Aug 11 2013

Dancing with the Sags

Melissa Crytzer Fry

Saguaro Series IV

I confess to having little coordination when it comes to dancing (which is why I will not be signing up for Zumba classes anytime soon, as fun as I think they’d be).

But there’s something to be said about movement – about flow and the energy created by things in motion. Even the suggestion of motion spurs the desire to toss hands in the air and let loose, doesn’t it? At least that’s what I think every time I see a dancing saguaro in the desert.

This happy saguaro reminds me of a ballerina, with her skirt unfurled, tulle singing. Click to enlarge

And this – is it a curtsey or plié? Or maybe even a handlebar mustache? Click to enlarge.

I can’t help but think of the FTD Florist icon when I look at these happy, bent appendages. Click to enlarge.

Undulating arms. Click to enlarge.

Taking a bow. Click to enlarge.

Walk like an Egyptian? Click to enlarge.

The Arm Cradle. Click to enlarge.

Anyone in the mood for The Twist? Click to enlarge.

I don’t know about you, but suddenly, I want to dance.

For Readers: What do you prefer in your fiction: fast movement from the start, or slower plots that ease their way into action? Are sweeping twists and turns the hallmarks of a great novel, or do slight dips and toe-taps excite you just as much?

For Writers: What techniques do you employ to ensure forward momentum in your stories? Are hidden secrets part of the mix? Revelation of character motivation? Or do you rely on the shocking actions of your characters to create movement? What else do you pull from your bag of tricks to ensure your words dance from the page?

Missed the other photos and posts in my Saguaro Series? There’s always now: Idiosyncratic Saguaro, Majestic Crested Saguaro, and End of Mighty Saguaro.


20 Responses to “Dancing with the Sags”

  • Donna Says:

    If I get to pick and choose, I will likely choose a fast moving start so that I’m hooked and won’t want to put the book down. That being said, I honestly don’t mind a slow start or a lull as long as there is something that reels me in and keeps my interest. What I really love is when something happens that I didn’t see coming. I admire you writers who are able to do these “magic” tricks with words.

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    Melissa Reply:

    That’s what I find fascinating about books: they can be GOOD for so many different reasons. Sometimes I’m sucked in by language, other times by a character’s circumstance, sometimes a big event, sometimes by a question posed on the first page … Like you, I love those big “I didn’t see that coming” moments in fiction! Thanks for sharing, Donna. I know I owe you an email response yet (sorry)!

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  • Erika Marks Says:

    Melissa, as always you amaze me with your gift for seeing–and sharing!–the natural world. I can’t wait until I can tour your Sags in person with you! As for forward momentum in our writing, it can be hard. I think I often employ the “wanting” principle to keep my plots moving–as in, everyone wants something, even if it’s a drink of water (I think it was Vonnegut who said this)

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    Melissa Reply:

    YES! Goals and desires … and then thwarting them. Definitely a reason to keep turning the page! Love the Vonnegut quote. So true!

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  • Julia Munroe Martin Says:

    Man, this makes me miss the southwest desert! Gorgeous photos! As for techniques to ensure forward momentum…I do like the use of hidden secrets and slow revelation of character motivation — both as a writer and a reader, too. I absolutely love it when writers do this well and I work at figuring out how to do it better. Great post!

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    Melissa Reply:

    Yes … figuring out how to do it well … that is the challenge, isn’t it?

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  • Laurie Buchanan Says:

    Melissa – The photos are extraordinary. I love the accompanying word picture you painted.

    As to my preference…hook me with fast action from the beginning, then take me through a myriad of dips and twirls with a sprinkling of slower spots so I can catch my breath.

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    Melissa Reply:

    As always, Laurie, you have a way with words! The last two books I read had so many dips and twirls, I thought I was on a roller coaster ride. And guess what? I love roller coasters! So it was a darn good time.

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  • Jolina Petersheim Says:

    Beautiful photos, as always. I like a novel to be a mixture of both, like The Orchardist, for example: it has these intense, fast-paced scenes, then reflective breathtaking imagery. The best of both worlds, in my opinion. 🙂

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    Melissa Reply:

    I agree: I like the combo deal. And The Orchardist … ahh… one of the most skillfully written books ever for the very reasons you mention. It was one of my favorites last year. Setting as character was SO WELL DONE in that book!

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  • Annie Neugebauer Says:

    What beautiful cacti! They really do suggest motion. For me, writing and reading both are all about rhythm. Pacing and such are different for each story, but every story should have its own internal rhythm — the type of flow that readers notice subconsciously rather than consciously. I definitely think poets and musicians have a leg up in that department!

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    Melissa Reply:

    Such an astute observation, but to be expected from a poet. Here’s where I completely envy poets (and musicians). You’re SO right (and so lucky to be a poet and author).

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  • Cynthia Robertson Says:

    You ask the best questions, Melissa. The answers in the comments are all interesting. And isn’t it fun that each is different from the next? Even if it’s a subtle tale, an undercurrent of ‘what will happen next’ is a must, for me as a reader. As a writer I try and throw my characters obstacles or problems—situations that need solving—to up the ante, or increase the pressure.
    Saguaros are a SW treasure, aren’t they? Lovely photos.

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    Melissa Reply:

    I have a bit of a love affair with saguaros (as you can tell).

    But yes … the old “thwarting of goals and desires” by throwing in some obstacles and collisions… such an effective way to up the tension!

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  • Natalia Sylvester Says:

    Amazing. I never would have associated dance with cacti but you’re right that there’s so much movement here…beautiful.

    I think in reading (as in dance) I love all forms of movement, all kinds of paces. What really makes a difference to me is that the mood (the “music”) be set well enough so that the rhythm and pace feels natural. There’s something beautiful about a quiet, slow book in which the sentences dance, but it still has to move and go somewhere. And fast paced books, the ones I just don’t want to put down, need to also give me more than just excitement…I want to feel grateful for that dance at the end of it!

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    Melissa Reply:

    Such a great point about grounding the reader. Characters must have genuine — not contrived – motivations. The setting and the reactions must fit together like perfect puzzle pieces to achieve that movement/mood. I agree about the beauty of quiet, slow books with gorgeous writing — as well as the need for quicker reads. Thank goodness we have both!

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  • Shary Says:

    Great photos, as always!

    I’m a fan of mysteries, so I like hidden secrets. As far as pacing goes, it doesn’t have to be fast as long as the characters interest me and I love tiny clever twists. I don’t think I do any of those things well in my own writing, so perhaps I need to study harder!

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    Melissa Reply:

    That seems to be the mystery for all writers: making sure the characters are interesting enough to convey movement and forward momentum. I’m a firm believer that everything revolves around character development. I think scintillating characters will make for a moving plot. But that’s just me.

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  • Nina Says:

    I still cannot get over how phallic those things are. 😉

    As for books and pace, I’m discovering I like to switch it up from book to book. After so much “serious fiction” i just stayed up until 3am two nights in a row reading The First Affair which is totally fun and racy and based on the Monica Lewinsky situation. Not my usual pick, but it was GOOD!

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  • Jackie Cangro Says:

    The “dances” of the saguaros are fantastic, Melissa! I remember visiting the national park there in Tucson and falling in love with these majestic sentinels of the desert. They almost sneak up on you.

    I think I’ve read somewhere that they grow one arm only after they are 50 years old. Do you know if that is true?

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