Jane Alison, author of Meander, Spiral, Explode, on Writers on Writing, KUCI-FM
Two years ago, Jane Alison set out to redefine how writers might
think about structure in their work. Most novelists are trained on the
narrative arc (better known as Freytag’s Pyramid)—arguing that a story should begin
with an enticing incident, build to a climax, and fall into some form of
resolution. By examining patterns in nature, Alison argues there are many other
ways novelists can structure a story.
Meander, Spiral, Explode: Design and Patterns in Narrative provides eight examples, with plenty of supporting literary evidence.
She joins Marrie Stone to talk about how she’s used these methods in her own
work, what inspired her to seek out these structures, and how novelists can use
these techniques to their creative advantage. For further reading, check out Alison's book recommendation, Exercises in Style, by Raymond Queneau.
(Broadcast date: June 25, 2021)