What first drew me to your Substack was the title Place Writing. Oddly bc I was already doing it! I'd started writing fiction about 5 yrs ago and set the location in the Yucatán, and it was easy to embellish on the geography, foliage, weather, culture. I've received good comments and one review that said the environment was almost like another character. So yes, you are right! One doesn't need to find a photo and delve into it, if they already know their landscape. Imho.
Thank you Jeanine, the idea that place can become so well rounded in fiction that it's as influential as any character is definitely valid. I'm dabbling with fiction myself at the moment and really having to get my story and the characters (people) clear in my head before I can develop the place writing. I think that it will come as a layer beneath the story, a support act so to speak, and it will be great fun to write it.
Thanks for this, Yasmin. Reading your piece I was reminded of what Hilary Mantel said in a Guardian piece re advice for writers. I think that there’s a fine line, isn’t there? The craft of writing, isn’t it a wonderful thing.
“When your character is new to a place, or things alter around them, that's the point to step back and fill in the details of their world. People don't notice their everyday surroundings and daily routine, so when writers describe them it can sound as if they're trying too hard to instruct the reader.” Hilary Mantel
I guess it depends on what your ultimate aim is with the piece of writing. Certainly if you're writing fiction and dwell too much on the surroundings the reader may become bored. I actually experienced this in a book I'm reading at the moment. The author took time to explain the area, a busy container port, and I felt the description was too detailed. I was frustrated. Wanted to get back to the action. That fine line is there for sure.
Are you polyamorous? I’ve fallen in love with your Polly. I’d love a polythene tunnel like yours . I’d have lemons for my gin, an Indian rug, a hot tub and chickens.
What first drew me to your Substack was the title Place Writing. Oddly bc I was already doing it! I'd started writing fiction about 5 yrs ago and set the location in the Yucatán, and it was easy to embellish on the geography, foliage, weather, culture. I've received good comments and one review that said the environment was almost like another character. So yes, you are right! One doesn't need to find a photo and delve into it, if they already know their landscape. Imho.
Thank you Jeanine, the idea that place can become so well rounded in fiction that it's as influential as any character is definitely valid. I'm dabbling with fiction myself at the moment and really having to get my story and the characters (people) clear in my head before I can develop the place writing. I think that it will come as a layer beneath the story, a support act so to speak, and it will be great fun to write it.
Thanks for this, Yasmin. Reading your piece I was reminded of what Hilary Mantel said in a Guardian piece re advice for writers. I think that there’s a fine line, isn’t there? The craft of writing, isn’t it a wonderful thing.
“When your character is new to a place, or things alter around them, that's the point to step back and fill in the details of their world. People don't notice their everyday surroundings and daily routine, so when writers describe them it can sound as if they're trying too hard to instruct the reader.” Hilary Mantel
I guess it depends on what your ultimate aim is with the piece of writing. Certainly if you're writing fiction and dwell too much on the surroundings the reader may become bored. I actually experienced this in a book I'm reading at the moment. The author took time to explain the area, a busy container port, and I felt the description was too detailed. I was frustrated. Wanted to get back to the action. That fine line is there for sure.
I've been writing about one place a decade and every week I learn something new and report on my research!
This is what makes Place Writing such a brilliant field of study, it gives and gives. I enjoy reading your posts, Jill.
Are you polyamorous? I’ve fallen in love with your Polly. I’d love a polythene tunnel like yours . I’d have lemons for my gin, an Indian rug, a hot tub and chickens.
Polly will become more demanding as we go through the year, but I'm sure I'll love every minute, Alastair.
My camping chair will have a designated spot, I'd not thought of other luxuries. But a lemon might find its way into my heart. 🍋
Write about a place. I've just done exactly that, though I was working to a completely different prompt.
https://mirandarwaterton.substack.com/p/what-is-poetry
Thank you for sharing that Miranda. I don't write poetry myself so I'm in awe of those who do.