Allen Ginsberg hard at work.
Would you ever put yourself in a risky situation just to have something to write about?
Most writers in the 21st century write more through passive observation than active participation. On a general scale, we have more protection from external conflict than ever before, so it stands to reason that much of our understanding about unfamiliar situations is more intellectual than visceral.
But does that make our writing authentic?
This brings me back to a quotation a high school art teacher with really expressive eyebrows once told me: “Art imitates life.” Cliché, but true. Who wants to read fifty pages describing how you got up in the morning, made your bed (addendum: the protagonist is not a college student), brushed your teeth, got dressed…
Do you really want to put readers through the ho-hum of their daily routines?
I am not an advocator for self-harm, nor am I interested in inflicting harm onto others. But I am certainly not risk averse. Would I knowingly put myself in a situation—with a high degree of failure or adverse outcomes—simply to be more affiliated with the subject so I can write about it “authentically”?
I’ll leave that to you to decide.
Like Neil Gaiman said, “Go out and get your heart broken.”
Just come back and be prepared to write about it.
If anyone has a time machine, please contact me yesterday.
This gives me something to think about, thanks for that.
You are welcome.
Sometimes all you need to do is look around you pick someone then walk in their shoes for a little while. People watching I call it and what you might find might be all you need to write. Thank you for dropping by my blog. Maiya
Which raises the question of risk tolerance: how far would you be willing to go to write about someone you barely know? Capote fell into depression writing In True Blood. It’s all so very daunting, but interesting.
Writing comes easier with a broken heart and an empty wallet :) There’s ample empirical evidence.
You should put quotation marks around that, teasome. :P
What an interesting post and quite true. Experience does bring authenticity into writing, but its really a matter of how far you will go to get that ‘authentic’ feel.
Writing is a lot like acting–compare Daniel Handler to George Sand. This makes me excited to create some pseudonyms!
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While I can say that I agree or disagree, I’ll take it up a notch and decree, “a justice has been served.” I rather fancy your derring do, yet detached dissection into the confines of the 21st century writer. Your words ring a bell, surely above this side of hell, at the essential enigma that plagues today’s writers from time to time.
Objectivity is my priority. I’m happy this piece resonated with you.
Hello! Discovered your blog via someone else’s where you left a comment.
LOVED this post, and your inclusion of the photo of Ginsberg is so absolutely spot on. He was one of the bravest of writers: raw, emotional, vulnerable, and never pulled punches.
Cheers!
“Howl” changed everything.
Best of luck with the writing and living experience!
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Whoa … you got me at this question : “Would you ever put yourself in a risky situation just to have something to write about?”
Er … what kind of risks are we talking about? Like life-threatening?
I gotta mull on that one.
Life-threatening would be a bit much. This is mostly about diving into the unknown. I’m still mulling on this one, too.
I really enjoyed this. Might I reblog it at Miriam’s Well (http://miriamswell.wordpress.com) ? You can write me at msagan1035@aol.com
Absolutely.
I’m not a danger fan, but I can understand dedication to one’s craft. Great post, Millie.
Thank you, Mr. Hook. I referred mostly to the danger of diving into the unknown.
Hmmm, maybe that’s why we have facebook. :-)
I think putting yourself out there is dangerous.
Death by silence is quite excruciating.
Great post for thought, thanks!
I also am not a criminal of any type — besides stealing my dad’s chocolates — but I go into my writing with this thought: if I’m writing about something too normal, it’s probably not interesting. So my characters can be chatting about what they bought at the shops but I consider cramming them in a closet together. Now isn’t that a whole lot more interesting? That’s a shopping experience I DO want to hear about!
On writing “too normal”: have you ever read some of Roald Dahl’s adult fiction? His stories feature ordinary folks with hidden quirks.
very interesting thought…
I think… I have finally found my inspiration to go back and write again….
I’ll take risks… Thanks Millie.
Glad I could be of help, Kathleen! Best of luck.