Writing the everyday

Modernist contemporary writing balances a combination of the everyday (the mundane), minute details and the transcendental. Once you begin to notice this you will see it everywhere.

The thing about writing the everyday is that is allows the writer to contrast. It is through the contrast between the mundane and the extraordinary that the magic happens.

Let's have a closer look at what it is.

•   The mundane, seemingly boring

•   Example: a description of a person getting out of bed in the morning with a gunshot wound – an

interesting story arises out of a mundane situation

•   Signified by authentic, real life that may appear to be dull or boring, but on closer look can be

quite fascinating

An example

Below is a short scene between a mother and daughter. They are in an everyday situation like having a cup of tea in the kitchen. As you read the following scene think about a scene you could write where two people are engaging in conversation over a cup of tea or a similar ritual that brings them together.

My mother gestured with a nod of her head to sit down as she threw the linen tablecloth over the laminated table. It slipped over the shiny surface. Turning to the cast iron stove she lifted the kettle and moved it to one side. With the flick of her wrist a match flamed its yellow light and she held it over the stovetop while she adjusted the nozzle. I watched the burner catch its flame and glimmer. When the flame grew as high as it could she placed the kettle over it. She removed china for tea making from the cupboard and strategically placed them on the table as if ready for a battle. Her hands glided with such precision, an expert in the ritual of tea making.

She turned to me, ‘So Harry didn’t come home last night.’

I said nothing, but shook my head slightly, then added, ‘Went to band practice.’

‘Still playing in that band, is he?’

‘Yep. He’s taken to practicing drums in the garage. Wakes up Daisy.’ My mother shook her head and fiddled with the kettle, checking if the water had boiled yet. Satisfied she lifted it up and moved it over to the teapot on the table. She poured the water, concentrating in a distracting manner as the water bounced out the top.

‘Damn it,’ she spat.

I stood up to help her, handing her a cloth from the handle of the oven to mop up the water creating cloud-like blobs on the linen.

‘When is that man ever going to learn?’

She looked me in the eye. I sensed that it was more of a warning about me than a comment about Harry.

‘Do you want to move back in here?’

I leaned my elbow on the table and rested the side of my face on my fingertips. I stared at the pink  floral pattern on the teapot. ‘I think it’s my only option.’

‘Thought so,’ she said as she poured the tea, tusk tusking.

Exercise

a    Imagine two characters where there is tension between the two of them. Place them in an everyday setting, which involves some sort of ritual like tea making associated with having a conversation. Describe this scene using the everyday and dialogue. Use either first person narrative like the example above or third person narrative.

Before you write your piece, brainstorm the following:

Who are the two characters?

Why are they in conflict?

Describe the detail associated with the ritual.

What are they talking about?

Are there any other details?