Monday, February 16, 2009

lets begin at the end...

Zarreen is experiencing a shift in consciousness. I can see it happening for her. But there’s two ways this can go. And I have written two ways in which the book can end. Both choices are part of her reflections; or rather they flow from it. Both will turn out okay. They won’t be dead end. Just that they will be. And that they will signal a kind of finality with future prospects.

And still, I have this nagging feeling in the back of my head, that there’s another way of doing this. A way that I must discover for myself. A midway almost, but not.

Zarreen must have these choices and so must the reader. I want to leave these choices to both parties, and not be the one to make it for them. Zarreen must be willing to make that decision; it’s what regaining her sense of self and her essential autonomy is all about. And for the reader who has journeyed with her, I want to honour the same respect for that kind of choice. That level of engagement. And not to take it as my own, my right as the artist of these scenes; I am just the one documenting and giving form to these reflections, these choices, these bits of life that no doubt, every one of us do and will encounter along the path that we tread.

So there’s one thing that I am sure of… It’s not only my choice to make.

11 comments:

Nooj said...

a positive spin on being indecisive :P
just jokes. readers love feeling empowered

Anonymous said...

I love how this is developing for you!

Ire said...

Hello!

I am not much of a writer like you but I guess put down your ideas for now and go back to them a couple of days later? Maybe you will make a away into a different conclusion?

TC

Shafinaaz Hassim said...

lady nOoj :) yea yea... it is :P

thnx gg!

nikki ur absolutely right! sometimes when ur writing for a long time and working at something a while.. you tend to get so wrapped up in it that you dnt see the wood for the trees :P

breaks are good! time out means getting refreshed perspective. its so tru! but this one's going to nag at me... this one is just waiting to happen, i can feel it! ;)

Az said...

I'm not good at the creative process...in fact I'm pathetic when it comes to creating anything.

But I'm excellent at fixing things that have already been created, and improving on them.

And for this reason I'm afraid I'd be a pathetic novelist, but a great editor :P

Shafinaaz Hassim said...

aah... does that mean i have myself a proofreader/editor? :P

Az said...

Yeah you'll always have a proofreader/editor...
Just one tiny problem...with your wit and talents, I'll probably think everything you write is perfect :D

Shafinaaz Hassim said...

If you didn't have these hectic MBA lectures and stuff I might actually hog and hound you! But will send to you; your opinion is highly valuable as an avid reader... lets see if you pass the test or wot :P

*insert evil laugh here*

Anonymous said...

oooooooooooooooohhh love the scent that comes from the pot!!!
stir well :D

Az said...

Send you stuff Miss Shafs (hey that rhymes :P)

It may take longer than expected for me to get back to you though...

But I'll definitely offer my opinion...I like doing that :D

Shafinaaz Hassim said...

seher: is it yum as in edible or the making of something potent :P

azra: :D