Often at the beginning of a workshop I ask my students to write a manifesto about what they want to say in their writing as well as an essay about why they write.
Love these observations, recollections, and recommendations! I fairly regularly pause to wonder, "Now, why do I do this thing again? What is the impulse? Is this why I feel so different from most people in my orbit?" But I don't take the time to think deeply about it. Now, as I approach the submission to agents process with my novel, I will consider your question more deeply and honestly. I believe that will help me survive what can be a brutal, spirit shattering experience (if you let it be).
Thank you for a clear and thoughtful look at the process; lots of threads to follow! Your students are fortunate to have you. Wonderful to give real time to asking what we love/are attracted to/are fascinated by, and why.
RE: Fan fiction - I’m reminded of @austinkleon and his recurring advice to “steal like an artist” -- for example --
Oh, this has just made me realize that I fell in love with writing when I started writing long letters to my best friend when I was 19. That must be why whenever I write essays now, they come out as letters. Two dots connected.
Lovely. I've been asking myself that all year, and it has been a bit of a struggle to answer when I've always written to pay the bills and now am writing fiction. Why? Who cares? I put down the more serious draft and just finished a novel that was more fun. Joy and exploration was my answer this summer. Will ponder your wisdom, and those of the others.
Brilliance. I love this-- thank you SO much for this post. I've done the same for years with students, but I often forget to do it for my own work, at the beginning of something news --- and then I return to Terry Tempest Williams' Why I Write, which is a kind of stream-of-consciousness, 4 am explication.
Love these observations, recollections, and recommendations! I fairly regularly pause to wonder, "Now, why do I do this thing again? What is the impulse? Is this why I feel so different from most people in my orbit?" But I don't take the time to think deeply about it. Now, as I approach the submission to agents process with my novel, I will consider your question more deeply and honestly. I believe that will help me survive what can be a brutal, spirit shattering experience (if you let it be).
As always, thank you!!
Thank you for a clear and thoughtful look at the process; lots of threads to follow! Your students are fortunate to have you. Wonderful to give real time to asking what we love/are attracted to/are fascinated by, and why.
RE: Fan fiction - I’m reminded of @austinkleon and his recurring advice to “steal like an artist” -- for example --
https://austinkleon.com/2016/09/22/steal-old-stuff/
Thank you for this! I will read the links you attached and your future articles, as well.
Oh, this has just made me realize that I fell in love with writing when I started writing long letters to my best friend when I was 19. That must be why whenever I write essays now, they come out as letters. Two dots connected.
I wish I’d had you for a teacher. 🍎
Lovely. I've been asking myself that all year, and it has been a bit of a struggle to answer when I've always written to pay the bills and now am writing fiction. Why? Who cares? I put down the more serious draft and just finished a novel that was more fun. Joy and exploration was my answer this summer. Will ponder your wisdom, and those of the others.
fascinating! Thank you for all this wisdom!
Remind me to read the rest of this as well as those 2 links.
Following you kicks me a bit out of my own way whilst writing which has been true since the Pleistocene Era , ta very much.
I can't wait to do this with my students this week. Such gifts, these posts are. I feel my heart thrum a little when I see them in my feed.
Brilliance. I love this-- thank you SO much for this post. I've done the same for years with students, but I often forget to do it for my own work, at the beginning of something news --- and then I return to Terry Tempest Williams' Why I Write, which is a kind of stream-of-consciousness, 4 am explication.
Yes, I love that one too. And I like you often don't do it, but it is so bracing when I do. It's always different, the same, exciting.