The Writing Circle: The Circle

[Melissa_W Moderator]

I think "nabbed" is used in what's a catchy, "aw-shucks" way of deflecting the praise that comes with a MacArthur; seems like false humility to me.  One of the docs I work with recieved a MacArthur - they are very highly coveted!

Sunltcloud wrote:

Thanks Rachel for clearing that up. I was confused by the word "nabbed," which made it sound as if he had stolen the award, leading me to believe that he hadn't earned it.

Rachel-K wrote:

Thanks for our lovely study guide to the characters, Sunltcloud! 

I think Dick Smollet was awarded a MacArthur "genius" award, which is a prize of something like a half million dollars and probably worth more than that in chest-puffing. 

[Sunltcloud]

Melissa, thank you for the explanation.

Melissa_W wrote:

I think "nabbed" is used in what's a catchy, "aw-shucks" way of deflecting the praise that comes with a MacArthur; seems like false humility to me.  One of the docs I work with recieved a MacArthur - they are very highly coveted!

Sunltcloud wrote:

Thanks Rachel for clearing that up. I was confused by the word "nabbed," which made it sound as if he had stolen the award, leading me to believe that he hadn't earned it.

Rachel-K wrote:

Thanks for our lovely study guide to the characters, Sunltcloud! 

I think Dick Smollet was awarded a MacArthur "genius" award, which is a prize of something like a half million dollars and probably worth more than that in chest-puffing. 

[Vermontcozy]

kpatton wrote:

I am going to post in a general way to this question and come back with more specifics later.

My sense of how this group formed is that it was started by a few that knew one another such as Bernard, Virginia, Gillian and Helen.  These members then invited other writers that they wanted to mentor into the group.

There are definitely dominating members, Bernard and Gillian for sure.  Seems like the rules are that you have to be voted in and then you only get to present your writing when the group determines that you are worthy.  I am thinking that the more senior members of the group- Bernard, Virginia and Gillian get to share they materials all of the time.  It also looks like you always say positive things about their writing but it would be ok for them to make more critical responses about the other's writings.

Kathy

Kathy , It does seem that way,and I think this is the way it will be,until it all unravels..I am only projecting what  might occur,I have not read any further than Chris's chapter..Susan

[nfam]

I have to agree with this post. The  characters, so far are rather boring. This isn't helped by the writing style. One dictum of fiction that seems to have passed this author by is "Show don't tell."

We are constantly being given long stretches of background information on the characters that only server to illustrate how boring they are. Perhaps if we had more interaction instead of so much biography the characters would begin to come alive. 

Personally, I like seeing characters and drawing my own conclusions from their actions. I don't like so much author intrusion. I keep hoping this book will pick up. The concept is interesting and the prologue promises actions, but so far it's pretty dull stuff. I hate being negative. Authors work hard on their books and want to please readers, but I can't like this book so far. 

[donna128]

I agree that Nancy's response seemed a little unrealistic.  I would not be happy if someone I considered a friend put in that position with out any warning.

[donna128]

I have to agree that Paul (so far) is also my favorite character. 

I am having trouble relating to the other characters.  I feel like the story is written in the narrative form - which is making it hard for me to relate the each character.  I would have preferred to hear from each character in their own voice and maybe get a little more insite into their own thoughts.

[Vermontcozy]

pen21 wrote:

Vermontcozy wrote:

maxcat wrote:

I agree, Susan.We can't really make comments on the writers as there is not enough info to agree with them or not. I still do not like Gillian as she seems full of herself and must have high esteem for her personality. I guess there is always one in every walk of life.

Thank you Maxcat that was nice of you to comment..I can and probably will relate to in some way to each Character..We are all not one dimensional people,and its refreshing that Corinne can elicit such passion from us in such a short frame of time...Its very contemporary,yet these relationships which happen in everyday life are ageless..Why is everyone so harsh when speaking about Gillian? She does what she does,and if men chose not to parcipitae then fine,but if they do..its just who she is,or just is showing that side to her at this point..

I agree that this first section has elicited a lot of passions about the characters in the writing circle. When I think of that, I can see how Corinne has involved us with the characters so quickly. As far as Gillian, I think we will find out more about her. It is still early in the book. The author is just giving us the information she wants us to know at this point of the novel. The next section will give us more detail in each of their lives.

pen21

When I think of groups,friends,co-workers etc..we never know the whole story,holding back something,always..In TWC,I would not expect Corinne to give us any more than she has..Our imagination is stretched,and for me it always a mystery about others..I do always look for complex characters in some YA novels,which are written so well,its our imagination that keeps us reading.Well,its mine anyway...I live in more of a Grey area,then blk and wht..That would bore me...

[nikijulian]

darthlaurie wrote:

 So...are they really close-knit or are they just exclusive?

