COMPLETE Creative Writer, Creative Literary Noir

Creative Writer, Creative Literary Noir

By Jacob Malewitz

Just what do I mean by literary noir? It’s not quite crime noir, but it has elements of it. It’s more of the modern way of literary writing, the kind that brings out interest in it. This sort of literary noir—which is my own thought—seems to be growing in the literary world, where phrases like metafiction are the new wave. It can be fun, it can be boring. This article makes it fun.

Creatively, some writers go to far. For one, the novel is a purely creative act. The problem is you can be far too creative with stories. I once interviewed a novelist, who noted that comic books, which can be literary noir too, are often more about high art than entertaining loyal fans. Loyal fans should be entertained. The likes of Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, and Frank Miller can make all the literary noir they can; they’re good at it. Other writers see art as a vessel of some kind, a vessel for winning awards and … well may that is a rant. Let’s get back to literary noir.

I see some of my favorite writers as people who understand literary noir. I have read some John Udpike, too much Paul Auster, and far too much horror noir. I see these as lessons, lessons on what the creative mind can do. If anyone created literary noir, this thinking game where characters are obtuse and odd and mysterious, I might point toward the writer of “Frankenstein” or the author of “Don Coyote,” two classics which, with all their facets, are vastly cerebral works of prose.

It can all be boring. The point is rather simple, as far away as it seems. A creative writer, all creative writers, will toy with literary noir on some level. It’s not quite high art. In short, it’s entertaining readers while also showing them that the words on the page can dance too, that the words will dance with you on the odd days … and there are many odd days.

Creative Writer, Creative Literary Noir PART 1

Creative Writer, Creative Literary Noir PART 1

By Jacob Malewitz

Just what do I mean by literary noir? It’s not quite crime noir, but it has elements of it. It’s more of the modern way of literary writing, the kind that brings out interest in it. This sort of literary noir—which is my own thought—seems to be growing in the literary world, where phrases like metafiction are the new wave. It can be fun, it can be boring. This article makes it fun.

Creatively, some writers go to far. For one, the novel is a purely creative act. The problem is you can be far too creative with stories. I once interviewed a novelist, who noted that comic books, which can be literary noir too, are often more about high art than entertaining loyal fans. Loyal fans should be entertained. The likes of Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, and Frank Miller can make all the literary noir they can; they’re good at it. Other writers see art as a vessel of some kind, a vessel for winning awards and … well may that is a rant. Let’s get back to literary noir.

Complete, Book Addiction

Complete, Book Addiction

By Jacob Malewitz

(Photo Courtesy Stock.Xchng)

There is a book at the beginning and at the end. It could be the Bible, perhaps, or another tome on what it is to Be, just Be and nothing else. That is going down a spiritual track. The book addiction, however, has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with working your way up to the literary noir, or the fantasy fun, or even the science fiction wonderment. Feel the book addiction? I think you do; I always had it. This piece highlights the book addiction.

The book addiction is collecting …

And building a library of good books is, in my opinion, a big thing. You go from the literary noir of Paul Auster, John Updike, and Michael Chabon, to the odd machinations of Isaac Asimov and Dan Simmons (those sci-fi masterpiece). Or maybe you go down the roads of fantasy, where J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, Robert Jordan, and many other popular writers of the field go.

But picking names is …

Just picking names. I mentioned a bunch of authors so far, but, truly, the only one I really love so far is Paul Auster, and even he can be bad. Picking out names is, however, part of the book addiction. You go for the big names and the small names, book addict, because that is the way to true reading light.

Reading light has …

Nothing to do with faith and plenty to do with time. I see the reading light as something to be explored by each of us; it has a power which cannot be understated. Opening a book, you smell the pages. Looking at the picture of the author, and you wonder. Reading light becomes something more than building a book library or hoping you can get a discounted copy of “The Lord of the Rings,” “Harry Potter,” or a Stephen King horror. It means adding up all the names together, putting each writer on his/her pedestal, but choosing, choosing which one shows you the true reading light.

