 The Metaphysics of the Novel
Most writers would guess that a book with chapter titles like "Narrative Power" and "The Dynamics of Dialogue" is just another dull, instructional text on the mechanics of writing. You know the kind I mean--they end up collecting dust on your shelf, the spine barely worn. So if the aspiring writer is looking for that kind of book, it's their business and I leave them to it. However, those wanting a fresh perspective would be doing themselves an injustice if they didn't buy and read The Metaphysics of the Novel. I know, because I've read it four times myself. It was around 1982 when my uncle got me reading a series of paperback
books he'd collected after his return from Vietnam. The first book started
like this: "Mack Bolan was not born to kill..."
While The Metaphysics of the Novel does offer practical advice on dialogue and narrative techniques, it goes much further and provides a refreshing view of the creative processes at work during the building of a book. And as Don notes in his introduction: "That is my whole game here, with this book,
Because the book is a study of the creative process behind writing a novel, it also--through natural evolution--becomes a study of the novelist as well. Don expounds upon the idea that something magical occurs when the novelist begins to write. He is correct, because there is nothing more magical than the creative process. He further elaborates the idea that our imagination is the tool by which we clothe our view of the world and the people around us. That somehow, through our creativity, we are compelled to take the reader's hand and show them something new and exciting. Every time I read The Metaphysics of the Novel, I find myself marveling at Don's grasp of the writing mind, and how the novelist is propelled to build one creative block upon another until a very blank page is suddenly filled with very real words. Most profound to the idea of writing is a process Don calls "Structural Harmonics." While many alleged experts might compare this to scene and structure, Don's perspective on the matter is quite different. In these instances, structural harmonics deals with simple but practical matters such as blending scenes and viewpoints, ending chapters, and what to do when we get carried away with our art and paint ourselves into the proverbial corner. Finally, the writing experience can be a humbling one, as can the first sale or book contract. Nobody handles the intricate delicacies of balancing the craft of writing with the science of publishing better than Don in the chapter "A Sobering Perspective." However, some might wonder about the credibility of the authors, but since I hardly think I could offer an unbiased opinion let me put it in a different perspective. If I were to hand you a book and say, "You really need to read this if you're going to write," one of the first things you would probably do is ask me about the content of the book, and maybe it would interest you and maybe it wouldn't. But if I were to hand you the book and say, "Here's a book by an author who has published over a hundred books, and written thousands of articles, letters, essays and academic papers on a wide variety of subjects," then you would probably open the book and start reading immediately. Why? Because you are an intelligent being who can put two and two together and conclude, "Hey, this guy and his wife really did something right!" And while I am on the subject, I do not think a review merits the effort if the reviewer is not also ready to offer a criticism of some sort. So here it is: Why did it take a publisher so long to realize the value of the book and get it out to those who needed it most: the writers?" I do not recommend this book because Don Pendleton (may he rest in peace) is my favorite author, nor because Linda Pendleton is a close and personal friend. I recommend it because I am now a professional author with nearly a dozen books either published or forthcoming, and I can guarantee first hand that it is invaluable for anyone with the genuine desire to write and publish their book. But please remember that The Metaphysics of the Novel is not a surefire
method to creating and publishing your novel. Only you are in control
of that. I'm just saying it's one hell of a good place to start.
Review © Copyright 2001 by Jon Guenther Jon Guenther Biography Jon Guenther was born and raised in the Chicago area. He joined the military at 17 and upon discharge began writing as a hobby. Soon, Jon's passion for writing saw fruition with the publication of a poem in the 1997 anthology of "Poetic Voices of America." In 1998, the action-suspense novel Chaser was released on unabridged audio by Books In Motion and roared to the #1 spot in less than 3 months. Jon's talent also caught the eye of Gold Eagle Books, and soon Jon was writing action-adventure novels based on Don Pendleton's highly successful series, The Executioner. With over 9 novels to his credit, and many more to come, Jon Guenther is quickly becoming one of today's hottest action-adventure writers. |
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