The bit about applying Newtonian physics to politics is insightful, but I also wonder whether you derive your comedy from the friction between engineering and human imperfection. The engineer expects everything he/she works with to obey the immutable laws of, for instance, physics, whereas human interactions, while we all sometimes wish they'd be governed by logic and predictable forces, are in fact messy and irrational. That point at which the behaviour departs from the physics is a comedic spark.
I mention this because, no matter how often I have tried to map out a precise outline for a literary project, I will quickly reach the point where one of my characters comes to life, puts his or her foot down and yells at me: "That's not how I intend to act!" And at that point the story takes off...
Although we marvelled at the concept of flight - mostly because of Superman - our summer days were spent building go-carts with wheels from prams to race down Mommaletti Hill. How many near-death experiences, you ask? 😉
I do so appreciate how you are able to present your very focussed and disciplined writing process, Terry. We couldn’t be more different in that. Referring to myself as a “chunk” writer, I find that I can’t ever really shut my ideas -brain down and just keep creating and recreating scenes and plots in my head constantly. These I write on sticky-notes, napkins, newspapers and my arms (when there is no paper around. I even leave notes on my cell. The real discipline comes in when I sit and write which happens for very long stretches of time. Days, sometimes.
Reading this was good for me. It made me question my own process which, I realized, was in action even while reading your blog. In fact, you gave me a great idea that I will explore! If it goes anywhere, I’ll be sure to give you credit!
Thanks again for a wonderful and insightful piece, Terry.
Always a pleasure, Paul. We all write differently. Some our finest writers work with no outline at all, or even a clear sense of where the story is going. They write their way through the story whereas I always feel as if I must know the entire story before I actually start writing the manuscript. Different strokes. Richard Wright, who wrote Clara Callan, a Giller Prize winner, once said "I couldn't get my ass in the chair each day if I knew where the story was going." No planning for him, but it's hard to argue with his success. I think the key is for each writer to commit to figuring out exactly how they write best. I think I was fortunate enough to figure that out with my first novel. Lucky for me. Take care.
A fascinating story Terry. I'm always surprised by the twists and turns people go through, and where they end up in life. Often it's by chance that opportunities appear but it is certain that all our experiences come together to make us who we are.
It is possible to be a literate Engineer. Our daughter, the McMaster grad, has a degree in Engineering and Society - Engineering Physics with a minor in Comparative Lit. She works for Laurentis as a Nuclear Engineer and writes compelling reports!
So glad to hear this. You must be proud of her. When I went to Mac, the idea of minoring in Comparative Lit while doing an engineering degree was a foreign concept. As the then Associate Dean told me back then “That’s not an engineering education.” I’m happy the university has evolved from those narrow-minded days.
She had to talk her way into the Compartive Lit course, as the dept. head wasn't too keen on "babysitting" an Engineering student. She passed the interview when she was able to discuss Margaret Atwood's work!
I graduated from University of Waterloo and used it as the setting for one of my books (The Second Shooter). My career was in IT and Project Management (Plan the work and then work the plan), but I don't use such a structured approach in my writing. I usually know how the book will start and how it will end, but I just let the characters tell me how to get there.
The bit about applying Newtonian physics to politics is insightful, but I also wonder whether you derive your comedy from the friction between engineering and human imperfection. The engineer expects everything he/she works with to obey the immutable laws of, for instance, physics, whereas human interactions, while we all sometimes wish they'd be governed by logic and predictable forces, are in fact messy and irrational. That point at which the behaviour departs from the physics is a comedic spark.
I mention this because, no matter how often I have tried to map out a precise outline for a literary project, I will quickly reach the point where one of my characters comes to life, puts his or her foot down and yells at me: "That's not how I intend to act!" And at that point the story takes off...
Great observation, Ronald. I hear you! Here's hoping your characters take your stories to wonderful places. All the best.
Although we marvelled at the concept of flight - mostly because of Superman - our summer days were spent building go-carts with wheels from prams to race down Mommaletti Hill. How many near-death experiences, you ask? 😉
I do so appreciate how you are able to present your very focussed and disciplined writing process, Terry. We couldn’t be more different in that. Referring to myself as a “chunk” writer, I find that I can’t ever really shut my ideas -brain down and just keep creating and recreating scenes and plots in my head constantly. These I write on sticky-notes, napkins, newspapers and my arms (when there is no paper around. I even leave notes on my cell. The real discipline comes in when I sit and write which happens for very long stretches of time. Days, sometimes.
Reading this was good for me. It made me question my own process which, I realized, was in action even while reading your blog. In fact, you gave me a great idea that I will explore! If it goes anywhere, I’ll be sure to give you credit!
Thanks again for a wonderful and insightful piece, Terry.
Always a pleasure, Paul. We all write differently. Some our finest writers work with no outline at all, or even a clear sense of where the story is going. They write their way through the story whereas I always feel as if I must know the entire story before I actually start writing the manuscript. Different strokes. Richard Wright, who wrote Clara Callan, a Giller Prize winner, once said "I couldn't get my ass in the chair each day if I knew where the story was going." No planning for him, but it's hard to argue with his success. I think the key is for each writer to commit to figuring out exactly how they write best. I think I was fortunate enough to figure that out with my first novel. Lucky for me. Take care.
Ah, the 70s!
The Falcon 2 was a thing of beauty -- looks much more credible than the various devices I tried to get off the ground in... An engineer, indeed!
(Not to mention the fact that you actually had the foresight to put on something resembling a crash helmet. You were decades ahead of your time!)
~Graham
Ha! Thanks Graham. Those were crazy, heady days.
Ter
And George Saunders. Like Law, Engineering and other professional training teach a rigorous way of thinking and often conduct!
Agreed!
A fascinating story Terry. I'm always surprised by the twists and turns people go through, and where they end up in life. Often it's by chance that opportunities appear but it is certain that all our experiences come together to make us who we are.
It is possible to be a literate Engineer. Our daughter, the McMaster grad, has a degree in Engineering and Society - Engineering Physics with a minor in Comparative Lit. She works for Laurentis as a Nuclear Engineer and writes compelling reports!
So glad to hear this. You must be proud of her. When I went to Mac, the idea of minoring in Comparative Lit while doing an engineering degree was a foreign concept. As the then Associate Dean told me back then “That’s not an engineering education.” I’m happy the university has evolved from those narrow-minded days.
She had to talk her way into the Compartive Lit course, as the dept. head wasn't too keen on "babysitting" an Engineering student. She passed the interview when she was able to discuss Margaret Atwood's work!
I graduated from University of Waterloo and used it as the setting for one of my books (The Second Shooter). My career was in IT and Project Management (Plan the work and then work the plan), but I don't use such a structured approach in my writing. I usually know how the book will start and how it will end, but I just let the characters tell me how to get there.