I was recently challenged to produce a framework for novel writing in which one would never feel constrained about characters and subject matter. One needs a world of one's own, where one has as much freedom as the characters need to play their parts. One must not be limited by technical details which demand too much research. There must be scope for cynical humour. There must be a theme, and an end objective. One must be able to write at least four sides of A4 a day or 2,000 words.
"How can he do it?" I hear you ask. (Go on. Ask, for heaven's sake!)
Well, here's how. The novel, or series of novels, concerns a man living in West London who finds and swallows some seeds from his garden. These were originally dropped by a bird that had flown from Kew Gardens. The effect of eating the seeds is to cause him to have a hallucinogenic experience of such intensity that he experiences physically his delusory states.
The hallucinations are derived from his own life and experiences. However, all his imagined experiences and the characters he encounters become extremely distorted. In his mind they have independent existences. They seek to influence him. Often, he seems to spend all his time attempting to defend himself from their malign influences. The only occasions when he can control his world is before or at the inception of a hallucinogenic bout.
Our hero, and the characters in his world, are perfectly aware that once he is "cured" in our terms, or runs out of seeds, then they will be destroyed. They have little or not control over their ultimate fate, although they attempt to avert it.
The thing starts with him finding the seeds and undertaking his first adventure. His first few episodes are interspersed with his normal life. Then, the hallucinatory experience takes over his life. His only link with reality is the replenishment of his supplies. When he needs more seeds it seems as though the characters expel him from their world so that he can fetch more.
I suppose I could write the first bit and one or two episodes. I'll think about it. I enclose the botanical and biographical background.
Yours,
13 Inglis Road
27 - 3 - 97
DESCRIPTION OF PLANT FOUND GROWING AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS
The plant was first labelled in 1929 as Rubusbaca sarnacus macdonnelli, after its discoverer, Colonel MacDonnell (a biographical note is attached).
The plant is native to the Aquario region of Upper Amazonia, Brazil, and is, as far as is known, located solely in that region. There, it grows in isolated bushes of up to 1.5 metres in height along the upper banks of tropical wet streams. It engages in continuous pollination and seed production. It produces the bright purple berries that give it its name.
The plant is normally avoided by both animals and plants. The only means of seed dispersal identified is that berries are transported by stream currents. There must be another way, since, if the seed were only carried downstream they would soon become extinct in their original habitat. It may be that this plant has considerable facility for adaptation.
Like much else about this rare plant, this matter is one of mystery and speculation. It is no known how the plant specimen came to take root at the above address. The best guess is that it was carried by an errant magpie from Kew, where such is bird is known to have gained access to the seed tray store five years ago. Clearly, the adaptive facility of the plant enabled it to gather a foothold.
Classification: EH7
On receipt of the original specimen at Kew Laboratories in 1929, this plant was classified as EH7 (Extreme Hazard. Unstable). This was a precautionary measure on the basis of Col. MacDonnell's record. This classification was confirmed in 1953 after experimental work at Porton Down resulted in its being withdrawn from the New Projects Development Programme as unreliable for synthesis.
Immediately after the present sample was detected, the premises were visited by the Extreme Hazards Unit of the Min: Ag & Food. All plants and soils adjacent to the extraneous specimen were also removed for incineration.
Biographical Note: Colonel A.C. MacDonnell Bart DSO
Alan MacDonnell was born into a military family on 18 November 1887. His father, General "Breakback" MacDonnell, was a keen disciplinarian and insisted his son prepare for an army career. He entered his son for St Paul's School, preparatory for entry to Sandhurst.
MacDonnell passed into the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, at nineteen years of age. In 1908 he was commissioned in the 1st Royal Warwickshire and, with his brother officer, Bernard Montgomery, was posted to the north-west frontier of India. He returned with his regiment in 1912.
In the First World War, he fought with distinction at the battles of the Marne, Aisne and Ypres, where he was wounded. He was awarded the DSO. His father died on 20 January 1919 and Colonel MacDonnell caused a sensation by resigning his commission the next day.
Through contacts in the Royal Geographical Society, MacDonnell established an organisation called the Naturae Group. The purpose of Naturae was to establish expeditions, secure their funding, operate them and exploit the rewards.
After leading several successful expeditions in Asia, notably in Sumatra, MacDonnell planned the ill-fated Rio Magdallena Expdition to Upper Amazonia on the borders of Brazil and Equador. From the outset, things went wrong. Base camps were attacked by criminals and natives and had to be abandoned. On the Rio Magdallena, the guides deserted, taking with them the expedition doctor, who was already dying of fever.
Using considerable leadership and diplomacy, Colonel MacDonnell managed to maintain a tenuous communication link with the outside world, using a simple notepad. Relying on this link, MacDonnell and one other, Captain Forrester, continued to press forward in their search for the fabled City of Gold.
The expedition finally failed when the reached the country of the Putamayo Indians. There remain only the following fragments of the notepad jottings. MacDonnell sent these downriver, where they were received by H.M. Consul at Manaos.
No. 109 16.8.29
Indians difficult to organise for expedition purposes. Appear to subsist on banjana fruit and purple berries. Are completely indolent unless disturbed, when they become frenzied. Am enclosing sample berries. Could be useful to develop mood swing controllers. Better than alcohol?
Present plan is that I move on to Pasto to get help. Forrester will stay here to recuperate from his fever. I will contact you direct from Pasto.
No. 112 20.9.29
Delayed because I must stay to assist Forrester's recovery. He takes the berries on a regular basis. They are strongly hallucinogenic. We call them "purple frenzy". Carvo, the tribal leader, persuaded me to try some berries from older plants. These allow calmer, controlled experiences. I have named this version "purple rapture". Carvo has explained that these names describe the experience accurately in Putamayan.
No. 117 Early Oct.
The purple frenzy is being collected now for the great feast. This will be shared with other Putamayan groups. Carvo has warned me to keep out of the way during the purple frenzy sessions since things can become violent. I will stay with a group of elders whose preference for purple rapture is generally respected.
Have sent Forrester upstream to Pasto. I could not trust him with the purple frenzy.
No. 128 Late Nov.
I am not sure I can trust Carvo any more. He no longer supplies my purple rapture. I have to fetch it. I think he is jealous of the wide range of experiences I can conjure up. He is constantly questioning me about them. And since they brought back Forrester's body, he is curious about the nature of the White Man's body.
LATE NOTE. Now I know they ate Forrester. One day soon I will leave here with a goodly supply of purple rapture and make my way out of here. Does not do to act in haste!
FILE FRAGMENT ENDS HERE
