Daily Prompt

Magical Realism

E. Denise Billups

Magical Realism by Sophie Wilkins

It’s important for writers not only to write consistently, but also to read, and read a lot, especially in their genre of choice. I grew up reading many different genres, but none have fascinated me as much as Magical Realism which has inspired my writing greatly.

Magical Realism (Magic Realism, Fabulism) is a  genre encompassed not only in literature but art ( painting, film, theater, etc.) that incorporates fantastic or mythical elements (magic, supernatural) into otherwise realistic, mundane, real-world settings, which inspired me to write a summary of  a few favorite in the poem below.

 

I roam betwixt real and fantastical

a parallel world of natural and supernatural

Venturing high-tea and edible goodies with the vampire next door

Til blood thirsty eyes detect pulsation

Then I escape for a stroll with a riddling cat

And pause for a giggle beneath a tree living Baron

Annoyed, he shoos me toward a speeding horse 

Whisking lovers from a house redolent of chocolate 

And a lovesick Spaniard offering a lick

A savor of her enchanted, tear-engendering batter 

Achingly sated, I escape into a night raining flowers

 Seizing posies from a two-mooned heaven

In the distance, a girl with glass feet sparkles

Along a road paved with roses

It all seems impossible, fantastical, and magical

I hasten inside the mistress of spices who know what I seek

A portion of realism, a potion of truth, a brew to reality

Where magic exists for the curious only

In paintings and rows of spine-covered pages

 

Some of my favorites books in the Magical Realism genre are:

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura EsquivelLike Water for Chocolate

Chocolat by Joanne HarrisChocolat

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia MarquezOne Hundred Years of Solitude

Beloved by Toni MorrisonBeloved

The House of The Spirits by Isabel AllendeThe House of Spirits

The Mistress of Spices by  Chitra Banerjee DivakaruniThe Mistress of Spices

Winter’s Tale by Mark HelprinWinter's Tale

Along with a few, I’m reading this summer:

 

The Girl With Glass Feet by Ali ShawThe Girl With Glass Feet

The Girl Who Chased The Moon by Sarah Addison AllenThe Girl Who chased the moon

The Taste of Apple Seeds by Katharina HagenaThe Taste of Apple Seeds

 

Understanding your genre is critical to your writing success. So go out and read a book or two, or three that inspires your writing.

Happy reading!!!

 

Copyright 2017 by E. Denise Billups

Art: Courtesy of Sophie Wilkins

Published by E. Denise Billups

Multi-genre Author

32 thoughts on “Magical Realism”

      2. I will revisit and read. But be diligent and you will finish. The more you write the better you become. It’s daunting at times. I’m going through a bit of writer’s block at the moment. But I remember what a mentor said, just write, no matter how bad it is, you can always go back and edit 🙂 Good luck with your stories!!

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  2. I couldn’t agree more about reading extensively, especially in your chosen genre (if you’re a writer). As always, your poetry is lovely. I could never express my thoughts/feelings effectively through that medium. 🙂
    –Michael

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  5. You have reminded me of two books I have loved in the past. 100 Years of Solitude and The House of Spirits. This is an interesting genre and I have to admit I have not been reading it for years. Perhaps I shall go back and give it another look.

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  8. Magical realism one of my favorite genres. It’s no surprise that you list here some of my favorite works. I’d also add Borges’ books, especially his short stories collection, Labyrinths (which has had a profound influence on my shorts).

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    1. Hi Nicholas! Excuse my late response, I’ve been traveling the last couple of days. Thanks for mentioning Borges. I’m always looking for writers in the Magical Realism genre, and will check out his book of short stories ASAP. By the way, thanks for the great advice you provide to writers on your blog! 🙂

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