A Thought for Aspiring Writers

[j d worthington]

For the aspiring writers here on the forum, I'd like to pass along this thought:

"The great danger in the latter kind of geniuses is, lest they cramp their own abilities too much by imitation, and form themselves altogether upon models, without giving the full play to their own natural parts. An imitation of the best authors is not to compare with a good original; and I believe we may observe that very few writers make an extraordinary figure in the world, who have not something in their way of thinking or expressing themselves, that is peculiar to them, and entirely their own."

-- Joseph Addison, The Spectator No. 160 (3 September 1711)

 

[SpaceShip]

... and in 1711 there were not as many aspiring writers as there are today - thus more scope for originality!

 

[Curt Chiarelli]

Choice advice, then as now!

 

[j d worthington]

... and in 1711 there were not as many aspiring writers as there are today - thus more scope for originality!

On that one, I'll have to take issue. Yes, one needs to learn from models. But the thing for any writer who wishes to be good at what they do is to hone, and to practice, and sharpen their tools and their talent ... but most of all to write what is in you ... do not copy someone else. Whatever it is that you have to say, whatever is unique to your perspective ... that is what should be nurtured. It may never sell, but it will almost inevitably be of more value than anything done in imitation of someone else. And you're sharing your vision with the world, not a pale imitation of someone else's.

(This is not directed at you personally, SS ... it's a principle that applies to anyone who wishes to write well.)

 

[HoopyFrood]

I only ever write for myself and what I want to write. Screw everyone else if they don't like it!

 

[Culhwch]

Another thought....

Write a little every day without hope or fear.
Isak Dinesan

 

[j d worthington]

Another thought....

Write a little every day without hope or fear.
Isak Dinesan

Very good ... keep the creative energy flowing.....

 

[SpaceShip]

On that one, I'll have to take issue. Yes, one needs to learn from models. But the thing for any writer who wishes to be good at what they do is to hone, and to practice, and sharpen their tools and their talent ... but most of all to write what is in you ... do not copy someone else. Whatever it is that you have to say, whatever is unique to your perspective ... that is what should be nurtured. It may never sell, but it will almost inevitably be of more value than anything done in imitation of someone else. And you're sharing your vision with the world, not a pale imitation of someone else's.

(This is not directed at you personally, SS ... it's a principle that applies to anyone who wishes to write well.)

Not taken personally j.d. I write, like Hoopy, mainly because I love doing it and the best bit is I can choose my own ending (I hate it when I read a book and the ending is naff!). Also - if the populace discovers me - fine! If it don't - fine. I don't write for a living; I write for the pure joy of it. (Just as well I don't write for a living or I'd starve!)

However, there is some very good advice out there - your's included j.d.

 

[scalem X]

(Just as well I don't write for a living or I'd starve!)

motion seconded.

Then again I also write to improve and am open to criticism. Writing for yourself is the initial thing (baking a nice cake), but that doesn't mean you can't keep doing that while also letting other people read it and enjoy it (whipped cream on top and suggestions for better cakes). The thing you can't do though, is losing the initial purpose (good food).

As for the topic of imitation: I think it's okay to use a basis which is similar, but have problems when you use the top of some other person (e.g. the ending as stated above). If you like Tolkien for example, read beowulf and build a fantasy world using that ground, rather than using Tolkien as inspiration. This is in general imitation too, but you will have your own result using a method alike, which is a huge difference.

 

[j d worthington]

Scalem: Agreed. And that applies to what I said earlier about learning from models... it's like the practice canvases a painter learns from.... you've got to practice technique while you also put down the stories in your own head; so there'll be some influence. The problem comes, I think, in following too closely, or in deliberately trying to imitate (unless in parody -- not pastiche, which is a different thing -- where the imitation is taken over the top for obvious satirical purposes).

And, yes, accepting feedback to help you grow is always a good thing... don't accept it blindly, but take it in, think about it, see if it might help you to improve your work, and then apply those parts which will ... but through your own lens.

Any other thoughts -- or, for that matter, any other quotes that might prove helpful food for thought for aspiring writers?

 

[Urien]

I once ate a Cornish Pastiche. It didn't agree with me. Fortunately my friend Rebecca, an ex pirate from Penzance, offered to help me. Unfortunately she went missing, we searched over sea and under stone but no luck.

 

[HoopyFrood]

AVS, your posts are getting stranger each time I read them! I hope it's because that how you're writing them and not because it's how I'm reading them!
Ex Pirate, eh? I can't think of any reason to give up priacy. I want to be a pirate with a horseshoe crab on my shoulder...

 

[Urien]

Not strange surely. Most of them have a daisy chain of reality buried in their tiny beating hearts. In this instance it's self-referential being a Cornish pastiche. Geddit?

No? Me neither.

AVS (Thanks I like that.)

 

[scalem X]

Mmm and me thinking you were referring to the pastry .

 

[PenDragon]

we searched over sea and under stone but no luck.

Love that book.

 

[SpaceShip]

I once ate a Cornish Pastiche. It didn't agree with me. Fortunately my friend Rebecca, an ex pirate from Penzance, offered to help me. Unfortunately she went missing, we searched over sea and under stone but no luck.

LOL - no wonder you couldn't find her! V. funny AVS.