While looking up the literary term "Anaphora" (to get the correct spelling, since I'd accidentally run across it earlier), I ran across another I was unfamiliar with. Anyone know what "Ekphrasis" is? I'm guessing you don't, but I won't spoil your surprise when you look it up. It's a surprisingly apt term, one I'm sure many of us here at SOL have used on occasion, especially when describing a naked women to the classical painting.
Aside from its Ancient Greek origins (once upon a time, you couldn't call yourself 'educated' without continually referring to the ancient Greeks), it's very simple. It's one art form trying to describe another art form to try to explain the attraction of something those viewing the work cannot appreciate for themselves.
I haven't done this a lot, but in a couple of stories, I've included an artistic tertiary character, and to help readers get a feel for the character, I describe their artwork, describing the style, how it fits into a particular art movement and how the artist's style fits into her lifestyle and personality. It's a bit of work, but it gives readers a better appreciation of who the character is by giving them a peek into their heads, so they can see how they view the work and thinks of things.
Of course, if you're trying to describe things you don't quite understand, it can go horribly wrong, very quickly.
Of course, if you're trying to describe things you don't quite understand, it can go horribly wrong, very quickly.
Oh God, YES! Personal experience proclaims the Vaster Truth or this sentence!
Of course, if you're trying to describe things you don't quite understand, it can go horribly wrong, very quickly.
Unless you are Alan Sokal, in which case they may go horribly right.
Unless you are Alan Sokal, in which case they may go horribly right.
For many of us, 'horribly wrong' is the best solution (for us, at least). Disaster is always a wonderful introduction to any story, and the eventual resolution is always appreciated. The key for the author, is getting from the starting point to the end without losing the reader.
