So much truth

[veronica_rich]

Commandeered from poetic_self's LJ. Samuel R. Delany: About Writing

Writers are people who write. By and large, they are not happy people. They're not good at relationships. Often they're drunks. And writing -- good writing -- does not get easier and easier with practice. It gets harder and harder -- so eventually the writer must stall out into silence.The silence that waits for every writer and that, inevitably, if only with death (if we're lucky the two may happen at the same time: but they are still two, and their coincidence is rare), the writer must fall into is angst-ridden and terrifying - and often drives us mad. (In a letter to Allen Tate, the poet Hart Crane once described writing as "dancing on dynamite.") So if you're not a writer, consider yourself fortunate.

(I think I'm going to add this to my LJ's introductory post.)

Comments

[hippediva.livejournal.com]

*G* One of my all-time fave writers with some very wise words. LOL! Then again, look at my personal faves----Joyce, Faulkner and Wilmot. *snerk*

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

There's nothing worse than being a writer with nothing or very little to say, that's for sure. (Although I don't think anyone can claim THOSE guys had little to say, LOL.)

[hippediva.livejournal.com]

Happy writers tend to have next-to-nothing interesting to offer fiction, at least from what I can tell. I think 'happy writer' and I think of all those poor trees that died to put those godawful 'Chicken Soup' books on the shelves. LOL! It takes a real freak to write decent fiction---and a patient one! *snerk*

[pir8fancier.livejournal.com]

Uh, take exception to pretty much this whole thing. Yeah, I know unhappy writers who drink. I also know unhappy people who've never picked up a pen and who drink. I will agree that writing gets harder as you progress, I also think that in some respects it gets easier . This paragraph seems to me to be an apologia for being an asshole.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

What's your point? >:-D

I think it's largely true. It's the "by and large" you have to pay attention to. Not all of us are happily married with kids and in-laws who love us and supportive friends nearby. Some of us really do struggle just to produce something readable, while others regularly flow out inspirational copy.

[pir8fancier.livejournal.com]

Some of us really do struggle just to produce something readable, while others regularly flow out inspirational copy.

I think we all struggle. So much of ourselves is on that page that it takes an awfully brave person to put stuff out there and take the praise with the disdain. But I really don't understand the mindset where we are alienated from everyone (you and I have become friends because of our WRITING!), and we should wallow in our alienation, and whatever jerkiness (or excessive drinking) occurs is because we are writers. No, that is unacceptable to me. Yes, you can agonize over your writing. Yes, you can get those mean reds and feel inadquate and heaps of self-disgust (which I do, more often that I ever let on), but I don't think we are a special little club that allows us to be jerks just because we are writers.

This is such a bleak and FATALISTIC viewpoint. In fact, it says to me what's the point of writing at ALL, because eventually you'll become so paralyzed with self-disgust that you won't be able to type a simple sentence without reaching for the vodka. If I felt that way, I'd sell my laptop right now. I see myself, hopefully, on a continuum. Getting better. Hopefully. And I might not, that remains to be seen, but I don't see myself writing toward silence. I see myself writing toward greater clarity, better command of my gifts, increased awareness of how language works, in short, I see it as a learning process, not a death march.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

WHOA NELLIE. Back up the Conestoga wagon. I think you're ascribing more to my motives than I intended. I saw it on someone's LJ and thought "yeah, there are times this describes me; there are times it describes just about every writer I know." If I'd been given a choice, I would've picked being a really good actress with a cute face that aged well, not necessarily a writer. But it's OK; it's (under)paid my bills for 15 years. *G*

[pir8fancier.livejournal.com]

I'm reacting to the rampaging negativity in that quote. Not your acknowledgment that we all have those mean reds.

[compassrose7577.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be happy or sad.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I think it changes day by day, don't you?

[porridgebird.livejournal.com]

I've heard the same sentiment expressed by all sorts of people in all sorts of callings. Writers, yes, and also doctors, lawyers, musicians, artists, schoolteachers, scientists (that's all I can think of off the top of my head but I might remember more if I gave it more thought).

But I've also known an equal number of shiny happy people in all those professions, with lovely relationships and no drinkie. Many of whom connected their success and happiness to their callings.

In short, it's a lovely quote, but I don't think there's data to support the generalization.

(Interestingly, I saw a documentary a few months ago on the high incidence of demolished families, drug/alcohol abuse, angst, insanity, even suicide -- among mathmeticians!)

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

If you're very good at anything, it'll drive you insane. And if you're adequate, it'll drive you insane that you're not very good.

[porridgebird.livejournal.com]

Hee... Well, that's certainly true for them what it's true for.

[venusinchains.livejournal.com]

That is definitely true and not true. :P (And it is kind of considered a cliche: the angsting artist, wallowing in mind-altering chemicals either for inspiration or to stem the flow of mad ideas.)

But I love Samuel Delany (when he doesn't frighten me). He's quite an odd bird. Perfect for an lj introductory post.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I would like to wallow in some of those mind-altering chemicals, please. Do you make house deliveries?

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

Wow, that was like a portal into my future. LOL

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

God, I hope not ...

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

Same here, which is why I had the "LOL" in there.

[poetic-self.livejournal.com]

Glad to be of service ;)

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Hey, I liked it. When I'm being an asshole, I've nobody to blame but me - but this still applies in some of those moods.