I have heard at least one million writers say something along the following lines:
"Oh my god, I was just so free when I finally realized I didn't have to write what my English teachers expected of me! Now I am writing whatever I want, and having fun doing it."
And I get it. These writers are having the time of their lives writing spy novels and sci-fi thrillers and best selling romances. I am jealous that this is what they love. I tried to love it too. And I tried to write it. Boooy, did I try to write it.
But where does that leave well meaning bitches like me who deep down *do* want to write the kind of stuff you get taught in literature classes? What are we supposed to rebel against? I am nothing if not a brat, and I don't want to make my old teachers happy and proud of me???
I've realized I'm going to have to rebel against rebelling. From this point onwards, I am embracing my inner literary snob, because that is where I get my jollies. That is where have the time of my life.
Part of me honestly hates writing stories.
You know the phrase. It goes something like, "Well, the writing wasn't that great, but the storytelling was amazing." I know this kind of compliment started out well intentioned, to give credit where it was due, but now "all that matters is the story" is just a freaking maxim. Don't worry about the writing, as long as you've got a compelling story. Story story story.
I'm honestly sick of the dogma (at least in my fiction writing circles) that story is all that matters.
Maybe what I need to rebel against is stories themselves. I mean, this isn't my first time stringing a sentence together -- I do know that great writing and storytelling can go hand in hand. But I am sort of a 'throw the baby out with the bathwater' kind of girl.
Part of my distaste for stories comes from that fact that plot bores me.
Things happening bore me.
Nothingness? Now that is interesting*
If I am reading a book and a lot of stuff is happening...boy, I am gonna be falling asleep.
But give me someexistentiall experimental nonsense and that is like a shot of caffiene straight to my veins. My heart is racing, I'm dizzy, I can't sleep for weeks.
"Oh my god, I was just so free when I finally realized I didn't have to write what my English teachers expected of me! Now I am writing whatever I want, and having fun doing it."
And I get it. These writers are having the time of their lives writing spy novels and sci-fi thrillers and best selling romances. I am jealous that this is what they love. I tried to love it too. And I tried to write it. Boooy, did I try to write it.
But where does that leave well meaning bitches like me who deep down *do* want to write the kind of stuff you get taught in literature classes? What are we supposed to rebel against? I am nothing if not a brat, and I don't want to make my old teachers happy and proud of me???
I've realized I'm going to have to rebel against rebelling. From this point onwards, I am embracing my inner literary snob, because that is where I get my jollies. That is where have the time of my life.
Part of me honestly hates writing stories.
You know the phrase. It goes something like, "Well, the writing wasn't that great, but the storytelling was amazing." I know this kind of compliment started out well intentioned, to give credit where it was due, but now "all that matters is the story" is just a freaking maxim. Don't worry about the writing, as long as you've got a compelling story. Story story story.
Maybe what I need to rebel against is stories themselves. I mean, this isn't my first time stringing a sentence together -- I do know that great writing and storytelling can go hand in hand. But I am sort of a 'throw the baby out with the bathwater' kind of girl.
Part of my distaste for stories comes from that fact that plot bores me.
Things happening bore me.
Nothingness? Now that is interesting*
If I am reading a book and a lot of stuff is happening...boy, I am gonna be falling asleep.
But give me someexistentiall experimental nonsense and that is like a shot of caffiene straight to my veins. My heart is racing, I'm dizzy, I can't sleep for weeks.
*"happening stories are all alike; each non-happening story is non-happening in it's own way"
- Leo Toltsoy via way of Crystal Gallagher.
I don't really have an ending for this blog post but that's what being a great writer is all about.
Comments
Post a Comment