The Writers’ Nook is a place where we, as a group, can provide a safe and positive environment in which to encourage one another and hone our own writing skills.
The Tools at Your Disposal
Literary Devices For Improving Your Writing
Rhetoric is the art of persuasion which, along with grammar and logic, are considered the three ancient arts of discourse. Combined, this is how people use language and other symbols to express themselves in the narrative arts.
At this meeting we will discuss sixteen literary devices for improving your writing as listed on The Narrative Arc website. In preparation for this meeting, please visit this page on their website and have a copy of it on hand to read through with us as we discuss. You are invited to join us and enjoy!
This meeting was held via zoom at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 16th, 2022 Blind Bay Time (aka Vancouver Time). If you would like to join our group, please contact us. Your first meeting is free.
Your Challenge
Before our next meeting on March 2nd, let’s pay tribute to the fact that we have just come through another Valetine’s Day. While these Cupid Juices are still flowing, I challenge you to write a story or poem to, for, or about a loved one, imaginary or real, using at least one of the Sixteen Tools at Your Disposal as listed in our handout.
Responses
Say It by Karen Lesli (without highlighting here)
The Valentine Rose by Tom Wainwright
Renaldo’s Return by Shirley Bigelow DeKelver, (with Alliteration in the title, and Tricolon in the text)
I’m Sorry by Joyce Adrian Sotski (look through some of your own old writing and see what you find!)
Karen, Say It: You say that you don’t do it on purpose and “It’s just a babble along.” Maybe it’s just your voice, that illusive Your Voice that we all aim to achieve. Maybe you should consider it a talent. To me it seems like you enjoy rhythm, though why would I accuse a poet of that? In addition to alliteration, I also see anaphora and assonance in this piece. What’s interesting is that when I removed all of the highlighting because it was interfering with my concentration, and read it that way, I noticed the alliteration a lot more. Maybe it’s a little much.
With regards to suggestions, perhaps “and repeat his emotions” could be changed to “and reflect his emotions” and “mirrors as big as my dresser’s” feels like it should have something other than a period following the word dresser’s.
All in all, a very enjoyable read.
KAREN- “Say It”: I enjoyed reading your “babble” and did not feel you overused alliteration in your writing. I laughed a few times, albeit the topic was probably not humourous. If you plan on editing it more, make sure not to change the dialogue too much, it keeps the story flowing and connects the reader with the characters.
Well done.
Tom, The Valentine Rose: This Valentine’s story was very touching and my first thought in reading it was, is there truth in his story, or is it imaginary? I’m happy that you chose to tell us. Well done! But I could see right up front that it was written from a gentle heart and it felt real. It was beautiful!
And ‘yes’ you included some of the “Tools” from out last handout? I can see Anaphora, or is that Isocolon, or both, in the use of your words, “I remember.” And I think you may have used Merism in, “this Valentine rose” and “lay it on top of your stone.” Well done! And good for you in going back to our previous meeting, which you didn’t even attend, to meet the Challenge.
Shirley, Renaldo’s Return: This valentine’s story talks about physical attraction, sexual attraction, love, caring, longing, and so much more. I love all of that in a story! And you’re right, you’ve used both Alliteration and Tricolon. I had to go back to last week’s handout to remember what Tricolon meant but that’s good practice for me.
The other thing I had to do was go back to check on verb tenses and I think this would be a good story for all of us to go back to, once we’ve all finished our verb tenses chart. If you agree, could pull it apart to see whether all of the tenses are used correctly. I started to think about it because the word ‘had’ was used so often in the story. It felt like too often, so I checked to see the difference between Simple Past, Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous and that’s when the lines started to blur for me. This is an exercise that I think we should work on together. Is anybody else having this problem?
Joyce, “tear it apart” at your heart’s content, no problem.
Shirley, Regarding Ranaldo’s Return. Looks like the beginnings of an interesting tale. I loved your descriptive presentation of Juanita’s surroundings and of how she felt.There were two things however, that made me stop and re-read. 1st was the repetitive use of ‘she’ in the second paragraph. Perhaps by combining sentences here you could lend a smoother flow to the story.
2nd was at the end where Juanita finished work and sat to eat, after whch she sat on the door stoop, Renaldo arrived, and they both were glad to see each other. I was stuck trying to figure out were this took place. Was it at the old trailer? Was it at the new shack she rented? Was it at the Cantina? Nicely done.
Tom: Very moving poem, and excellent inclusion of the “Tools”.
Joyce: I love your submission, at times I thought it was about me. Writing our thoughts down on paper can be very therapeutic, and it takes courage to share them with others. Well done.
Tom, “The Valentine Rose” is a lovely, emotional piece. I enjoyed the repeated use of “I remember…” as your writing took me on a wondrous emotional journey. You’re very talented and I hope to see you in the group!
Joyce.With regard to ‘I’m Sorry’. Wow – And who of us has not felt this way from time to time. I liked the repititive use of the words – ‘To my’ (mind, body, etc.). It lent a really nice connection to the theme. I especially likes the last sentiment ….. don’t worry. I didn’t really mean everything I said. I am still chuckling!