Inspiration

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I’m not sure why I turned to Ernest Hemingway last Saturday while browsing for books at my favorite bookstore on the planet.  Yes, you guessed it – The Strand on Broadway at East 11^th street in NYC.  For some reason I’ve been chomping at the bit to begin writing fiction after my foray last year with my micro-series entitled “Hanoi Posting”. 

It remains unpublished for the moment but it certainly has whet my appetite for broadening my erudite horizons, although I realize I’m not exactly a literary giant in the making but merely a guy who loves a good story, and now with a little experience (my book, 214 blog posts and a 28 part micro-series under my belt) I feel like stretching my boundaries.

Finding time to write is the tricky part, although most experienced writers will tell you that if you write 1000 – 1500 words per day you’re doing well.  Currently that’s about the extent of my weekly writing output so clearly I’m going to have up the ante just a tad.  J

I can hear you all asking “so why Hemingway?”  I read many of his books, and each time I’m jolted by the rawness of his writing.  He certainly had his own style of writing and still can’t quite decide if I like it or not…but whether I like it or not is not the objective its exploring how other writers frame their stories and convey their storyline.

The book I picked up is a collection of short stories entitled “Men Without Women” which was one of his earlier books, written during his Paris years and first published in 1928.  It was a prolific period for Hemingway and ultimately established his reputation as a true artisan, although this particular book is less well known than some of his big works.

So how do you begin a ripping yarn? 

Great question!  For example in “Hanoi Posting” I used the names of people I know or had met during my time in Vietnam to be the main characters.  Hanoi by itself is full of mystery and intrigue, that’s without layering in a love triangle, a little sexual intrigue and a good dose of revenge for good measure.

An important aspect is to ensure there is strong character development including the back-story for each of the characters so that you understand the sensitivities and motivations for the way they act and react in certain situations.  Finding the right time and space to explore this is also critical, and particularly tricky within a micro story framework as this format generally ranges between 200 – 400 words per story. 

Another important element is the way the writer conveys the scene, so that you, as the reader can conjure the image in your head and this is why may readers complain that after reading the book the movie of the same story just doesn’t do it for them.  The imagery that you create in your head is far richer that what someone else can create and so really framing out the scene is a big priority so that the reader can feel and almost see the scene before them.

Think about your favorite authors and the way that they’ve built out their stories that you’ve loved, and I’m betting that they have rich imagery and an interesting cast of characters that you can connect with as you read. 

It truly is an art and the more I delve into writing the more I’m in awe of a good writer and what they can convey. 

Okay, so I’m going to share with you the first micro-story from “Hanoi Posting”.   Let me know if you'd like to read more of this series. J

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“Hanoi Posting”

A series of micro-stories by Terence Wallis

Story 1: Hanoi Dawn

It was very early and except for the ubiquitous scooters that still prowled these pre-dawn streets he was alone.  He stood on the step momentarily and as he surveyed the deserted street but all he could see was the reflection of streetlights in the gathering dawn and thick air that hung over the city like a wet blanket.  

Within seconds his shirt had begun to stick to the skin on his back, perspiration beads forming on his brow and tiny droplets of sweat appearing on the wrists, even at this hour it was stiflingly hot.  The humidity and pungent smells of Hanoi’s Cát Linh Đống Đa assailed him as soon as he had stepped from the air-conditioned sanctuary that he now called home. 

The life of a foreign correspondent wasn't all what it was cracked up to be he thought to himself as his mind wandered back to that fateful day in John’s office, when he had begged to be posted to Hanoi.  Memories of that conversation still haunted him, but that was another lifetime ago and so disconnected with his current reality. 

It wasn't that he was a bad correspondent, no far from it.  He'd been a dogged overachiever in his work with the Sydney Morning Herald and later the Times in London and had always yearned for a posting like this.  However, soon after arriving in Hanoi he realized that it was far from the exotic location he'd expected or hoped for and that he’d literally thrust himself into a journalistic backwater with little hope of salvation. 

He closed his eyes momentarily and sighed deeply to himself, the lack of sleep and overall exhaustion weighing heavily on him. 

God, how could I have been so naïve he chided himself as he groggily made his way along the street toward the Old Quarter.  He felt the pre-dawn gloom wrap itself around him like the comfortable companion that it had become over these past six months.

If only I had that moment over again, he thought…

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As you know last weekend I was in New York with Zach on our road trip to drop him off at summer school (Georgetown University in Washington DC).  I shot around 1000 photos over the course of the 36 hours in the city, here is a small selection for your viewing enjoyment!

The iconic Chrysler Building

Rivets, shadows and lights at Grand Central Station

The stunning ceiling of Grand Central Station - truly awe inspiring!

Just like in the movies 

Amazing chandeliers inside Grand Central

Something about the past that comes alive in Grand Central

Original clock at the center of Grand Central

Even the exterior of Grand Central is cool!

I loved the way the light hit the side of the building
in front of the Chrysler

Out on my stroll around the city with Zach

Afternoon light reflected on a building along 5th Avenue

New York City Public Library - such a cool building

Vertigo anyone?

Hanging out at Bryant Park on 42nd Street

Awesome angles on these new buildings on 5th

At the end of the day in Bryant Park

Late afternoon light in Bryant Park

Bryant Park is such an oasis in the city with gorgeous gardens
and cool, refreshing lawns

Towers reaching for the sky in Manhattan

So old school!   Empire state building looming large

The Empire State building from my hotel on 37th Street

TW at the Flatiron building

Lower East side

A morning at MoMA - absolutely stunning!

Amazing antique glass pieces at MoMA

Zach and I reflected on our visit to the Guggenheim 

Across the road from Dean & Deluca's - I bet it could tell some stories!

Night time in the city - so very Gotham

Night time in Bryant Park

The Empire state all lite up for the Fourth of July weekend

Just another night in Time Square

Zach at the Guggenheim

You just have to love the design of the Guggenheim

The Flatiron building reaching for the sky

The hat seller on 5th Avenue