Book buying is …

The true path to literary happiness. Maybe I am going too much into theory. Maybe you should just keep it simple, forgetting the light and just picking up that beaten copy of a John Steinbeck masterpiece, or the forgotten dime novel from the 1950s. They say things, these books, and they lead to addiction.

Article by Jacob Malewitz

Author, The Writer Who Smiles, Now Available from Booklocker

http://www.booklocker.com/books/3288.html

Writer A Writer’s Eye, A Reader’s Eye, A Comic Eye, Chasing Heaven, Story And Script

Book Addiction Part 1

Book Addiction Part 1

By Jacob Malewitz

There is a book at the beginning and at the end. It could be the Bible, perhaps, or another tome on what it is to Be, just Be and nothing else. That is going down a spiritual track. The book addiction, however, has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with working your way up to the literary noir, or the fantasy fun, or even the science fiction wonderment. Feel the book addiction? I think you do; I always had it. This piece highlights the book addiction.

The book addiction is collecting …

And building a library of good books is, in my opinion, a big thing. You go from the literary noir of Paul Auster, John Updike, and Michael Chabon, to the odd machinations of Isaac Asimov and Dan Simmons (those sci-fi masterpiece). Or maybe you go down the roads of fantasy, where J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, Robert Jordan, and many other popular writers of the field go.

But picking names is …

Just picking names. I mentioned a bunch of authors so far, but, truly, the only one I really love so far is Paul Auster, and even he can be bad. Picking out names is, however, part of the book addiction. You go for the big names and the small names, book addict, because that is the way to true reading light.

Article by Jacob Malewitz

Author, The Writer Who Smiles, Now Available from Booklocker

http://www.booklocker.com/books/3288.html

Writer A Writer’s Eye, A Reader’s Eye, A Comic Eye, Chasing Heaven, Story And Script

Complete, Inspiring Paul Auster

Reading the works of Paul Auster, you get a glimpse. Being a creative mind, I’m always astonished at just what Auster can do with the page on a daily basis. Sure, he’s a Brooklyn writer in the vein of Borges, with obvious French influences, French tastes for the certain ways that film makers, as an example, explore the depth of humanity. I love Paul Auster because, no matter how many stories he completes which are oddly similar, it’s as though you are turning the pages not because you have to, but because you must. What Paul Auster does better than many modern novelists is see the page, be the page, turn the page interesting, turn his characters inside out—pushing them to the extremes of humanity.

I first discovered Auster through a grad student who, through some circles, recommended the top novel “City of Glass” which is part of “The New York Trilogy,” a damn good title which fits the mold of what Auster is. Soon I went to the realms of outsiders looking into the madness of the world. Later in his career, his interests were far more plain, yet you could see the interest in this author from the beginning, intersest in what makes us be who we are.

So I look to Paul Auster, the author of so many fine novels, not a single poor one, perhaps flawed but not poor, and I see something akin to the literary sleuth, the kind of writer we need here in America to expunge us of all the finer details of a New York life, the kind you see on the road waiting for an idea to pop into his head. And as a novelist, Auster may have some peers. I would say, in terms of interest, the only comparable living author is Stephen King—and they are so far apart, there is plenty of room for both. I am missing out on many literary authors—Michael Chabon, John Updike—but I believe Auster has a more fascinating treatise on what it is to be in pain, living with all the bad and good of the world. Don’t look to closely too the French writers, because I believe Auster, who lived in Paris, wrote in Paris, and read of Paris, is one of another influences who learned his literary noir while living in the city—only to write about the city that rarely sleeps.

Article by Jacob Malewitz

Author, The Writer Who Smiles, Now Available from Booklocker

http://www.booklocker.com/books/3288.html

Writer A Writer’s Eye, A Reader’s Eye, A Comic Eye, Chasing Heaven, Story And Script

Inspiring Paul Auster Part 1

Inspiring Paul Auster Part 1

by Jacob Malewitz

Writer A Writer’s Eye, A Reader’s Eye, A Comic Eye, Chasing Heaven, Story And Script

Reading the works of Paul Auster, you get a glimpse. Being a creative mind, I’m always astonished at just what Auster can do with the page on a daily basis. Sure, he’s a Brooklyn writer in the vein of Borges, with obvious French influences, French tastes for the certain ways that film makers, as an example, explore the depth of humanity. I love Paul Auster because, no matter how many stories he completes which are oddly similar, it’s as though you are turning the pages not because you have to, but because you must. What Paul Auster does better than many modern novelists is see the page, be the page, turn the page interesting, turn his characters inside out—pushing them to the extremes of humanity.

