Our run-on pages capture the way our minds work—the rush of emotions, the unbroken stream of thoughts. As we strive to keep our readers hooked with a writing that flows smoothly from one thought to the next, we also take care not to bore them. We hope that the reader will be right there in the immediacy of our lived experiences. Our rhythm has to be just right, the page alive without dragging it out.
Stream of Consciousness in Run-on Pages
The ultimate run-on page might highlight a stream-of-consciousness style of disclosure. Modernist authors like Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and Marcel Proust mastered this technique, exploring the depths of memory and identity. A stream-of-consciousness page mirrors the fluidity of thought, seamlessly weaving together the narrator’s inner and outer worlds. While thoughts may jump around, enough contextual clues are provided to ground the reader in a specific time and place.
Avoiding Reader Fatigue
Long, run-on pages, like memories are unfiltered and raw. If we’re not careful, we can lose the reader. We need pauses even when we’re writing in a stream of consciousness mode. Ellipses (…), paragraph breaks, or even just a change in tone will give the reader a chance to breathe and think. Just because our page runs on doesn’t mean it should be confusing. Every sentence should add something to the story and keep the reader grounded. A sudden change in setting, mood, or even the way we’re writing can boost the page’s energy. These little contrasts are like punctuation marks, giving the reader a fresh perspective.
How to Sustain a Run-On Page
On the run-on page, we should not merely list what happened. We can attempt to weave different themes together, to let the readers connect the dots between then and now. For example, if we’re telling a childhood story, we could also talk about how that story shaped who we are today.
To further enhance the flow of our narrative, let’s focus on the rhythm of our sentences. Short sentences create urgency, while longer ones allow for reflection. Varying sentence length can keep things interesting and prevents monotony.
Finally, we might consider incorporating a motif into our run-on page. A motif is like an anchor, something that comes up again and again, connecting different parts of the story. It could be a picture of a family heirloom, a song lyric, or anything that creates a sense of connection for the reader.
Arresting the Run-on Pages
Just as it’s crucial to maintain momentum throughout a page, the ending is equally important. A well-crafted page often builds towards an emotional peak – a moment of realization, loss, or victory. This high point can serve as a natural conclusion.
However, in memoirs, endings, like life itself, are rarely neat and tidy. The journey continues even after the last period is written. A run-on page might end with an open-ended question, a statement that hints at the future, or a subtle echo of the opening sentence.
Sometimes, the most powerful endings leave the reader with a lingering question or a striking image that stays with them long after they turn the page.
Run-on pages celebrate the fluid nature of memory, inviting the reader on a journey that lingers long after they’ve finished reading. Whether capturing a single fleeting moment or the tapestry of a lifetime, run-on pages aim to deepen the connection between writer and reader—one moving experience at a time.