I suppose I lack the unfailing drive to continually promote my work, because...well, everything comes to a point when you question the validity of what you do and whether any notice comes by virtue of true reading enjoyment alone or simply by some other totally unrelated facet of your existence, ie: social connections, appearances, happenstance, or obnoxious and insistent self-promotion in "getting one's self out there".1
I've read good work before, the kind that draws you in like a magnet, sticking your eyes to the page until the wee hours of the morning as you rush to the finish like a parched man toward drink. That is what I call "stand-alone" work, the kind that could be written by the most obnoxious prick in the world and you would still stand in line for hours just to read the next volume. I suppose that's my holy grail and until I reach that point, everything else is just shit to me. 2
Why are writers angsty? I think it's because of this kind of self-questioning madness. As writers we must be adept at reading social trends and addressing society in a way that intrigues and enlivens the intellect AND make them laugh and be transported to a magical place without feeling led, or 'put-on' in the slightest. We must be mental Machiavellis, slipping in education under the guise of entertainment all wrapped in an escape to and from reality. 3
Writing is easy...good writing that reaches into the heart and mind of the reader?, that is an art and not near as second nature. I suppose that's why I do it, as I never could manage to walk away from anything with my ass kicked. So...Mr. Writing, your ass is grass and I'm the mower, but...until I get that engine started I suppose I'll just shut up and listen to my grass grow. But you best look out, my blade's getting sharper all the time...4
Sincerely,5
Mr. Deter Mination
Comments
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Looking through rose color glasses. I wish you and your family well. Missed hearing you from time and again. Poetry shoud sometimes be saviored. Hang in there. And see what matters most. Be a hilligan. Your friend Mark
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, characters: 5.
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Writing is kind of a lonely art. I never know if I'm writing for other people or for myself, and I don't know if the judgment of readers means anything or everything. I can only write what I like and then I hope that other people like it. For what it's worth, I've read some of your pieces, and though I criticized one of your fiction pieces once, I think your writing is clear and sharp, distinctive and original. This piece strikes a chord with me, at a time when I am going through a particularly productive writing period (none of which I'm posting on SW, but that's another story), and wondering "Why am I doing this?" The ideas come and one leads to another and I write them down and a story or essay develops and I write it over and over and over, probably because it is the only way I can get it out of my head. Still, I get a kick out of it and I wouldn't want to go through life uninspired, so I guess it's worth it.
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From the heart....
....and therefore one of your best. I agree with a good deal of what you say here; anyone can write, but it breaks my heart to see how some writers "find their level", and don't try to further their obvious talent. Kudos to you for realising that you can probably do better, and I love the metaphor of you cutting the challenge down to size. As for Mr Deter Mination, well, you don't really need to paint his portrait!
If you can take a little advice from a boring old fart, if you do feel you've had a beating from the writing thing, accept the beating and turn it to your advantage. You know about the tactics of fighting, so you'll know that every antagonist has a weakness. Sometimes you have to accept the beating in order to see how it can be overcome. It's the same with writing; if you compare your own writing with the that of those you admire, keep looking at structure, grammar and punctuation. These are the building blocks of any story. You know that in any fight, a good fighter has attack and defence sewn up. In a good story, these are analagous to characterization and structure, organisation of ideas and presentation.
You've told me in the past that you just write what comes to mind, and since you have a creative mind, this works to an extent. You've also said that you are of the street-fighter persuasion; what makes the difference between a street-fighter and a highly successful boxer or martial artist? My guess is that it's discipline coupled to creativity, but I wonder if you agree?
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