I think this is a really good point. I have been a part of "crafting" circles, but our interactions always have a more personal bend to them. It seems that there are some people who are connected based on relationships outside of the group, but otherwise their relationships are based solely on their writing. But, as with every group, there are group politics.

I see their relationships almost as work relationships. They put up with the others because they are good writers and not really because they have a personal interest in the other people.

[txbookaddict]

I have just finished the book, and Paul was by far my favorite character throughout.  The members of the circle were all, to some extent, narcissistic.  While somed had relationships with other members outside the circle, they were dysfunctional and superficial.  Nancy and Virginia were sympathetic, and felt they drew me into their emotional turmoil.  Adam seemed to be the odd member, least matched with the others; ambitious, but aimless.  He was almost desperate in his need for approval, particularly from Gillian.  Bernard is so focused on himself that, even in the beginning, he doesn't consider how his actions affect others.  His own children seem to be "props" for his life.  Gillian is the least likable; a classic narcissist who honestly believes she can rearrange events through her writing.  We learn of an event from her youth, but it is a case of too little, too late to invoke much sympathy for her.

It would have been interesting to hear the characters speak in their own voice, but I felt the narrator revealed their personalities enough to grab my interest.  I found the deeper into the book I read, the more I was enjoying it.  The characters may be formulaic, but they stirred my emotions, and kept me on the hook.  Glad I had the opportunity to read and comment on this one! 

[NikiGunn]

I hate to say it, but I agree with nfam. The characters are kind of dull. I'm not terribly interested in any of them. I've read to the end of the second discussion point because I was afraid if I stopped I wouldn't want to pick it up again, but then I decided not to get too far ahead.

It made me think of something on one of the commentaries on the movie Dead Again. There was a lamp on in the rain in a rooftop scene. Someone was concerned about the lamp but another person said that if the scene was working, no one would notice it. I'm noticing the lamp in the book, so to speak. However, I hope that it comes together at the end, like another movie I saw. To Die For was kind of slow and boring but the ending changed the perspective on everything. I'm sorry to keep referencing movies, but both came to mind when I wanted to explain my thoughts about the book and characters so far.

[elaine_hf]

Just a few additional thoughts here - 

I get the feeling that Nancy is a very positive influence in this group. She seems to add a constructive element to the group, instead of what seems like nonconstructive criticism coming from the others. I like that she tries to see both the positive and the negative in others' writing. I'm not a writer, but the thought of writing something and then opening myself to others for their critique seems a bit terrifying.

Gillian feels to me to serve the sole purpose of disruption. A bit of 'schadenfreude' perhaps - exulting in another's misery? Or just an attempt to boost her own ego by trampling on others? 

[DPHampton]

Unfortunately I finished the entire book and now i realize my attitudes towards the members of the Leopardis group is now skewed. Their characters are more thoroughly explained throughout the book and to those who don't like the characters I respond to keep reading and you will learn to appreciate all of them. The more strongly I feel about a character (whether it be dislike, sympathy or admiration) the greater the story becomes and this one progresses slowly but magnificantly.

Without knowing Chris' history, I was quite skeptical and critical of his invitation to Nancy for lunch. I didn't understand his motivation at that time at all.

Again, in hind sight, I do see how the characters are reflected in the work they do as a writer with Gillian as the only exception. I would never expect anyone who is so self centered, ignorant and cruel to be a successful and published poet.

[JuneC]

Whew!  Glad some one can keep this all straight.

This is the first time I'm reading on a nook and I'm frustrated that I can not easily turn back the pages to remind myself of the characters and their connections.

This is an interesting group though.  I'm not so sure they really care about each other's literary opinions.  I'm pretty sure they don't necessarily like each other.  So why do they come together at all?  What need do they satisfy for each other? 

[violetangel]

I definitely have trouble seeing how or why this group came together - and more specifically why they stay together.

Ironically, I'm also reading another book about a group of authors (The Accidental Bestseller), and those women genuinely care about each other.  100 pages in, one is in a crisis and the others had a conference call when they could not reach her, then one went to the place they figured the one in crisis was.  I can't see anyone in this group doing the same thing for anyone.

JuneC wrote:

Whew!  Glad some one can keep this all straight.

This is the first time I'm reading on a nook and I'm frustrated that I can not easily turn back the pages to remind myself of the characters and their connections.

This is an interesting group though.  I'm not so sure they really care about each other's literary opinions.  I'm pretty sure they don't necessarily like each other.  So why do they come together at all?  What need do they satisfy for each other? 

[thewanderingjew]

That is what makes horse racing. I am reading Midnight's Children and Tinkers, concurrently. Both reveal the memories of a father in the son's imagination. The books are totally different but are distinctly beautiful because of the language used. It is amazing to read and visualize the words in my own imagination.

violetangel wrote:

I definitely have trouble seeing how or why this group came together - and more specifically why they stay together.

