Parallelism

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Ugh, I said I was going to try a writing craft move on Sundays and here we are on a Tuesday. Better late than never?

I was struggling to get motivated to write today and when I saw the date, the 11th, I thought maybe I could write about some parallel ideas. But then I had none. But then I remembered one of Roy Clark’s essential writing tools is about parallelism: establish a pattern, then give it a twist. And then I remembered I was going to use his tools to confront my Sunday scaries. So here we go.

“Flight attendants, prepare for landing,” the muffled voice announces.

I look up from my book and out the window. In the squoval frame, I see snow-capped mountains, like sentinels protecting the valley below. I love it here, I think, and look down to read another few words. I look up again. In the squoval frame, I see LEGO-sized skycrapers in the distance, like chess pieces trapped in a never-moving game. I love it here, I think, and read another few words. I look up again. In the squoval frame, I see the sun-speckled water, like a shimmering blanket being pulled onto the shore. I’m happy to be home, I think, and close my book.



7 responses to “Parallelism”

  1. Lainie Levin Avatar
    Lainie Levin

    I love what you did with this craft move, Vivian. At first my eyes paused on “squoval,” and then I realized – yes. That’s exactly what it is: a perfectly-created piece of imagery.

    I also love the idea of different images fleeting in front of you as you bring yourself in and out of reality (which one is reality? which the imagination?), and you bring us along for the ride.

    Well-done, you!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Glenda Funk Avatar

    Vivian,

    I see what you did here. I love teaching at the sentence level but realize even paragraphs can be parallel. I know teachers teach parallel structure, but I’d love to see more syntax instruction because I think it aides reading comprehension and makes writing more fun. As a rhetoric teacher, I know parallel structure, as well as its absence, offers clues about what a writer considers important, and it aides memory when listening to speeches (my thing). I ditto Laine’s comment about “squoval.” I found this post very satisfying as a reader and as a listener to language. Bravo!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. nancyrsantucci Avatar

    Beautiful descriptions and imagery. You did it! Thanks also for teaching me the word squoval. Its repetition was effective. Favorites: “like chess pieces trapped in a never-moving game” and “sun-speckled water, like a shimmering blanket being pulled onto the shore.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Darin Johnston Avatar

    First, I love it when the vocabulary challenges me. The word “squoval” got me, so I google “squoval frames” and got classes. Well, that’s no good. So I just looked up squoval and found it meant rectangular. Ah, the window!

    I have always love the imagery you paint in your writing, and this slice is no exception! I feel like I’m looking out the window with you!

    Thank you for sharing with us!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. arjeha Avatar

    Great piece. I love the changing scene. Every time you look, something new to see. You nailed this.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Leigh Anne Eck Avatar
    Leigh Anne Eck

    Wow! Great craft move. and beautiful descriptions! another plus is that I was introduced to a new word: squoval.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Ana Valentina Patton Avatar

    Wow, Vivian!

    I truly love this idea of picking a craft move to write a slice. My eyes sparked when I read Roy Clark! And for a moment, I double-checked, “She must mean Roy Peter Clark.”

    I tend to use his full name when I mention his work, hearing his voice in my head after listening to his books on audible several times!

    You inspired me tonight, thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

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