Hey Everyone!
If I thought-up writers who were among my greatest literary influences, various figures would spring-to-mind for distinct reasons. Oscar Wilde—author of both my favorite novel The Picture of Dorian Gray and stage play The Importance of Being Earnest—would emerge because of his conscience themes, unforgettable characters, and inventive comedic prose. Jane Austen—author of much-loved Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park—would materialize owing to her charming casts, vibrant descriptions, and honest depictions of family. What’s more, given his faith-based premises, suspenseful plots, and spirited battles between good and evil, contemporary writer Ted Dekker (Showdown and The Circle Trilogy) would turn up, as well.
But at least as influential as the aforementioned, poet and creative writing author Rebecca McClanahan has made her mark on me, in particular, ever since I’d read Word Painting: A Guide to Writing More Descriptively. In this book, McClanahan helped me discover my ‘constellation of images’, a collage of mental pictures and personal experiences I’d used to enrich and brighten descriptions. Moreover, she taught me since I experienced real life through the senses (e.g. touch, hear, etc…), my readers should experience my fiction through them, too.
Now, I’m all but ashamed to admit this, but there once was a time when I believed Word Painting was the only writing McClanahan had ever published. She made references to her poetic works within this book, but somehow I didn’t grasp that they’d yet seen the light of day. But this changed nonetheless when one afternoon, I’d examined the shelves of my local library and found a book of poetry which—in terms of influence and inspiration—seem to be an extension of Word Painting.
This book was called The Intersection of X and Y!
Since I’d found this book, I’d gone on read many of McClanahan’s other poetic pieces. But given its candid accounts on life, vibrant tones, and unpredictability, The Intersection of X and Y is without doubt my favorite.
Although I won’t giveaway too much about the individual poems (as studying their figurative nature is part of the reader experience), for me nevertheless, everything about this book screamed cleverness. Even its black-and-white cover photo on which two dancers stand back-to-back, arms and legs outstretched, forming the letters X and a Y!
Hence please visit your local library, snag The Intersection of X and Y by Rebecca McClanahan, and read this piece with me for the month of March!!
Many thanks, folks, & we’ll ttys!!
Phil
P.S. Special thanks to Lori of LalaLori.com for posting the ‘Sons of Beast: Legend of Steeple Creek’ book trailer on her blog site!! My sincerest appreciation!!