May 12, 2015

Finding Forrester and asking the soup question

A few weeks ago I watched the movie Finding Forrester once again. It's a lovely movie about a man named William Forrester,an author who published one great novel then became a recluse living in New York, and Jamal Wallace, an unlikely teenage savant who becomes Forrester's friend.

Early in their relationship Forrester asks Jamal to stir his soup, so a skin won't form. Jamal asks him why this is needed and Forrester explains.

Moments later Jamal asks Forrester a question about his personal life. To which Forrester answers, "That is not a soup question."

So exactly what is a soup question? It's a question with an answer that will benefit the person asking. In the first instance, Jamal learns something about various ways to make soup. This is to his benefit. It increases his knowledge. But as to the second question, Forrester points out that knowing intimate details of his life is not a benefit to Jamal's.

As writers we know the importance of moving the story forward. Much as we would like to add interesting comments, side stories, silly anecdotes, and the like, editors, at least my editor, take a dim view of it. My editor is happy to cut paragraphs and whole pages that she feels don't move the story forward. And this can be hard for a writer, especially when you have an incredibly clever little bit of prose that you really feel needs to be shared.

And as a new writer, I was fairly intimidated by the editing process. I first had to get over the agonizing realization that my 'baby' might need some repair work done. After the initial hysteria, a strong drink, and my husband's gentle, but constructive "Do whatever the hell you want!', I realized that what I wanted was a better book. But because I was such a novice I just assumed that the editor knew best. This I had to rethink just a bit when my she deleted about one hundred or so words that "didn't move the story forward" without realizing that I had planted a clue in those very words.

Holy Redeemer School 1959
After time to digest so many things about editing and the whole writing process, I came to the conclusion that editors are not always right and that not everything has to move the plot forward. I think that adding another dimension is not only possible, but good for the story - as long as it's a 'soup question'!

So now when I'm writing I ask myself two questions. Does what I'm writing move the story forward and, if not, does it benefit the reader? With this in mind I'm free to add a day of useless sailing on the Chesapeake Bay because it sets the stage. I'm free to include silly mishaps that do nothing to move the plot forward, but do a lot to help the reader bond with the characters.

This all may sound elementary to a seasoned writer, but for a woman who was taught by some rather rigid nuns to follow strict rules at all times (rulers on knuckles, not an uncommon occurrence), it's a truly liberating idea. So for any writers out there who care to take advice from me, I would say have some fun, move that plot right along, but answer couple of decent soup questions along the way.

4 comments:

  1. This is so very true. I did like that movie a lot, as I do all writing related stories. We make time and forge ahead, even in spite of the odds against us, and this includes all phases of editing.There are times when the plot does not have to move at light speed. The reader needs a breather, POV shift or change of scenery from time to time. Funny, I have a writing blog and I've never covered this topic. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.


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  2. One of my all-time favorite movies and such sage advice. Thanks for taking your time to express such an important truth. It's so natural but quite counterproductive to answer questions that don't affect the hearer. The soup was just right. :)

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  3. Anonymous7/07/2022

    I agree very much with the soup question analogy. I am an aspiring writer. One thing I know, of myself, is that character development enriches the story. There isn’t enough when we see it scripted in the movies it seems nowadays. The excuse is usually about folks not wanting to sit through a long movie. I don’t believe this. I am one that has stood up after two hours and couldn’t believe it was over that soon, knowing there was so much more that could’ve been added. And those were great movies. If a great movie comes from a great book, let that movie run as long as it is necessary, even if it’s 3-4 hours. The visual is going to fine if done well. Of course a great book can never be completely outdone by the movie, when your internal silver screen is given a gem from true literary genius. I loved Finding Forrester.

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  4. Anonymous7/07/2022

    And, a book that is full of character detail, enough so I become boring to the point I am accused of, “going on and on”, when describing, then I know it’s worthy. Here’s why. Nothing is more compelling than writing to fulfill a psychological and philosophical profile of the character, meeting the wants of a reader. If done well, no explanation is ever needed. The book becomes an instant classic, especially when it hits a large audience with what they want. Anyway, there ya be. ;)

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