SLSL "TSR" "what I dislike about my writing "

[Elainemmbell at aol.com]

I've been thinking about the difference between densely populous/concept 
heavy writers and narrow populace/narrative heavy writers quite a bit lately, 
especially as I struggled with my own (densely populous/concept heavy) 
issues.

Speaking perhaps profanely merely from my own struggles, here's my 
interpretation of TP's "overlay" issues:  what he perceives in his early 
fiction to be an "overlay" feels false to him in mature reading, an add-on, 
an artifice.  Though you are absolutely right that he never (yet) has lost 
the overlay, he may believe it to be more integral and fitting to the later 
works, and not nearly so obvious or artificial.  By my reading, he's right.  

This is a writer who is at his best when he works within his proper metier of 
complex language, multiple levels of cultural reference, and varying degrees 
of intellectual honesty and sophistry.  Realizing, somehwere along the line, 
that he woudl not ever be writing like Camus or Wharton or Francois Sagan, he 
accepted his own style and learned to fly with it out to the GR heights and 
beyond.  This is not a style that comes off particularly well in immature 
efforts because it feels (even to the author) somehow mannered and phony.  
With time, the author realizes this style IS honest and he wields it with 
more assurance and ease.

Elaine M.M. Bell, Writer
(860) 523-9225
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