I have a list on my whiteboard, left over from the days I decided to stop writing and just let the air in. It is a list of things that remind me of the mood I'm trying to evoke in my novel. Here it is:
sailor tattoos
circus freaks
Nick Cave ballads
Be Good Tanyas
Johnny Cash
Long Black Veil
Gothic novels
cabinets of curiosities
taxidermy
memento mori
remembrance
Renee-Louise Carafice (added August 7)
Out of these things a novel has risen. I recommend the exercise. If anyone else cares to share a similar list, please do.
About Me
- Rachael King
- The Sound of Butterflies was the title of my first novel, published in the UK by Picador, in the US by William Morrow and in New Zealand by Random House, and translated into eight foreign languages. In 2009 my next novel, Magpie Hall, was published in New Zealand by Random House, and in 2012 my first novel for children, Red Rocks. This blog is my thoughts on the world of writing and books. Photo by Sharon Blance.
Magpie Hall out now. Click image to buy.
US paperback out now. Click image to buy!
Red Rocks out now. Click image to buy.
New novel.
What I'm reading.
Books and Writing Blogs
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Waikato Times letter of the week #924 years ago
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The Divine Muses5 years ago
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Bye bye blog5 years ago
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AND THE DEAD SHALL RISE ...6 years ago
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War & Peace: beginning6 years ago
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Tuesday Poem: Missing Hat10 years ago
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The workspace hijack11 years ago
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Pssst...12 years ago
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Love drives.12 years ago
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I've moved! Blogs, that is.13 years ago
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welcome, non-robots!17 years ago
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Other blogs I like
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Hey...I'm pregnant!9 years ago
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Rustic Burgers Seymour12 years ago
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Comments
14 comments:
Your list makes me think "I HAVE to read this book" I list of things I love and intrigue me
You should read The Totem Hole Rachael ... apparently it's as gothic as and i thought it was just authentic ...
I plan to Paul! Although when I write "Gothic novels" I mean more in the traditional sense, that is, 18th & 19th century Gothic. But I'm still going to read yours (I've heard it is also hilarious).
That is a sexy list Rachael, already has me intrigued.
Here is my list of the novel nearing its end:
Tattoo
Albinos
Mesmerism
Harps
Memory
Belonging
Judaism
The Old Testament
hair
Old Theatres
scribes
Wedding dresses
Birds, Birds, Birds
Eggs
let that air roll in...
I like your list, Rachael. I have a white board too. And pinned to it is a piece of tracing paper with my list scrawled on it. It's much longer than yours, so here's a cut down version:
Mist
Glowing fires, embers, jewels
Veils, curtains, laces, muslin, powder
Theatre, scrim, curtain, make-up, grease-paint
chemical reactions
bruises
money
layers, patinae
mirrors, dazzling reflections
steam
clouds
cross-dressing
chalk on black board
slate - stylus
red silk
wigs
hair dye
fountains
I call this my 'visual structure'
What a great idea. I do have lists, but they're all very practical and functional, not this kind of thing freewheeling free associating thing. It would also be a way to use up some new-novel energy, because I can't start it properly yet, but it's being ever so insistent.
And yes, it does sound like a cool book.
Love all the other lists so far - all sound like books I want to read. And Emma - I think it would be a great way to keep the new novel alive while it swirls around in your head. If you manage to make one and feel like sharing, please do!
I should add that the list in my head has grown - the 'visual structure' if you will - but this list was what I began with when I was trying to imagine what kind of story I wanted to tell.
I love lists. I don't have a white board but I do have a blackboard and a bowl of chalk. And I am working on a novel. The words on the blackboard for the novel are:
tentacles as long as a bus
dark black ice
salt in cardboard tubes
roasting tin of ice
a caravan sinking into the ground
this kissing was one more way of hurting her
a squid in a refrigerated lorry
green screen of old mobile phones
peach couch with flounces
a car that smells like chips
I am glad I found your blog.
Nick Cave, yay! I hope that includes Into My Arms & the Brompton Oratory & The Ship Song (great soppy sack that I am).
I love this exercise. It's new to me. Thanks.
Jenn - I'm gald you found it too! Welcome. That is some kooky list. i love it.
Susan - oh yes it sure does. Love ballads and murder ballads, and maybe the two mixed together.
I like Roger's naming it 'visual structure.'
I haven't written lists like this to remind of the mood in the past, but will now - its a great idea. I'll have to have a wine, and a think and write a list for the current novel.
I have used mind maps to work on plot and sub-plot and how character's lives and actions intersect. They're really useful.
Hi Rachel
Great idea! I've copied it over at my blog: http://ianhocking.com
Best of luck with your book.
Cheers
Ian
Hi Rachael, you've inspired/provoked me to write a list too. I am on the cusp of returning to Precarious when I have finished marking for the creative writing course and am over the pre-Montana publicity circuit and fixed a few things around here and... No, I really will. And the list has helped. It's only a preliminary list you understand but nevertheless it's a start. A useful one. And your generous tip has helped. Thank you.
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