Tom – Page 153

The first good thing about ‘HOW NOT TO WRITE A NOVEL’ is the introduction which gives a real flavour of what is to come. If you can go through the examples that have been superbly produced and not find something similar to your own writing then you are already published and no doubt a great author. To you I send my congratulations. The authors, Sandra Newman and Howard Mittelmark deserve praise for their work on this book.

I found examples that reflected my efforts on at least five occasions. The book is serious in it’s intent but the humour is always there just below the surface, by necessity. For me, this will go on my ‘keep handy’ reference shelf along with my ‘Writers’ and Artists’ YEARBOOK’ and others I hold in high esteem.

Importantly for me the contents list is broken down into easy to navigate sections covering Plot, Character, Style (in detail) and useful pointers on Setting, Research and Theme. I would recommend this book to anyone who is serious about attempting to write a novel.

I will read parts of this book time and again. I know it will prove to be a timeless Aide Memoire.

: Tess realises acceptance here … at Stonehenge

I completed my reading of this tale because I felt the main protagonists were well drawn, but time and again throughout I found myself tangled in the infinitely detailed imagery. Tess, Alec and Angel are interwoven in their activities but intimacy is merely alluded to, on occasion leaving me wondering if I’d misread the narrative. I don’t need to hear the clothing being torn from a body or taste the tears of a downtrodden soul but this felt at times like a first draft of a really good idea.

Harm is occuring to human beings, strong emotions are being experienced, but there is little detail of the acts that cause these things. Rather, Thomas Hardy waxes lyrical about the colour and condition of the countryside, or the state of repair of the road.

A tale which I read in it’s old form but I feel the model has been resurrected and revamped many times since it’s first telling. Today in movie land there are many Tess’s, however they dress, talk or act and their suitors are just as good, foolish or dastardly as the characters portrayed in this story.

On a positive note, when I reached the end of the story I felt more confident in my own writing and storytelling ability. For that Mr. Hardy, I thank you.