Writing Lessons from Ron Carlson

Writing Lessons from Ron Carlson

I’ve never read anything by Ron Carlson that I didn’t enjoy. I began with his short stories and later read two novels, “Return to Oakpine” and “The Signal.” Later I read “Ron Carlson Writes a Story,” an open-minded tutorial for authors of short fiction. How wonderful when a much-loved writer puts out a helping hand.

Ron Carlson Writes a Story–“The Governor’s Ball“

In “Ron Carlson Writes a Story,” the author deconstructs for the reader (and fellow writing hopeful) how he writes and edits one of his most famous stories “The Governor’s Ball.” Carlson reassures us that allowing the story to advance in a surprising direction indicates that things are going well. Rather than be prescriptive, he intersperses advice and insights between sections of “The Governor’s Ball” and uses his experience as a loose guide for the reader.

I recently returned to Carlson because I was writing about nature as a reflection of the inner life, and no one does that better than he does. While I come from a different place than Carlson (he has so many quiet men as main characters—something I am not—living or working in rural areas—places I am not), I feel connected and engaged by his characters’ lives and troubles. To  again immerse myself in a Carlson’s natural world, I chose “Five Skies,” set in remote southern Idaho.

Writing Lessons in Five Skies

“Five Skies” is the story of two mature men, who have experienced deep loss, and a teen, on the verge of becoming a man. They are working together to build a staging area for an Evel Knievel-type motorcycle jump across a gorge. Arthur Keys is running from a betrayal and his ensuing guilt. Darwin Gallegos has fueled his grief with rage and seems to have lost faith in people and in God. Ronnie Panelli is a shiftless youth, trying to turn his life around through connections and meaningful work.

The three men are isolated as they work and cook over a camp stove, living in a tent. The spectacle of nature mirrors the depth and beauty of their journey. The book cover blurb compares Carlson’s writing to Hemingway, and that’s partly true, though only in the earliest Hemingway, such as the Nick stories. I’m afraid such a description might be a turn off to many readers, particularly female, who loath Hemingway’s macho men—and the grace under pressure which is only available to them. However, Carlson’s men are more realistic. “Five Skies” (published in 2007) is in the company of the best stories of people wandering out into a desert (physical, mental, spiritual, or a combination) to seek a renewed spirit and redemption.

Carlson’s Writing Style

While critics compare the writing here to Hemingway, much of it is more fluid in keeping with the connections of the men to the environment. So there are short, staccato sentences. A few that did remind me of Hemingway: “He didn’t like having his boots on without socks. He would get some clean socks and get properly dressed and put the coffee on. It was early, but he would start the coffee.” Out of context, that’s a little description to poke fun at.

Yet, contrast this to the novel’s opening sentence: “It was a cold May in all of Idaho, and as the month began there were only a few short stacks of lumber and construction gear on the plateau above the remote river gorge, along with all the game trails and the manifold signs of rabbits who were native to the place and who now move cautiously around the three men sleeping on the ground.”

Carlson Captures the Natural World

For writers, Carlson’s ability to capture the environment is a continual lesson. “They had woken to the sky a perfect trick, a magnified color well beyond cobalt. Tangible and tender, the air and the earth after the rain seemed minted, some rare promise in the leverage of the early sunshine. Rags of mist stood twisting in the atmosphere.”

Or: “The soil was oddly like snow, packed but loose, blown in a speckled sheet for years without end, and each footstep made a three-inch-deep boot impression. They had to lift their feet, walking awkwardly in the bright windy day as rabbits were released in every direction, but it felt good to walk after the hot truck.” The description of the soil reminded me of my backpacking days, when I had left just such boot prints. But there is also the use of the verb “released” which is so perfect to describe the scattering of the rabbits, pulling together the larger landscape.

A Lonesome Project with a Satisfying Conclusion

I don’t mean to suggest that the entire novel is just lovely description of the environment. These characters are working hard and find themselves in some surprising trouble more than once—and manage to get through it without seeking the violence I was expecting. Nevertheless, trouble does find them out on their lonesome project, bringing the book to a sad and satisfying conclusion. And that is the beauty of Ron Carlson–everything works. Apprentice yourself.

Note: An authors I know saw this and pointed out that Carlson has been credibly accused of sexual misconduct. 

https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-irvine-resignation-20180828-story.html

Experts in the Field

Other Writers to Read

A few other contemporary writers you should look at for writing inspirations are Sigrid Nunez and Kazuo Ishiguro.

Ron Carlson’s book offers a ‘helping hand’ for writers