2011-08-18

Exploring Metafiction

As an aspiring author, finding your own voice can be a tricky challenge (as is avoiding awkward alliteration). Distinguishing yourself as a modern writer is a minefield of clichés which affect us on both a conscious and subconscious level and discovering a unique perspective can be increasingly hard (on account of humans constantly saying and doing things). However, if you want to make a difference the creative stimulation is the key. The analysis of language can be a fascinating area and reading some of the post modern novels on the subject can be an interesting method of creative stimulation, we fall into certain approaches to words and sentence structure and without analysis and deconstruction of your work can become stagnant and generic, so reading can be an excellent way to explore a new viewpoint and refresh your writing.

I would suggest reading a book or two by Christine Brooke-Rose whose love of post modern writing, metafiction and wordplay is delightfully clear in titles like Amalgamemnon (1984) and Verbivore (1990). I much prefer these playful and interesting titles over the vague and generic titles which fill so many bookshelves, a vague title completely misses the point of its function like building a house but not bothering with roofing. In fact it is Christine’s seminal post modern work Xorandor (1986) which gives us the lovely word xorandoric which describes post modern literature informed by the genre. So next time you feel uninspired why don’t you reach for an author who reexamines fiction itself and before you know it you will be writing xorandorically.

Similar Posts:
Connected Youth : There was a time when the older generation...
The Beginner's Basics To Skiing : If you are new to skiing the...
The Hidden Human Nature :  We all have bizarre and disturbing...
Busy Moms Need to Accessorize : Moms are busy and are on their...