A story isn’t a steel railroad track transporting the reader from Chapter One to The End, but an ocean with currents in constant movement below the surface. Readers sail on words that drift according to the force of the currents, not the lapping surface tension.
So do we writers adjust the sails of our ships to write the story of the essential journey lodged in the bowels of our hearts, the one hidden below the waves. The rudder thrusts through the sea of scenes, the keel maintains an upright status of the plot, the sun glints off the crests of conflicts, the words flow over and under the characters. Sometimes the boats capsize and sometimes they save us from the storm.
I am not a sailor but I’ve learned to command the ocean.
Still I know metaphors can only take you so far. There must be a story to the story or you drown in a sea of words.
Just a thought 54
Painting: Through Sea and Air, 1910, by Charles Napier Henry courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Sharon Bonin-Pratt's Ink Flare 
Comments on: "Sailor" (40)
Too true.
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😀
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And even with dazzling prose and an interesting story we can still dislike a book. 😉 It’s amazing how different we all are.
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Absolutely – the story at the heart of any book has to carry its weight for us. For some it does, for others it has no impact.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Shari
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Audrey, thank you as always, for reading.
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I see what you did here, Shari–wound the ocean theme throughout. Clever but nothing I wouldn’t expect from you.
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Clever, but a bit overdone as well. There has to be substance – this small post is overwhelmed by the form. I’m often guilty of excess. Thank you for reading, Jacqui.
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What an analogy! It’s brilliant, Shari.
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Thank you, Glynis.
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Brilliant analogy Sharon. I think a writer needs both. The weight of the keel and the sails to
give movement. Not forgetting the rudder. 💕 .
miriam
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I like your thoughts, Miriam.
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Wise and eloquently poetic, Sharon. Yes.
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Thank you, Bonnie.
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Wow! What a beautiful metaphor for story telling!
At bottom, there must be balance of all the elements or the boat will capsize.
And I loved your closing: “Still I know metaphors can only take you so far. There must be a story to the story or you drown in a sea of words.”
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Thanks, Jenna. Sometimes I nearly tip the boat.
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I enjoyed your metaphor, Sharon. Wonderful! You ARE a poet! 🙂
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This is such high honor coming from you, Betty, whom I consider to be a master poet.
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My turn to feel honored at your kind words, Sharon. (I feel my poetry is just average.) You have the gift of writing colorful, compelling and interesting prose (which I don’t have).
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So sorry to hear this, Betty. My mom died this past March and I also continue to have nightmares and doubts about my mom’s last years of life. But I thank you for your kind thoughts, and I hope you recover soon from your loss.
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Thank you. However, your poetry is not average at all. Your words immerse me in emotion and wonder.
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That makes me very happy to hear, Sharon. Thank you!
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❤ 😀
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Shari, as I love the sea, I enjoyed your analogy of writing and ocean … as we sail and steer our way through it, it’s important not to overwhelm with wordiness… drowning the story and reader!
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Annika, I’m pleased that you understood.
You’re a master at conveying a world in a teacup in your own writing.
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indeed — sounds like audiobook I just finished — stellar performer, poetic writing — but story faltered…
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Interesting – I can’t do audio books – I have weak listening skills and my mind wanders.
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I guess sailing and windsurfing are similar for the metaphor of writing.I would add this thought…as a windsurfer, I spend more time in the water than I should. There is a worship song we sing in church (Oceans Where Feet may Fail) “.. .I will call upon Your name and keep my eyes above the waves, when oceans rise, my soul will rest in your embrace.. . “. I see this as having faith that we will survive, even as writers, when we fall and flail.
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What a beautiful verse, Terri. I’ve never heard it before and am pleased you posted it here. It can apply to many situations I think.
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Love the metaphor. I think I often go to sea and not know how to swim, much less tread water! Bring on the young, muscular coast-guard.
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I’m laughing, Judy – glad you liked this one.
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I love this metaphor, Shari! I’ve always felt drawn to the sea, the dream of discovering what lies beyond the horizon. Reading is exactly that, a journey that can transport us everywhere we please, and writers like you are its Masters and Commanders. 😊
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That’s a very high accolade, Sarah, and I thank you, though I’m not up to such high standards. I also love the sea and all bodies of water, so this was an apt metaphor for me to exploit – or maybe to elaborate.
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Love the metaphor. I think too many writers do see a story as a train ride that needs to fit a chronological path. Not knowing the story should ebb and flow. A little rocking of the tension boat is need in every tale.
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Andrew, I really like your final comment – you’ve identified one of the most important aspects of good literature: a little tension. Maybe even a lot.
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Smiling. It was wonderful catching up with you.
Hope all is well
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I missed you, as I always do when you slip away, and am glad you’re back.
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I am laughing here because I have been doing a lot of slipping away recently. Hey you only live once
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Good grief – guess I have to proof my thoughts – I meant that you’ve been traveling to other locales – like, going on vacation. (Even this comment can be misread if one tries hard enough.) LOL – me too!
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Lol
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