What we see in the dark
Was there ever an oxymoron (or any phrase) so perfect as ‘magic realism’?
It captures not just what’s special about the art and literary genre itself – balancing what’s fundamentally our world with what fundamentally isn’t – but what creativity is.
When our writing is emotionally truthful, it’s not because we’ve stepped out of our bodies and plonked an objective truth down for all the world to agree about. We’ve done something far more vulnerable, far more human.
We’ve taken the time, accepted the commitment, of blending colours from our unique memory and unique imagination to create shades that are even more unique; that speak of our view of our world and our questions about our place in it.
We’ve shone a light on what would otherwise be dark: the thoughts, feelings, questions, hopes and fears we contain. And, by doing so, we’ve created a new reality: a port between ourselves and strangers, where come out again feeling less alone on their own paths.
Fictional characters may not be ‘real’ – but the light they shine does something that absolutely is.
Even when our story is set firmly in our literal real world – in our past, for memoir and autobiography, for example – the essence of magic realism is still key to writing truthfully. In writing our stories – whether thecontent is fiction or memoir, the style poetry or prose – we’re telling our version. What’s important to us, what’s magical to us. Which might have been unmagical and uninteresting and missed entirely by someone standing next to us at the time. That’s the point of reading and of writing: not objective truth, but subjective reality. Not definitive answers, but honest questions. Seeing each other in the dark. It is absolutely magic, and it is absolutely real.
Come and Write This Week
(If you’re not in the UK, find your timezone here.)
Writers’ Gym Mini-Episodes: Every Monday, Every Podcast Platform
Between series, we’re sharing weekly mini-episodes on writing and creative confidence building. Find us wherever you get your podcasts. Click here.
The Writing Room | 11am-1pm Monday 14 April
Free for everyone on my mailing list (if you’re reading this, that’s you!). No expectations, no readings, just an open chat box and ten minutes’ (totally optional) chat together at the end. Click here.
Fiction and Memoir Writing | Riverside Studios 7-8.30pm Monday 14 April
All the inspiration, support and techniques you need to weave initial ideas into fully realised stories. Dr Rachel's prose-writing sessions are suitable for anyone over the age of 18. Whether you’re working on a story, novel or non-fiction, want some creative inspiration, or whether you're intrigued by the idea of writing and want a creative outlet, this is the place to discover and develop your ideas and your voice. Click here.
Coffee & Creativity | 1-2.30pm Wednesday 16 April
Hosted by Writers’ Gym staff member, Bella Barbieri. Quality writing time and excellent company! Grab a coffee and have a mid-week chat, a write and then another chat with your fellow creatives. Free for members: type your discount code where indicated. Click here.
Writing Room EXTRA | 3-5pm Thursday 17 April
Members only: please check Voxer messages.
Writing Workout and Feedback Workshop | 6-7.30pm Tuesday 22 April
Adding to our programme of regular workouts at the Writers' Gym, this friendly group workshop is the perfect place to hone your writing – and how to get the best out of feedback. Click here.
Writing Magic Realism | 1pm-2.30pm Tuesday 6 May
From literary and genre fiction to poetry, film and TV, magic realism expresses a deeper truth to the everyday. It lets our themes and emotions take physical form, and allows the worlds we live in within our own minds to become real places in the worlds we create. Click here.
The Writers’ Gym is part of Rachel Knightley Coaching: creative confidence for life, work and art. www.rachelknightley.com
You don’t have to be a member to join a Writers’ Gym session: visit here. But if you’d like to access our weekly programme for free, and receive 30% off all our other events, ask about membership at thewritersgym@rachelknightley.com