Just wondered if any other members use this style of writing (apart from me!), and how they had found it was received by agents / publishers / general readers.

I find writing this way gives me more freedom to express what I want to say, and to convey more emotion / symbolism I suppose... I also enjoy reading books like this (esp. Salman Rushdie)and just wondered what thoughts others had on magic realism...

Michelle

I seem to veer that way quite a bit for my children's and teen fiction - it gives me an option of writing fantasy in a 'sideways' fashion. I like the interaction it allows between psychology and magic, and the ammount it leaves open to the reader's interpretation.

This is my favourite for both reading and writing - I see it as a frontier - lots of new ground, lots of potential.

Sorry to be so ignorant, but what is magic realism? I've heard of it, of course. Is it when you set magical events in an otherwise realistic setting?

Deb

Deb, yes that's exactly what I understand by 'magic realism': magical events in an otherwise realistic setting.

I have a wonderful book called The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, by Chris Van Allsburg - purporting to be a series of illustrations, and titles for 14 stories written by the mysterious Harris Burdick. The stories were never published (Mr Burdick disappeared after leaving the drawings with the editor).
They are simply magical, and if anything could inspire a writer to fill in the gaps by constructing their own tales around the pictures and titles, it is this book.

eg:

Missing In Venice:
Even with her mighty engines in reverse, the ocean liner was pulled further and further into the canal.

A Strange Day In July:
He threw with all his might, but the third stone came skipping back.

Or, my personal favorite,

The Seven Chairs:
The fifth one ended up in France - the illustration showing a seated nun sailing over the heads of two clergymen on her way out of the Cathedral.


- NaomiM

<Added>

- the clergymen seemingly quite unconcerned by this strange mode of transportation. :)

Thanks Michelle. Now I know...

Deb