I first discovered Auster through a grad student who, through some circles, recommended the top novel “City of Glass” which is part of “The New York Trilogy,” a damn good title which fits the mold of what Auster is. Soon I went to the realms of outsiders looking into the madness of the world. Later in his career, his interests were far more plain, yet you could see the interest in this author from the beginning, intersest in what makes us be who we are.

Complete, Powerful Novelists: Paul Auster, James Morrow, Stephen King, Robert R. McCammon, Virginia Woolf

Powerful Novelists

Notes on some of the most powerful novelists in the last centuries, including Virginia Woolf, Mary Sheller, Paul Auster, Stephen King, and James Morrow.

Article by Jacob Malewitz

Author, The Writer Who Smiles, Now Available from Booklocker

http://www.booklocker.com/books/3288.html

Writer A Writer’s Eye, A Reader’s Eye, A Comic Eye, Chasing Heaven, Story And Script

Paul Auster is perhaps the foremost novelist here with his own power. When I read “The New York Trilogy” I saw a writer taking us readers to the edge. These novellas, as the book is three, are not perfect—they tend to each have their own life and power. What worked most for me was Paul Auster’s personal flair and touch. This New York writer understood madness and the depths of man’s mind. “City of Glass” is likely his best story ever, odd that it was his first. I reviewed both “Brooklyn Follies” and “Travels in the Scriptorium” here on A Reader’s Eye. I love his writing; he makes me want to keep reading, and not all authors can do that. For a primer on his work, I would begin with “The New York Trilogy” and, maybe, avoid his non-fiction works. They didn’t work for many critics; to Paul Auster has a talent more for fiction than non-fiction. He is also a screenwriter and director, but foremost he is famous as a novelist. He may not be on the edge, but he is oh-so-close. His novels express something powerful.

James Morrow is the next step back and up from the worlds of Paul Auster. I haven’t read as many works by Morrow as other authors (namely Auster and Stephen King) but I have explored many of his visions, even found the time to talk to the fantasy novelist through emails. Morrow might shudder at my calling him a fantasy novelist, especially with the success of his more mainstream work, “The Last Witchfinder.” I, however, saw him at his very best in “Only Begotten Daughter,” a tale which won a World Fantasy award, and for good reason. That is his best work. I read “The Last Witchfinder” after catching a review in the New York Times Book Review. It was, not so good, in my opinion, but still leagues ahead of other fiction.

Stephen King has been fairly popular on A Reader’s Eye in the past months, as I reviewed his novel “IT” and I wrote a piece “Hero and Writer: Stephen King and the Horror.” I will speak of him again. Never read Carrie or Firestarter. But I read “The Shining,” “The Gunslinger,” “IT,” “Bag of Bones,” “On Writing,” and a good number of his short stories. Some say “The Stand” is his best work, but I would find it hard to beat “The Shining,” a perfect combination of madness, alcoholism, and horror. Yes, Stephen King is a writer hero. Sure he gets the big checks. But he deserves them!

The Poor Man’s Stephen King. What a horrible name … but it aptly sums up the works of horror legend but relatively forgotten author Robert R. Mccammon. I read “Swan Song,” “Stinger,” some of “Boy’s Life,” and a few non-fiction articles. It is safe to say “Swan Song” is his best horror work. Since he was tagged as a horror writer, Robert R. Mccammon had trouble publishing later, non-horror books like “Sings The Nightbird.” As a writer of anything, he has plenty of talent. “Swan Song” is my favorite of Mccammon’s, and I think it could give “The Stand” or “The Shining” a run for the money. His name just never reached Stephen King or Anne Rice status.