Ironically, I'm also reading another book about a group of authors (The Accidental Bestseller), and those women genuinely care about each other.  100 pages in, one is in a crisis and the others had a conference call when they could not reach her, then one went to the place they figured the one in crisis was.  I can't see anyone in this group doing the same thing for anyone.

JuneC wrote:

Whew!  Glad some one can keep this all straight.

This is the first time I'm reading on a nook and I'm frustrated that I can not easily turn back the pages to remind myself of the characters and their connections.

This is an interesting group though.  I'm not so sure they really care about each other's literary opinions.  I'm pretty sure they don't necessarily like each other.  So why do they come together at all?  What need do they satisfy for each other? 

[BethAnnH]

I rather enjoyed meeting Nancy's  mother Deirdre, and I also liked Deirdre's take on Gillian,  " I'd keep my eye on the person we were talking about, she whispered to Nancy. She's smart and she's sly". 

Some else that feels the same way I do about Gillian.

[CharminKB]

Hello to all!!  I am so happy to be part of this first ever ebook discussion:-)

I think each member is very unique and brings a different set of eyes to the "Circle".  Virginia seems like the mother hen, Adam the young one, Bernard the melodramatic one, Chris the arrogant one, Gillian a total self centered b**ch, and Nancy the young innocent one.  But for some reason, their different styles of writing and their approaches to writing seems to make them a very pleasant group of people.  Almost as if each member knows their role, so none are fighting for the spot light.

We find out that many of the members (which says a lot b/c there are so few!) have had intimate relationships - Virginia and Bernard being married - and seems like everyone has had their go with Gillian or has wanted to at some time!

I'm not sure about Chris - - I first thought he invited her to see if she were single or interested, but then considered that he may be feeling out his competition since they are both fiction writers.  He doesn't seem to be malicious though.

[Vermontcozy]

BethAnnH wrote:

I rather enjoyed meeting Nancy's  mother Deirdre, and I also liked Deirdre's take on Gillian,  " I'd keep my eye on the person we were talking about, she whispered to Nancy. She's smart and she's sly". 

Some else that feels the same way I do about Gillian.

Hi BethAnnH,I enjoyed Deirdre and her take on Gillian.was correct .I do feel sorry though for Gillian.Such insecurities,and her childhood was not as one might expect..She really has no idea about real intimacy...She just does what she does because she can,totally removed....Its just sex,not love for her.,and control...Which she never had as a child......SusanVtc

[thewanderingjew]

I have a feeling that this book needs to be reread so that the characters can be more fully understood. The second time around, it might be a different book!

There are so many characters and facts that I realize I have not remembered all of them. You made some very interesting comments V.

Vermontcozy wrote:

BethAnnH wrote:

I rather enjoyed meeting Nancy's  mother Deirdre, and I also liked Deirdre's take on Gillian,  " I'd keep my eye on the person we were talking about, she whispered to Nancy. She's smart and she's sly". 

Some else that feels the same way I do about Gillian.

Hi BethAnnH,I enjoyed Deirdre and her take on Gillian.was correct .I do feel sorry though for Gillian.Such insecurities,and her childhood was not as one might expect..She really has no idea about real intimacy...She just does what she does because she can,totally removed....Its just sex,not love for her.,and control...Which she never had as a child......SusanVtc

[Vermontcozy]

thewanderingjew wrote:

I have a feeling that this book needs to be reread so that the characters can be more fully understood. The second time around, it might be a different book!

There are so many characters and facts that I realize I have not remembered all of them. You made some very interesting comments V.

Vermontcozy wrote:

BethAnnH wrote:

I rather enjoyed meeting Nancy's  mother Deirdre, and I also liked Deirdre's take on Gillian,  " I'd keep my eye on the person we were talking about, she whispered to Nancy. She's smart and she's sly". 

Some else that feels the same way I do about Gillian.

Hi BethAnnH,I enjoyed Deirdre and her take on Gillian.was correct .I do feel sorry though for Gillian.Such insecurities,and her childhood was not as one might expect..She really has no idea about real intimacy...She just does what she does because she can,totally removed....Its just sex,not love for her.,and control...Which she never had as a child......SusanVtc

I just wanted to comment and decided to put it here.I would be distracted in this group.First ,because when men and women are brought together in such a setting,and if there are any attractions to one one another,or affairs have taken place,then its not  a fair assumption that all that is critiqued,is on the up and up..too many agendas..and Trust.issues..Their Group is very unbalanced..and that is my focus today....BethAnn and TWJ..Thanks for your comments..And just to add .The secondary characters are probably going to surprise us..