Meander, Spiral, Explode: Design and Pattern in Narrative

Meander, Spiral, Explode from creative writing professor and author Jane Alison provides ideas for alternative narrative forms. Its goal is to offer new design and pattern in the narrative. Some of these already exist with her providing a museum of specimens. One will find new approaches which challenge the Narrative Arc which clearly has a beginning, drama and action, and a resolution. The arc leaves the reader waiting for an outcome and resolution with the story building and then finished. This is a widely used traditional approach, one which the reader is used to. Here though one will find many other structures.

Alison shows how other authors have used alternatives to the narrative arc, with reading experiences that don’t offer as tightly closed up endings. Rather than just resolution, there can be fragmentation, explosions, spiraling, and unresolved meanderings. One will find many very literary writers in this, the kind that belongs in the modern literature sections mostly. Interesting choices for authors included, and not all of which are very famous. There is also commentary about narrative art that goes back all the way to Aristotle. The references to and excerpts in this book do not always provide easy examples. This book though will help writers think about their craft, the books they read and review, and their narrative structural goals. Not a big focus here about Postmodernists who likely would appreciate some of these experimental optional forms.