I thank you all for the thoughtful input. I feared this would be a topic with the potential to enflame the emotions of some people. And from these wildly varying responses, I can see that it certainly has.
Whether I agree with a response or not, I thank you all for participating.
But I find I failed to make certain aspects of this thread sufficiently clear. Perhaps I assumed too much. For that, I will take full responsibility.
The first thing I noticed was that some of you must believe that when I used the term, “great writer”, you thought I meant such writers are great in all genres. If that’s the impression I gave you, then this is the first mistake I made. I assumed you would all make the logical jump to what I actually meant, which was a reference to greatness in a particular genre. I doubt anyone is a great writer in all areas.
Second, it’s obvious that some of you associate “great writing” with financial success or the status of being on a “bestseller” list. However, I intended no such association. Great writing can be created in complete isolation. Financial reward and social kudos are not a requisite.
I also want to make the point that I don’t believe a writer can only be great if everyone thinks so. I would have to be a moron to suggest such a thing. (However, simply because I didn’t suggest that concept, it doesn’t mean I’m not a moron. That status is well within the realm of possibility.)
Many of you have addressed the issue of determined hard work and commitment…including passion. In this, I also assumed you took it for granted that I already feel all these issues are merely the basis for great writing. Without these and other necessary aspects and details that abound in the literary field, greatness cannot be achieved. They are the foundation on which greatness can be built.
However, as it is with all artist endeavors, writing included, some people have a gift, and some don’t. That doesn’t mean we can’t improve -- we certainly can -- but to what level?
Perhaps, in my reference suggesting “innate or natural talent”, I also should have included the term “natural capacity”. And I say this because many of us were not gifted with a set of vocal cords that would allow us be opera stars, nor, do all of us have the ability to see an object in a three-dimensional form and the ability to then recreate that image as a copy of something else, or from an original image in our mind.
As I mentioned in my original thread, I’ve seen people spend their entire adult lives trying to do just this, and never reaching a level I would call impressive or even adequate. And it’s not because they didn’t study or feel passionate about their work. They simply didn’t have the “capacity”, or “capability”, if you prefer. This is not meant as a put-down or condemnation of the person. It is simply the acceptance of fact.
If a person does something in an artistic field, including writing, and does so as a hobby, as therapy, or simply as a way to pass the time, then they should never be held to someone else’s standards. But if that same person wishes to be measured against others in their area of interest, then it seems strange that they are unwilling to accept that certain standards must be met. And it’s not unusual to accept that some people will have a natural gift for that particular skill-set. It’s only reasonable. But what do I know?
And thank you, Theresa Edgerton. I think your suggestion of the word “aptitude” is a fantastic idea.
In regard to those of you who suggested that I shouldn’t limit my personal writing goals, I agree. I aim as high as I can. But I like to be realistic in those goals. Otherwise, I feel I’m dooming myself to unhappiness due to eventual failure.
And secondly, I have a fear of unmanaged personal ego. When I was a child, egotistical behavior was grounds for punishment. So, perhaps I tend to lean in the opposite direction a bit too much.
Now…back to the points of my original thread.
I would love to sing as well as Josh Groban or Andrea Bocelli. But I know my vocal limitations, so I must be satisfied with what I ‘can’ do. I can sing for my own pleasure, I can sing for the pleasure of my family and friends. But no matter how hard I work, no matter how passionate I am about studying and practicing the art of singing, I will never reach Groban’s or Bocelli’s level of greatness.
And here is a very important point. That doesn’t mean I should give up singing or stop pushing myself to improve. It is merely my need to accept life as it is. Not everyone is capable of reaching the same levels of achievement. I don’t feel I am a failure because I can’t do something as well as someone else.
It is a simple fact of life.
My dad always told me, “There will always be someone who can do a better job than you can. But if you want to sleep at night, do the best ‘you’ can, whether you’re digging a ditch, sweeping a parking lot, or building a chicken house. If you do that, you can always be proud.”
Someone mentioned that people never say “now there goes a natural born electrician”, and I agree. I’ve been a licensed contractor for forty years, and I’ve wired my share of houses. But anyone who wishes to learn that skill can do so if they’re willing to learn the rules of electrical application. However, that is a field of exact and precise knowledge. Gain that particular knowledge and you’re in business.
The same can’t be said of art, in any form, and that includes the art and craft of writing. There’s nothing exact or precise about it. It’s often free-form expression, controlled primarily by artistic intent. It’s true there are certain guidelines and rules, but few of them are set in concrete.
I’ve also noticed that some people are simply unfamiliar with what the terms “innate talent” or “aptitude” really mean. However, that’s easily corrected by doing a bit of research.
All I can say is that I’ve spent a lifetime participating in various fields of art, writing included. And if I learned anything, it’s that “natural talent”, or “aptitude”, or “a natural born gift”, are real aspects of any artistic endeavor. I’ve seen it proven out too many times. But if anyone can show me empirical proof -- not personal opinion -- that I’m wrong, I will happily look at their evidence and adjust my thinking.
I’m sure I will have more to say on this issue down the road. But for now, this will have to do.
As always, my best to you all,
-- The hermit in the woods --
