composeconceivecreate

Just another WordPress.com site

  • About Laura Kostur

We Are All Star Bellied Sneetches

Posted by kosturcompose76 on November 16, 2012
Posted in: Writing Exercises.

Last weekend I watched Cloud Atlas. It was one of the most impressive movies I have ever seen.  But it wasn’t the stunning scenes or special effects that amazed me (although they are deserving of an Oscar).  Nor was it the varied and brilliant performances of the actors (also Oscar worthy.)  No, what impressed me the most was that this challenging story got made into a film at all.  I won’t summarize it, my skill is simply insufficient, but thinking about the story I keep asking myself, “How does one pitch such a complex idea?”  (I still haven’t figured it out.  I bet Tom Hanks just read the book and loved it.)

Recently most of the movies I’ve seen seem to send me the message “Just sit there and be entertained.” Cloud Atlas shouts “Don’t just sit there, follow me!” It challenges the viewer to follow characters into their world.  It challenges us to listen and invest.  Cloud Atlas delivers messages on race, gender and shared reality with such depth and using such great imagery that I will be talking about it for years.  It makes me really think about divisions between people and cultures.  It opened a mind that I thought was already pretty open.

I want to take a film appreciation course on this movie just to hear how it effected others and the things that I missed while I was busy investing in the story.  I anticipate many enjoyable hours re-watching and thinking about the movie, seeking out images and themes.  I totally can’t wait for the DVD release.

NB.  This review is a total spoiler for the movie, but I enjoyed watching it after watching the move.  If you’re tempted to watch it early, don’t do it!

Writing Exercise:

Symbols used correctly can guide a reader consciously and unconsciously. They connect people events and ideas in your world. In my novel I use pools of liquid, connected to threat and risk, to keep the reader reminded of threat. They also help the reader look back, at a very critical point in the novel, and recall other moments of threat and loss.  I also use buttons in a similar way, to get the readers thinking about connections between people.

Think of a piece you are writing and identify the theme.  Then try to think of a ‘thing’ that could represent that theme.  You may want to try a mindmap to get you started.  Once you have your physical item, brainstorm ways you could incorporate that into a scene where you want to reinforce your theme.  Spend ten minutes brainstorming, then another ten minutes finding places to incorporate the image into your work.  You may even find examples already in your text.  Happy writing.

NB Button Example – Buttons = connections between people.  A button undone on a shirt or fly.  Putting on a necklace with a loop and button clasp. Seeing a sewing box. Dressing.  A child playing with a button on a string. A stretched shirt revealing bosom.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Posts navigation

← I Smell Like Cabbage
I’m Imitating Life – In the hope of art. →
  • Recent Posts

    • I may be a criminal at heart
    • Fire and Ice
    • Miette Resort = Kellerman’s – Dancing
    • Roadtrip!
    • Seeking a Use for My New Special Skill
  • Archives

    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • May 2017
    • November 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • January 2016
    • July 2015
    • May 2015
    • March 2015
    • January 2015
    • December 2014
    • November 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • March 2013
    • February 2013
    • January 2013
    • December 2012
    • November 2012
    • October 2012
    • September 2012
    • August 2012
    • July 2012
    • June 2012
    • May 2012
    • April 2012
    • March 2012
    • February 2012
    • January 2012
  • Latest Tweets

    • My husband the speaker and the light of my life. #proud twitter.com/AndreKostur/st…Tweeted 1 month ago
    • “You need to play hard to get lucky… luck is a big part of the publishing industry. But, none of that will matter i… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Tweeted 3 months ago
    • RT @YouTravel: #Writers brainstorming @SiWCtweets this weekend at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford #SiWC2022 #SiWC22 https://t.co/c1265dfmSBTweeted 3 months ago
    • “Success is contagious; like Covid.” - @DarrenGroth #siwc22Tweeted 3 months ago
    • “Today you are one day closer to your next inevitable success.” - @DarrenGroth #SiWC22Tweeted 3 months ago
    Follow @LauraKostur
  • Blogroll

    • The Bloggess
    • Pioneer Woman
    • Women at War – Veterans Affairs Canada
    • Surrey International Writers' Conference
    • Academie Duello
    • Home – ComposeConceiveCreate
  • Blog Post Categories

Blog at WordPress.com.
  • Follow Following
    • composeconceivecreate
    • Join 28 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • composeconceivecreate
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Copy shortlink
    • Report this content
    • View post in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: