1721LHS-Carver_Raymond-COLLECTED_STORIES-Fires-pp734-746

Commonwealth of Australia

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• Course of Study: 1721LHS Writing and Reading a Changing World.

• Title of Work: Collected Stories (2009).

• Section: Fires (pp. 734-746).

• Author/Editor: Raymond Carver.

• Publisher: Literary Classics of the United States.

Fires: Influences on Writing

• Understanding Influence:

  • Influence described as forces (circumstances, personalities) likened to tides.

  • Difficulty in identifying literary influences distinctly; both broad and specific influences exist.

  • Mention of admiration for writers like Ernest Hemingway and Lawrence Durrell, but recognition that true influence differs from mere admiration.

• Personal Experience:

  • Influences clarified over time; mysterious qualities may shape direction in writing.

  • Current writing happens at Yaddo, a location connected to a free atmosphere conducive for contemplation and creativity.

  • Description of environmental influences such as horse races triggering memories for a new short story set in El Paso.

• Unexpected Character Creation:

  • Coincidental occurrence leads to writing a character named Nelson based on a wrong number call.

  • Insights gained from everyday interactions influencing character development.

Memory and Creative Process

• Challenges with Memory:

  • Author struggles with remembering details but recalls vivid images, small phrases, and essential moments.

  • Life events and memories tend to resurface in moments of need, adding substance to stories.

• Stripped Down Writing Style:

  • Narrative style described as "minimalist" due to necessity and convenience; focuses on core elements rather than embellishments.

  • Writing influenced more by immediate experiences than a detailed recollection of the past.

Parenting as Influence

• Impact of Fatherhood:

  • Children identified as the greatest influence on the author's life and work, shaping perspective and themes in writing.

  • Flannery O’Connor's belief that major life experiences happen before age twenty contrasted with the author's later revelations post-parenthood.

• Life in Iowa City:

  • An anecdote from a laundromat illustrates the weight of parenting responsibilities versus aspirations of a writing career.

  • Realizations of the constant demands of family life overshadowing creative pursuits.

The Nature of Writing Under Constraints

• Writing During Parenting Years:

  • Necessity to write shorter works due to limited time and resource constraints, focusing on quick completions of stories or poems.

  • Long periods marked by chaos and unpredictability did not favor larger works like novels.

• Instinctive Approaches:

  • Developing habits of writing quickly, filled with urgency for immediate gratification.

  • Balance of writing lived experiences amidst chaos of managing family life and work commitments.

Key Influencers

• Influential Figures:

  • John Gardner had a significant impact on shaping writing techniques and style; emphasis on clarity and use of common language.

  • Importance of precision in wording, avoidance of ambiguous phrases noted as a fundamental lesson.

  • Gordon Lish's Role:

  • Published early stories, marking a turning point in the author's writing career.

  • Transition from follower of mainstream to experimental literature, thanks to Lish's guidance.

Conclusion on Personal Influence

• Reflections on Influence:

  • Children as the permanent influence on writing and life; they shaped both the personal narrative and the author’s voice.

  • Current clarity in life contrasts earlier days of chaos, yet acknowledgment remains of the lasting impact of parenting.