"...with no reason to hide these words I feel. And no reason to talk about the books I read but still I do."-Morrissey
I'm not a great writer. But I know what great writing is. I've read great writing with tears falling down my face. I've read it with laughter. I've read it with my heart pounding against my chest. I've lived other lives. I've thought other's thoughts. I've experienced the world outside myself through great writing. I've read many amazing books and as many mediocre ones. But I never bothered to analyze the difference between the two until I started writing my own.
One of my favorite books is Jane Eyre. One of my least favorite books is Twilight. But what is it about Jane Eyre that makes it so superior to Twilight? They're both Romantic novels with obsessive love and monsters. But one is literature, one is not. Granted, Twilight is mildly entertaining and sometimes that's all a reader's looking for- an escape. I certainly don't watch Will Ferrell movies looking for a real connection or deeper meaning. Entertainment has merit. But without substance it isn't lasting- it isn't great.
Twilight = Pixie Stick
Jane Eyre = Chicken Madeira
Jane Eyre = Chicken Madeira
Great writing, regardless of genre, has intrinsic truths holding it together. Jane Eyre has inner strength- a light inside her no one can put out. Integrity. Courage. Faith. Bella is a self-centered damsel-in-distress who, after what seems like a thousand pages of whining, finally manages to emotionally-blackmail her way into sparkly-vampirehood. OK, I'll stop before I alienate half the female population. Extreme example? Maybe I'm comparing apples to oranges here, but my point is: not all published books are created equal. Analyzing why has helped me determine my writing goals.
DI'S GOAL #1: ALL WHINY CHARACTERS MUST GROW UP OR DIE.
Equally important has been discovering my reasons. Because Morrissey knows as well as I do, although he couldn't work it into his lyrics (song writing is different than story telling), there is always a reason for everything whether simple or complex. Am I writing for fun? Am I writing because I have something to say? Am I writing to make money? Leave a legacy? Feel good about myself? Look more sophisticated and intelligent than I am?
Absolutely. But ultimately those reasons won't get me to the end of my book.
I've given this a lot of thought. I write because I need a creative outlet. I write because I love words and the way they make me feel when they're put together properly. I'm not a great writer. But someday I hope to write something I can be proud of. And that is what keeps me focused and motivated.
3 comments:
Love your story question. I know for sure you are NOT "ham", no matter what Cambria thinks. (Although she is very intelligent and insightful.)
You go Di. The world needs thoughtfully composed human messages delineated by artistically placed, meaningful words.It's a clumsy way of communicating at best, but there is no better way within our mortal condition, to share this life in which we find ourselves.
You have something to say. Let us hear it.
I don't think you're comparing apples to oranges. The whole point of reading/writing a book is to tell how a character got from point A to point B. There are always trials on the way, and every situation is unique, but the way the character handles those is what makes them relate-able and lovable, or annoying and someone you despise. It's okay if the character starts out whiny and weak (they have to start somewhere), but if they never truly grow or overcome something, the story falls flat.
This is why it is so important as a writer to always read. You not only form your own ideas, but you can also pick what works and what doesn't. That's the best thing about writing is because the story is yours and yours only - you get to choose what happens. So keep expressing yourself. You're a better writer than you give yourself credit for!
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