenever I sit down to write one of these long essays I wonder — will it be helpful, do I have something new to discover as I work? Your words here are infinitely beautiful. My first two books, and others, were also centered on the home. I have learned, over all these years, how to go deeper.
Love the idea of place as "character more intimately drawn" than human characters. I have a theory that subconsciously most people identify with place more than nations.
Andrea, I second your motion here. I love certain terrains, feel at home near certain seas. I don't think about who they "belong" to. Just about how they make me feel. xo
I am breathless after reading this. Planning my writing day I anticipate clarity and know I will fumble for it. I’m ok with whatever happens. Thank you for writing this as it directs us forward.
"Place not as stage but as theater." That adds an exciting new dimension to the WHERE of story, since the WHEN and the WHAT happen there. In three weeks I'm joining two other writers at an event dubbed "Imagining Oregon," because our novels are all set in the Beaver State. Thanks for this food for thought, Beth, which has me reconsidering the scene-enveloping aspects of my book!
Oh, gosh. Your Oregon is SO rich with writerly love and talent. That will be a fantastic panel. To theater. Do you know how long it took me to come to that epiphany, Nancy? Far, far too long. But there, at last, it is.
The journey from there to here, right? So valuable, so eye-opening, so thrilling. Yay, Beth!
Thinking about place as theater links me back to my the first degree in dramatic arts, it's so much more than just stage. And this adds to your earlier teachings on Place that were such an eye-opener for me. Your examples from books are wonderful and help me see possibilities in my own work. Thank you.
You are too dear. AND you are in a magical place just now. Take it all in. Bring it home to us.
It seems to me that "Tomorrow Will Bring Sunday's News" is a wonderful example of the significance of place in the telling of story. And how important the genealogy of the place is.
I deeply appreciate that, Nancy. Thank you.
“Place not as stage but as theater.” — perfect! Your work is such an excellent example of this idea.
Our Philadelphia, Karen. We live and write it together. xo
I write about the family home, the basement to the patio to the living room and all the places I loved. I write about going to the beach with my family when I was growing up. Thank you for your writing about place, that we can bring it forward into the pieces we write and make it come alive on the page. Not just a back drop but as an essential character of our writing. I will be thinking about this beautiful essay and will return to it again and again, reminding about place. Thank you.
Cindy, whenever I sit down to write one of these long essays I wonder — will it be helpful, do I have something new to discover as I work? Your words here are infinitely beautiful. My first two books, and others, were also centered on the home. I have learned, over all these years, how to go deeper.
Love the idea of place as "character more intimately drawn" than human characters. I have a theory that subconsciously most people identify with place more than nations.
Andrea, I second your motion here. I love certain terrains, feel at home near certain seas. I don't think about who they "belong" to. Just about how they make me feel. xo
thank you for this insightful exploration. Echoes Dorothy Allison's essay, "Place," not just setting description but the emotions come through.
Su, thank you. I will have to look for DA's essay. I once had the extreme pleasure of attending a talk of hers at Penn. What a woman. What a writer.
This essay reminds me of why I love to read—and what I want/try/hope to accomplish in my own writing.
And there you are, within this essay, proof of your own powers of tremendous place making.
Looking forward
Thank you for these insights. I will think more about place from now on.
Hello, you! We have so much to talk about.
Place has always been the heart I want to capture on the page. Thanks for these book guides, Beth.
You are a vivid, beautiful writer, Cathy.
😊
I am breathless after reading this. Planning my writing day I anticipate clarity and know I will fumble for it. I’m ok with whatever happens. Thank you for writing this as it directs us forward.
I am wishing, for you, an exquisite writing day.
Wonderful!! (Beth Castrodale and I share a publisher :))