The Craft of Storytelling

Finding our way through the attack on Jem and Scout reveals what I would call "tight writing." It all works. The clues fit together neatly and believably. Even though the clues all make sense on close study, the story is still surprising. Isn't it a shame that Mockingbird is Harper Lee's only book?

While the book is fresh on our minds, we'll look at Lee's writing style on
Wednesday and try our own hands at writing from her inspiration. We'll also look at great introductions and conclusions since her novel exemplifies both.

Some of you have asked about what inspired Harper Lee to write this novel. Reading this book made me curious to know who was the inspiration for her characters and what parts of the story had basis in fact. Being the daughter of an attorney, and her own study of law obviously had to have had a great influence. It is interesting that Truman Capote weaves Lee into one of his novels, Other Voices, Other Rooms, and that Lee weaves Capote into hers as the character of Dill. Click on her name to read more about her life and the creation of her masterpiece.