Last evening, over dinner, we spoke about how anyone who wants to be a writer has to be willing to experience life. One must be unafraid to face down one's greatest fears and dredge up one's most hidden secrets, and that's not easy. There has to be an innate curiosity about life - what it is and what the hell are we doing here - and although it sounds paradoxical, one must, at the same time, get one's focus off of oneself, loosen one's biases, and be willing to explore other people's universes.
Henry Miller wrote,
"Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself."That sums it up for me, but then, Miller almost always sums it up for me on most issues.
It's unfortunate and disturbing how many people today choose to live in a narrow world, a world without good music, literature and art, and without experiencing the richness of other cultures and other lifestyles. Thanks to America's corporate feudal system, the necessity of a college education has robbed most young people of the education that comes with travel. Whether it's through something like the Peace Corp or riding a Eurail pass through Europe, there is more to learn out there than what is taught in college, which has, after all, turned into not much more than an expensive trade school. Going to college these days is more about landing a good job than it is about learning, and all specializing is, really, is learning more and more about less and less. To write, one must learn more and more about more and more, and writing from what you know is more important than getting every comma correct.
I hope that things in the world will settle down a bit, that people will begin to live rather than subsist, and that some quality of life will return, especially here in the States. If the current financial crisis can bring us back to what's really important in life, that is, family and friends, good music, literature and art, then it will have been good for us. I hope the days of the diamond encrusted cell phones and designer doggiewear are over. Mostly, I hope that a crop of new, young writers will emerge to tell the stories.
13 comments:
I consider it a great honor to be referred to as a writer by you. I think that the writing project that we have embarked upon together is one of the most exciting and fulfilling creations that I have ever been part of, and even if it never sees publication, I will always be grateful for the part I had in creating it.
A young student approached a well-known author at a book signing and while the literary veteran was signing his name, the student asked what he needed to become a writer. The author looked and and asked "do you like sentences?"
Along with life experience I also believe a writer must be a reader. A musician surrounds herself with music. A painter observes what else is being done in the art around him and can speak about his subject. I wonder why we more often hear writers say "I can't read anything else," because it "spoils their eye" or impinges on the uniqueness of their spark. I find that strange and more often originated amongst writers than any other discipline.
A musician loves his instrument. A painter takes care of his brushes. A writer has to like sentences.
Years ago, I met a young man who told me he wanted to be a writer. I asked him who he liked to read and his reply was that he didn't read because he didn't want to ruin his "style". I told him that was a load of BS.
I agree with you 100%. Thanks for it.
I agree that undergrad college is basically crap now, but I learned alot in Master's school.
You may need experiences besides college to be good at writing, but the best way to learn statistics is through formal classes.
I learned the basic structure and form of writing in junior high and high school. I didn't have to go to college for that. In fact, the basics should be learned before a person enters college.
My writing skills have improved by writing.
plain. and. simple.
Plus I've done a lot of reading, only not recently. I did most of my fiction reading and reading of "the classics" when I was in high school and college. I was an avid fan of Jane Austen, as I was particularly interested in the plight of women in late 18th century Europe. Since then, however, most of my reading has been biographical and historical non-fiction.
But I agree with Steph, one cannot write if one has nothing about which to write. Life experiences make the best subjects.
Life happens to everyone, just can't get through it untouched. Those who can interpret it through creativity are truly fortunate. Writing is about...writing... once begun,where does it end??
i agree that so much of life these days is just about 'getting by' and not enough about 'living'...
good to know you try to break the rule..
I really like this post. I read a variety of books, and reading has helped my writing tremendously. Often I read several books at once! I remember reading Anne Franks diary not so long ago. I find her work inspiring and her style is very good, particularly for her age. I also agree about the relationship between life experiences and writing. Only after dealing with a few curveballs that life has thrown at me have I been able to acquire the ingredients to start my own novel…
I was fortunate in having what would be considered an old-fashioned out-dated elementary education. Grammar was heavily emphasized (anyone else remember diagramming sentences? I loved it!), reading, and most especially writing, both prose and poetry. We taught how to think and how to write.
My writing genre is nature writing. It just seems natural (no pun intended!) to me to go out in nature and come home and write about my experiences. I become more aware of the universe, of my place in the universe and how the universe does not revolve around me or anyone else; I notice birds and sounds and plants and things so small that they would normally be overlooked if one encountered them in the clutter of city life. Going into nature puts me in touch with the big picture and reminds me that humans are only a part of the whole thing; that other sentient beings, plants, even the soil and rocks share this planet, too, and are no less important than we are. Everything is necessary to make the whole. When one part of it - humans, for example - are emphasized at the expense of other parts, the world becomes lop-sided, off-balanced, and suffers as a result. We are seeing the results of that today.
And my second-grade teacher, Mrs. Dorson, would be gently reprimanding me right now for the errors in my post! haha I should have written "We WERE taught how to think and how to write." I also should have written "When one part of it - humans, for example - IS emphasized...." Sorry, Mrs. D.! :)
Music, Literature and Art have always defined my life. Writing, reading and playing the piano have been my true passions. Life is so rich. I agree with you 100% if only this new generation could immerse itself in the beauty of art and classical music it would change their life's paradigms 180 degrees. Art, Literature and Music are the legacy of all our ancestors. It is our patrimony, the Arts are the vessels of our humanity. By studying and appreciating art in all forms we are honoring the higher aspects of our existence.Through art and music our flickering souls transcend time and space to embrace Hope and Love and Truth.
What you've spoken here is so true.
Live and enjoy your life, a meaningful life.
What you've spoken here is so true.
Live and enjoy your life, a meaningful life.
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