Bob's Write from the Start: Author Intrusion

Bob's Write from the Start

Bob’s Write from the Start, a blog sharing the roller coaster ride of this renewing writer’s feelings and actual experiences, began March 2017. That January, I began with a two-sentence contribution to a local Writing Group. I am now a Guest Columnist for a local paper and have contributed to small and online magazines. My comments for new and renewing writers? Start by starting. Join a writing group. You are unique but not alone. Once you start work, you will not be in Kansas anymore.

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Author Intrusion

One of the many advantages of participating actively in your local writing group -- besides the usually cited examples of associating with like-minded individuals who actually understand the magnitude of your triumphs and defeats; the pure social experience for writers who spend most if their time in solitary pursuits, and so forth -- is that you can actually learn something.

For instance, a few days ago someone used the phrase 'author intrusion' (which is a lovely-sounding phrase even without knowing its meaning, don't you think?). I looked it up.

Someone (I think from https://penandthepad.com) says: "Authorial intrusion is My own memory a literary device where the author intentionally breaks from the narrative and addresses the reader directly. Used correctly, this device can create a relationship between the author and the reader adding an additional layer to the story. Used incorrectly, it becomes an annoying nuisance."

http://themanuscriptshredder.com, the site I recommend for a detailed explanation, says: "If you are writing in 1st person POV or deep 3rd, you shouldn't use authorial intrusion.
My own positive memories include Tom Jones and how much I enjoyed Henry Fielding's interjections; and The Great Gatsby.

So now, I'm going to revisit my own Bugs in the Grass story and see if I can remedy my use of "Gentle Reader" author intrusion.

Right after I figure out what "deep 3rd" person is.

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About Me

Name: Bob's Write From The Start

Location: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada

Born, raised and living in Sarnia, Ontario, Bob Boulton began writing poetry, short stories and humorous articles for his high school newspaper in the period just after dinosaurs roamed the earth. His article on the mysteries of the Chess Club was particularly well-received. Bob’s excruciatingly naive teenage sonnet was published with positive mention in the high school yearbook. In University he wrote pretty much indecipherable essays on Existentialism and Phenomenology. Then, early in his working career, Bob also wrote short feature articles in the now-defunct (not his fault) Weston York Times. For this, he was paid $5.00 per article, which didn’t quite cover his transportation and parking costs. Then after a short break of thirty-five or forty years as an executive and leadership coach, Bob reactivated his passion for writing. The alternatives he considered were learning to yodel or trying to play the bagpipes. Bob’s loving and supportive family voted enthusiastically, and quickly, for writing.