Anne Lamott’s great wisdom on how to write shares many profound ideas to which all fiction writers can reflect when writing, and all readers to pay close consideration. In her book entitled Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, Lamott introduces ways that will assist any writer whose main focus is to build a strong and effective plot. She gives simple advices such as “...focus on your character.” (Lamott. 55), to something as complex, yet reflective such as “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts.” (Lamott. 25). She provides many ideas that writers often don’t acknowledge. While many stories share similar sorts of idea as her, others authors write from a very different standpoint. In this essay, there will
…show more content…
There will also be observations of whether these two short stories obey, challenge or suggest otherwise the ideas of Anne Lamott with evidence.
Lamott clarifies that a decent climax can be revealed gradually while changing at least one important character. She also explains that this climax is “that major event, usually toward the end, that brings all the tunes you have been playing so far into one major chord, after which at least one of your people is profoundly changed.” (Lamott. 61). One author that, with a slight shift, obeyed Lamott’s suggestion seems to be Raymond Carver. With the short novel “Popular Mechanics”, Carver did not only the build up a climax that qucikly arised, he chose not to give the characters any thought or motivation. The only detailed descrpiton provided proves to be the first paragraph of the setting of …show more content…
Note that throughout the short story, the mentioned characters are undergoing this phase of hate and fear of losing their child to their significant partners. “I want the baby he said. Are you crazy?... You're not touching this baby, she said." (Carver. 124). There doesn’t seem to be any character who undergoes a change due to climax. Carver also ended the story with "In this manner, the issue was decided." (Carver. 125). When analyzing the context, it becomes clear that the huge lack of detail leaves the reader the freedom to develop their own ending and resolution. This includes any changes in characters - or if there should even be any changes in characters. Lastly, this gives the reader the opportunity to edit the setting or plot to a more post-climatic or positive
There will also be observations of whether these two short stories obey, challenge or suggest otherwise the ideas of Anne Lamott with evidence.
Lamott clarifies that a decent climax can be revealed gradually while changing at least one important character. She also explains that this climax is “that major event, usually toward the end, that brings all the tunes you have been playing so far into one major chord, after which at least one of your people is profoundly changed.” (Lamott. 61). One author that, with a slight shift, obeyed Lamott’s suggestion seems to be Raymond Carver. With the short novel “Popular Mechanics”, Carver did not only the build up a climax that qucikly arised, he chose not to give the characters any thought or motivation. The only detailed descrpiton provided proves to be the first paragraph of the setting of …show more content…
Note that throughout the short story, the mentioned characters are undergoing this phase of hate and fear of losing their child to their significant partners. “I want the baby he said. Are you crazy?... You're not touching this baby, she said." (Carver. 124). There doesn’t seem to be any character who undergoes a change due to climax. Carver also ended the story with "In this manner, the issue was decided." (Carver. 125). When analyzing the context, it becomes clear that the huge lack of detail leaves the reader the freedom to develop their own ending and resolution. This includes any changes in characters - or if there should even be any changes in characters. Lastly, this gives the reader the opportunity to edit the setting or plot to a more post-climatic or positive