Evil mastermind or novelist?
by Phoebe on Jun.10, 2015, under books, happiness, media
Forty sheets of paper, four highlighters and one roll of scotch tape = the outline of a shortish, not overly complicated novel. Imagine the organizational mock-up for the more complicated favorites: John Irving. Dickens. It’s a satisfying process to cut apart a first draft and massage it into shape. I’ve sometimes wished away my impulse to impose meaning and order on chaos, to make randomness face front and march. Gardens, children and relationships rebel against too much masterminding; life meanders around the plan and doubles back. But it seems a work of fiction needs (requires?) someone standing in the attic of insanity, rubbing her hands together with glee. 