Speaking of Annie Rice, where are all the female writers? I am more of a genre enthusiast. Powerful female novelists … there are plenty. I have yet to finish one of her books, but J.V. Joyce is one of the masters of the modern fantasy epic. Anne Rice moved away from horror—much to my chagrin—and wrote “Christ Out of Egypt,” which I tried to read, and I should have underlined tried. A powerful novelist named Mary Shelley wrote the best horror novel ever in her 20s, something called “Frankenstein.”

But, now that I think of it, the most powerful female novelist, and one who can give any male writer a run for their money, is …

Virginia Woolf. Who? Yes, you might have picked her up in some lost issue of “The New Yorker” or while scribbling in a crossword. But Virginia Woolf is the best literary novelist I have ever read. Simple as that. “To The Lighthouse” taught me more about language than any other book. There isn’t much tangible story—just tangible words which seem to move on the page. Move and dance.

Of all of them, who would I pick? Sure, I can tell you, soon, sooner … getting close … moving away, running to the next article …

Over on A Writer’s Eye: Complete, Ideas are not a Dime a Dozen

A Writer’s Eye is a blog for the creative writer in you. If you want book reviews on top writing how-tos, or just want to start being more creative, this blog can help. It comes from a published author, online writer, and newspaper editor.

Over on A Comic Eye: Transformers: The War Within Volume 1

Comics are the new frontier, becoming more and more popular. This review blog will get you started in the big world of comic books.

Over on Chasing Heaven : Complete, Drawn by Light

Chasing Heaven is a blog on health, addiction, happiness, and faith. It comes from someone who has battled drug addiction, battled depression and schizophrenia, and lived to talk about it.

Over on brand spanking new Story and Script : Complete, From Horror and From Hell

Story and Script is devoted to the script writing trade, but not just movies and TV shows—comics too. If you want to write a screenplay, want to know the basics behind your movie or comic hero, this blog can help. And in a fun way.

Powerful Novelists Part 2: Stephen King,Robert R. McCammon, Virginia Woolf

Article by Jacob Malewitz

Author, The Writer Who Smiles, Now Available from Booklocker

http://www.booklocker.com/books/3288.html

Writer A Writer’s Eye, A Reader’s Eye, A Comic Eye, Chasing Heaven, Story And Script

Stephen King has been fairly popular on A Reader’s Eye in the past months, as I reviewed his novel “IT” and I wrote a piece “Hero and Writer: Stephen King and the Horror.” I will speak of him again. Never read Carrie or Firestarter. But I read “The Shining,” “The Gunslinger,” “IT,” “Bag of Bones,” “On Writing,” and a good number of his short stories. Some say “The Stand” is his best work, but I would find it hard to beat “The Shining,” a perfect combination of madness, alcoholism, and horror. Yes, Stephen King is a writer hero. Sure he gets the big checks. But he deserves them!

The Poor Man’s Stephen King. What a horrible name … but it aptly sums up the works of horror legend but relatively forgotten author Robert R. Mccammon. I read “Swan Song,” “Stinger,” some of “Boy’s Life,” and a few non-fiction articles. It is safe to say “Swan Song” is his best horror work. Since he was tagged as a horror writer, Robert R. Mccammon had trouble publishing later, non-horror books like “Sings The Nightbird.” As a writer of anything, he has plenty of talent. “Swan Song” is my favorite of Mccammon’s, and I think it could give “The Stand” or “The Shining” a run for the money. His name just never reached Stephen King or Anne Rice status.

Speaking of Annie Rice, where are all the female writers? I am more of a genre enthusiast. Powerful female novelists … there are plenty. I have yet to finish one of her books, but J.V. Joyce is one of the masters of the modern fantasy epic. Anne Rice moved away from horror—much to my chagrin—and wrote “Christ Out of Egypt,” which I tried to read, and I should have underlined tried. A powerful novelist named Mary Shelley wrote the best horror novel ever in her 20s, something called “Frankenstein.”

