Excarnation… what a way to go!
My writer hubby’s latest fiction, Pitch for a Picture Book, is out in Mad Swirl magazine this month. The editor of Mad Swirl, Tyler, described excarnation in writing terms as defleshing art. It’s true that the process for a writer is to construct, then deconstruct their work – draft 1 is to get the ideas out and draft 2 is to edit and cut any extraneous parts, or to refine what works. Excarnation can also epitomise life’s tragedies (or comedies, depending on how you look at it!) In Pitch for a Picture Book the death or loss of everyone living who is dear to the central character, initiates a bit of philosophical reflection, and a quest for new friendships among inanimate objects. When dealing with figments of the imagination, a person has control; strip away reality and you’re left with the ‘bare bones’ which can’t cause hurt, or betrayal. Is this death of idealism the first steps on the spiritual journey to happiness, or is it all one of life’s big jokes? Of course, as with any practise of excarnation, it’s better to make sure you don’t lose too much; those metatarsals can’t be replaced once they’re gone!
Leilanie Stewart 