Owlaphrase: Verb derived from the word "paraphrase." A description of an event, person, or place which is strictly dependent on Owl's perceptual memory, which means that the overall themes and most actual facts are correct, but some of the details may be subject to debate by witnesses.
_______________________
I often write about people, places, and situations I have known. However, if the devil and God are both in the details, I will spend eternity in limbo. I have a lousy memory for specific dialogue or details - always have.
This was a problem when doing typical tests for English class - "match the quote to the author," "what year was this work published," "who wrote the ___________." Essay questions were less of a problem - they generally dealt in more abstract aspects of literature. I got by on short term memorization.
When I am telling a story, or writing one, it is as true as I remember it to be, but in fairness to anyone else who was participating in the event described, it's unlikely that it happened exactly as described, or that I've gotten even one quote completely correct. As a result, if my wife has heard one of my stories more than once, it has probably changed in one way or another.
In our house, we call my memory for events "Owlaphrasing" - it seems to be strictly driven by how I remember an event at any given time.
This is a handy trait for storytelling - dialogue and details always seem to fly to hand as I speak, just when I need them. It is a lousy trait for winning an argument - even when I'm pretty sure I'm right, I don't have a leg to stand on.
I compensate by recognizing that I may not be remembering an event the same way it would appear if, say, it was caught on tape. I also work very hard to be as sure as I can that no meaningful detail is wrong. I do not use it as an excuse to cover my ass, nor do I use it to cover my ass. (If I feel the need to cover my ass, I try to go straight to taking responsibility, making it right, and dealing with the repercussions. It's actually easier than covering my ass in the first place.)
This is precisely why the Isabelle Allende quote is in my profile - I can relate. So consider yourself warned. And if you ever meet me, Raven (my wife), the Giant (our son), yourself, or anyone else in something I write, please don't judge them on the basis on any one incident I've reported. There's always more to the story.
_______________________
In a sense, I suppose this could be a disclaimer, or a public service announcement. I think of it as more of a proviso. But the more I write, the more I worry that I might not be doing one person or another justice. In real life, in conversation, it's easy enough to counterbalance my frustration with, or my canonization of, another person with additional information. In writing, it's almost impossible to do without writing an entire book about the simple act of eating breakfast with the family.
I rather suspect that I'm not alone in this tendency, especially in writing. In fact, I more or less assume that is probably the case when reading or listening to anyone. But I'll just admit it, and put it out there.
So I offer this little post, to which I will probably link often. Those who know me well are already aware of my little problem with details. Most of them seem to love me in spite of it. When it works in their favor (which it usually does), they love me because of it.
It's a gift, and a curse. Please don't hate me because I Owlaphrase. I'm doing the best I can.
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
Brazen Princess
Land Poor
Punchnel's
Murder Of Crows
Marjorie Walker
Ramonas Voices
Salon.com
Comments
By the way, Isabel Allende is one of my favourite story tellers and narrators. I´m reading Zorro by her these days, although poor Ms. Allende has to compete with OS posts... why aren´t there days with 27 hours? Rated.
Mr. Mustard – well said! I love that description, and may use it in the future.
Mama Lou – I suspected as much, but you know, there is often that air of authority that people use :~).
Mamoore – The anxiety thing could explain a lot, actually – thanks for a plausible explanation! Good luck with the fact checking – it’s probably more trouble than it’s worth, though.
Marcela – One of the stories I’ve heard about Ms. Allende is that she worked as a journalist until she interviewed Pablo Nerudo (or another famous poet). He had read some of her work, and advised her that she (and the world) would be better served if she wrote fiction. Apparently when writing about her daughter’s death, Ms. Allende relied heavily on letters and journal entries, and was amazed at how those writings differed from her memory.
I think some of it is actually due to physical/hormonal/diet changes too, for women at least. My time of the month messes with my memory, and I was at a constant memory shortage the first year after both boys were born, and when I was preggers for that matter, and before I started supplimenting my diet with fish oils, and going through puberty too now that I think of it.... I guess that pretty much sums up most of my life - so maybe these are all just excuses!
YHeron – When I told Raven about this post, that was one of the lines that made her laugh out loud – she is possessed of an admirable memory, and we both know it. I suspect there are a lot of contributing factors to how and why we remember the way we do. My usual excuse anymore has been “artistic liscence!”
"I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Great post
There's a simple rule to joining the perfect club though: "However I remember it is the truth." This rule also allows you to join the Republican party - and you never hear them admit any wrongdoing, thus proving they do no wrong.