Many of my writer friends have been getting very exercised this week about the suggestion that US novels are to be removed from English Literature GCSE syllabus. My Facebook account has caught fire with their indignation. Their excitation arises mainly from articles written by John Sutherland in the Guardian. For reference, look at http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/may/26/10-american-writers-english-children-study-gcse-michael-Gove thoughContinue reading “My Fury About English Literature GCSEs”
Category Archives: Novels
The Suspension of Disbelief
Given all the stuff I’ve written in previous blogs about how language and narrative works, here is an interesting question: how does the author use the text to convince us to suspend our disbelief? After all, one of the most important things about any story is that we should believe that it is true, atContinue reading “The Suspension of Disbelief”
The Problem With The Synopsis
Ever had that feeling that you know too much about the book you’ve written to condense it down to a page and a half for an agent or publisher’s edification? Yeah, me too. I mean, what is it with these guys? They’re supposed to be in the business. Do they really read that slowly? DoContinue reading “The Problem With The Synopsis”
Thinking About The Identity Plot
On a long journey yesterday, I finished listening to Amy Hungerford’s Lectures on the American Novel Since 1945, which – by the way – I thoroughly recommend to any one interested in modern literature. Central to her argument is that old patterns in literary novels, such as the ‘Marriage Plot’ of Victorian novels, have more recentlyContinue reading “Thinking About The Identity Plot”
What to Write Next – the Author’s dilemma
So here I am, sitting at a desk, wondering in which direction I should let my mind wander. Here’s my problem: I recently finished a first draft; it’s out there sloshing from slush pile to slush pile, no doubt so wet by now that the ink has smudged and it’s hard to read the words.Continue reading “What to Write Next – the Author’s dilemma”