But, now that I think of it, the most powerful female novelist, and one who can give any male writer a run for their money, is …

Virginia Woolf. Who? Yes, you might have picked her up in some lost issue of “The New Yorker” or while scribbling in a crossword. But Virginia Woolf is the best literary novelist I have ever read. Simple as that. “To The Lighthouse” taught me more about language than any other book. There isn’t much tangible story—just tangible words which seem to move on the page. Move and dance.

Of all of them, who would I pick? Sure, I can tell you, soon, sooner … getting close … moving away, running to the next article …

Over on A Writer’s Eye: Complete, Ideas are not a Dime a Dozen

A Writer’s Eye is a blog for the creative writer in you. If you want book reviews on top writing how-tos, or just want to start being more creative, this blog can help. It comes from a published author, online writer, and newspaper editor.

Over on A Comic Eye: Transformers: The War Within Volume 1

Comics are the new frontier, becoming more and more popular. This review blog will get you started in the big world of comic books.

Over on Chasing Heaven : Complete, Drawn by Light

Chasing Heaven is a blog on health, addiction, happiness, and faith. It comes from someone who has battled drug addiction, battled depression and schizophrenia, and lived to talk about it.

Over on brand spanking new Story and Script : Complete, From Horror and From Hell

Story and Script is devoted to the script writing trade, but not just movies and TV shows—comics too. If you want to write a screenplay, want to know the basics behind your movie or comic hero, this blog can help. And in a fun way.

Powerful Novelists, Part 1, Paul Auster and James Morrow

Powerful Novelists

A little sampling of this and that.

by Jacob Malewitz

Paul Auster is perhaps the foremost novelist here with his own power. When I read “The New York Trilogy” I saw a writer taking us readers to the edge. These novellas, as the book is three, are not perfect—they tend to each have their own life and power. What worked most for me was Paul Auster’s personal flair and touch. This New York writer understood madness and the depths of man’s mind. “City of Glass” is likely his best story ever, odd that it was his first. I reviewed both “Brooklyn Follies” and “Travels in the Scriptorium” here on A Reader’s Eye. I love his writing; he makes me want to keep reading, and not all authors can do that. For a primer on his work, I would begin with “The New York Trilogy” and, maybe, avoid his non-fiction works. They didn’t work for many critics; to Paul Auster has a talent more for fiction than non-fiction. He is also a screenwriter and director, but foremost he is famous as a novelist. He may not be on the edge, but he is oh-so-close. His novels express something powerful.

James Morrow is the next step back and up from the worlds of Paul Auster. I haven’t read as many works by Morrow as other authors (namely Auster and Stephen King) but I have explored many of his visions, even found the time to talk to the fantasy novelist through emails. Morrow might shudder at my calling him a fantasy novelist, especially with the success of his more mainstream work, “The Last Witchfinder.” I, however, saw him at his very best in “Only Begotten Daughter,” a tale which won a World Fantasy award, and for good reason. That is his best work. I read “The Last Witchfinder” after catching a review in the New York Times Book Review. It was, not so good, in my opinion, but still leagues ahead of other fiction.

Over on A Writer’s Eye: Ideas are not a Dime a Dozen Part 2

A Writer’s Eye is a blog for the creative writer in you. If you want book reviews on top writing how-tos, or just want to start being more creative, this blog can help. It comes from a published author, online writer, and newspaper editor.

Over on A Comic Eye: Blade of the Immortal, Blood of a Thousand

Comics are the new frontier, becoming more and more popular. This review blog will get you started in the big world of comic books.

Over on Chasing Heaven : Drawn by Light Part 2

Chasing Heaven is a blog on health, addiction, happiness, and faith. It comes from someone who has battled drug addiction, battled depression and schizophrenia, and lived to talk about it.

Over on brand spanking new Story and Script : From Horror and From Hell Part 2

Story and Script is devoted to the script writing trade, but not just movies and TV shows—comics too. If you want to write a screenplay, want to know the basics behind your movie or comic hero, this blog can help. And in a fun way.