Duality was the theme of the writing programme, and I found it a really tough one at first. But it was a pretty loose theme, so I'm not surprised it was hard to spot in the script you read.
Within the play, I tried to create duality in a few ways:
1 - There's duality in Joy's decision for the bench inscription. She has two ideas, but can't choose between them.
2 - There's duality between Joy and Clive's faith / perspective on death. Joy believes her daughter is still there with her in spirit, and believes therefore the inscription is important, but Clive believes River's gone and so the inscription will make no difference.
3 - There's duality in Joy's critical choice within the climax of the story - does she read the diary and hope to get the answers she's looking for (immoral perhaps, but her best chance at the getting outcome she wants), or does she leave the diary alone and choose the inscription herself (morally right, but likely to produce an outcome she's unhappy with)?
4 - There's duality in the make-up of the play itself - two very different, opposing characters, two scenes both with the same structure, etc.
I think there may have been more. I'll let you know as I'm re-writing it.
Have you ever written anything on the theme of duality?
Having written the play, I actually feel like it's an almost-perfect theme, as it can apply to (and is usually present in) almost every part of life. I was actually considering keeping that theme for all the stories I write this year.
The only aspect where I felt it was a bit risky was in the protagonist's critical choice at the end of the play. They say it's better to avoid choices with only two options in this part of stories, as that makes it less suspenseful for the reader. The more options/directions a character has to choose from in the climax, the more interesting for the reader...
Wow, there is so much duality! I find the most interesting one about Joy and Clive having two different views of where River is now. I think this makes for really fertile interiority in a short story. These two world views create lots of tension after the death of a child (so horrible, oh my gosh).
A whole book of short stories centered around a theme of duality would be a very cool project or even just a year long journey of writing around this idea. I find rules or confinements helpful in writing (and drawing).
I have never written about duality. I think I do think about it a bit though. Two things being true at the same time--or two things pulling at you. It seems there may be some duality in art making and then regular life.
I wanted to ask--have you written a post about reading? Or do you ever feel about writing about that? I'm giving myself the challenge of trying to read one novel a week. I'm curious about your reading habits and if you find reading to be like writing? Anyway, if you ever need a subject to write about, I would love to hear about your reading habits (or maybe send me the link if you've written about this already).
I'm really enjoying these posts. (I just bought an alarm clock and have a water set up for tomorrow morning!). thanks for this substack-alexis.
I’ve never been interviewed or interviewed a writer before. It’s so interesting to hear your behind the scenes look at this form of engagement.
I’m also interested in duality as I think about this a bit being both a mother and a writer. What does duality mean to you for your character Joy?
I’m lucky enough to have read your play, but when I read it, I wasn’t thinking of duality. Is that the prompt that OSO gave you?
I look forward to your year of short stories and reading « River « as a short story.
Bravo for taking on this challenge !
Thanks, Alexis! Great questions.
Duality was the theme of the writing programme, and I found it a really tough one at first. But it was a pretty loose theme, so I'm not surprised it was hard to spot in the script you read.
Within the play, I tried to create duality in a few ways:
1 - There's duality in Joy's decision for the bench inscription. She has two ideas, but can't choose between them.
2 - There's duality between Joy and Clive's faith / perspective on death. Joy believes her daughter is still there with her in spirit, and believes therefore the inscription is important, but Clive believes River's gone and so the inscription will make no difference.
3 - There's duality in Joy's critical choice within the climax of the story - does she read the diary and hope to get the answers she's looking for (immoral perhaps, but her best chance at the getting outcome she wants), or does she leave the diary alone and choose the inscription herself (morally right, but likely to produce an outcome she's unhappy with)?
4 - There's duality in the make-up of the play itself - two very different, opposing characters, two scenes both with the same structure, etc.
I think there may have been more. I'll let you know as I'm re-writing it.
Have you ever written anything on the theme of duality?
Having written the play, I actually feel like it's an almost-perfect theme, as it can apply to (and is usually present in) almost every part of life. I was actually considering keeping that theme for all the stories I write this year.
The only aspect where I felt it was a bit risky was in the protagonist's critical choice at the end of the play. They say it's better to avoid choices with only two options in this part of stories, as that makes it less suspenseful for the reader. The more options/directions a character has to choose from in the climax, the more interesting for the reader...
Perhaps we can chat more about it soon!
Wow, there is so much duality! I find the most interesting one about Joy and Clive having two different views of where River is now. I think this makes for really fertile interiority in a short story. These two world views create lots of tension after the death of a child (so horrible, oh my gosh).
A whole book of short stories centered around a theme of duality would be a very cool project or even just a year long journey of writing around this idea. I find rules or confinements helpful in writing (and drawing).
I have never written about duality. I think I do think about it a bit though. Two things being true at the same time--or two things pulling at you. It seems there may be some duality in art making and then regular life.
I wanted to ask--have you written a post about reading? Or do you ever feel about writing about that? I'm giving myself the challenge of trying to read one novel a week. I'm curious about your reading habits and if you find reading to be like writing? Anyway, if you ever need a subject to write about, I would love to hear about your reading habits (or maybe send me the link if you've written about this already).
I'm really enjoying these posts. (I just bought an alarm clock and have a water set up for tomorrow morning!). thanks for this substack-alexis.