What I Saw

I had remarked to neighbors over the past few weeks how unusual it was that by mid-September, I still had not encountered a rattlesnake.

I knew all that talk of “not seeing any snakes” was probably going to bite me in the butt — or the ankle (though hopefully neither)! Sure enough, three days later, as I was jogging, I ran into – quite literally – my first rattler of the season.

This angry rattlesnake, unbeknownst to me and hubby, was coiled right outside our screen door (2009). When we opened the door, not knowing he was there, we inadvertently ripped off eight segments of his rattle as they became caught under the door. Photo was taken hanging out of the kitchen window. Click to enlarge.

Because I still had forward momentum when I saw him – literally one stride away from landing right on him – I nearly fell trying to turn around on my planted left ankle.

Lesson learned? Do not grow complacent! I am, once again, hypersensitive while jogging, my eyes scanning for diamonds and stripes every step I take.

For Writers: This same complacency can be just as dangerous in your writing life. You feel you’ve written a spectacular scene, dialogue, or even first novel, second novel, third. You “know this stuff” and understand the mechanics of storytelling like the back of your hand. You don’t need to practice. You’re that good. Really?

Even Stephen King emphasizes a need for continual learning. That’s why part of his writing life involves reading the work of others – learning from them. According to debut author Jody Hedlund (The Preacher’s Bride), authors need to push themselves to grow. “I’m always surprised when I run across other writers who turn up their noses at the idea of learning more about the basics of fiction-writing,” she says in her blog.

How can you avoid that complacency in your writing?

• Don’t be a lazy reader: Reading for pleasure is fun, but learn to deconstruct/analyze books for what is working, what isn’t, and why.
• Consider the advice of experts: I’m not a huge fan of how-to-write books, feeling that reading “the real thing” is the best way to learn. But some craft books really do lend insight to your writing. Stephen King’s On Writing is one. The collegiate text Writing Fiction by Janet Burroway is another.
• Edit, edit, edit: Even if you think your work is sparkly and dazzling, seek out the areas where more description could bring your novel to life; pare down boring exposition; ensure your dialogue is really authentic.
• Take advantage of critique/criticism: Another set of eyes is paramount to good writing.  I believe writing in a vacuum can be the kiss of death. Helpful partners will point out what’s working, but also gaps, areas of confusion, the need for tension or more character development, etc.
• Step back from your work: Your bleary eyes need a break from your work – work that has consumed you, become a part of you, frustrated you, excited you. Sometimes, letting your manuscript simmer and coming back three weeks or so later can reveal so much about your writing.

My advice: avoid the complacency. Now!

I continue to be amazed at nature’s ability to conceal. I nearly squashed this lizard when hiking last week at Smelter Wash. The only reason I saw him was the bright yellow on his back.

This male Greater Earless Lizard, a common Arizona lizard, seemed to be “playing dead” when I first came upon him. He shot up out of the dirt when I nudged him gently with my foot. Click to enlarge.

As it turns out, this lizard was partaking in typical lizard behavior: sand-basking – warming up the top of his body as the morning sun heated up the sand, and cooling his underside in the wash. (Thanks go to amateur herpetologist Bryan Hughes for the lizard I.D. and lizard behavior insight).

Despite not knowing what kind of lizard this was at the time – or if he was a biter – my hiking partner, Kathy, felt the urge to scoop him up into her hand. What can I say?  She can’t resist horned lizards, frogs, toads.  This guy, with his turquoise belly, didn’t like being handled and jumped back down to the dirt. And fortunately, he didn’t bite!

Even though they blend in with their surroundings, some greater earless lizards sport even more vibrant colors – looking like walking bags of Skittles candies.

For Writers: The topic of camouflage can teach a few things about realistic, gripping dialogue. In Writing Fiction, authors Janet Burroway & Elizabeth and Ned Stuckey-French say, “Dialogue can fall flat if characters define their feelings too precisely and honestly, because the purpose of human exchange is to conceal as well as to reveal – to impress, hurt, protect, seduce, or reject.”

Sometimes the things that aren’t said or aren’t seen by the reader– those that are hidden/camouflaged – can create the most tension in a conversation. When readers must read between the lines, they’re often more engaged. And this same behavior is commonplace in everyday conversations.

As Burroway and Stuckey-French remind us: “When an unspoken subject remains unspoken, tension continues to build in a story.”