Tendril stirs

[vaneramos]

A sailboat hull across the street from my apartment


My breathless exploration of science fiction has almost come to a close, for now. Happily, the Philip Dick novel isn't taking long to read. I'm growing impatient with the inconsistencies and superficiality that fill the pulp of this genre.

Tendril rolled over in her sleep yesterday, stirring bubbles of consciousness to the surface. A writer must live and breathe a character for some time to bring her to life. I've been mulling, struggling over architecture of the plot, fretting about my lack of knowledge, when what I really need is to listen to my own inner story.

The writing style that moves me most is poetic. Writers like Michael Ondaatje, Anne Michaels and Dionne Brand impress sensual sceneries of words into memory. My favourite science fiction writer, Ursula LeGuin, does the same.

When I summon the courage to unbutton my own inhibitions and trust my voice, filled with imagery, I unleash something sudden as a dark horse, vast as a nebula. It emerges from years of despair and loneliness, frightens me. After such a long voyage, I've reached this tiny peaceful planet, only to discover my passion is rooted in the turbulent space left behind. The journey is not over.

Comments

[writer00.livejournal.com]

Which PKD novel are you reading?

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

[dakoopst.livejournal.com]

After such a long voyage, I've reached this tiny peaceful planet, only to discover my passion is rooted in the turbulent space left behind.

I feel this is the case for us all...after all, it is conflict and discomfort which drives our growth. The process of being alive is the successive mounting and defeating of various obstacles...and when the obstacles are gone, so are we.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

It not only drives our growth, but angst seems to underlie so much artistic expression. Can you imagine a novel without some kind of trouble? Tension is what makes a story compelling.

[avad.livejournal.com]

wild image- I just couldn't tell what I was looking at...an island...the mirror-surface of some puddle/pond/crater torn in the surface of the earth.......!

Tendrilllllllllllllll......awAken!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I considered leaving the caption off and seeing if anyone could guess what it was. I like the idea of scuffs and scrapes from a voyage on the water.

Tendril's journey is taking shape in my head. Soon it will begin.