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What we talk about when we talk about writing

10/30/2010

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I recently read a blog on FB from a reviewer who confessed that although they love reviewing, they’re finding that they now critique every book they read, which is lessening the enjoyment of reading. This is true of writers of books also. You work in edit mode so that when it comes to relaxing with a good book, you can’t help but pick it to bits. I don’t criticise grammar so much as the repetition of words, well not lately. I’ll pick up on certain idiosyncrasies, their fondness for a certain word (Tim Winton’s Dirt Music has characters who murmur a lot (sorry to ruin it for you)) or I’ll make a note of when a simile doesn’t quite work. And I’ll wonder, where was the editor?
But all of this is starting to change.
After reading the recent release of Raymond Carver’s collection (minus the Gordon Lish editing), I’ve come to view these little ‘faults’ as an insight into the actual writer’s mind. I admire Gordon Lish’s editing prowess on Carver’s What we talk about when we talk about love, (frankly, he’s a genius) yet reading the unLished version Beginnings was like reading a memoir. I recommend reading the two versions side by side. It’s a fascinating experience. So many people rave about Carver’s simplicity but this really emerged through Lish’s editing which was vast (Beginnings is twice the length of the original).
I even recall one or two clumsy similes in Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar but found myself thinking about her own head space when she wrote it. (The book is as close to perfection as you get so any clumsiness is forgiven).
Interestingly, these ‘flaws’ that writers and reviewers pick up on, are usually unnoticed by the reader which is a good thing. I think we can rewrite a piece over and over and edit until it’s just bones but sometimes it’s nice to see the writer’s personality. Not overly, but just a few determined signs that the book was written by a human being, not a computer program. Well, that’s just my opinion.
But while I’m on the subject of being open to a few ‘flaws’, I’ll draw the line at a plethora of lazy typos. I once worked with a colleague who self-published a book this year. I hadn’t heard from this person in a few years so was a bit surprised. I had a look at the sample on Amazon and in just a few pages there were more than five typos suggesting that there were probably hundreds more the further you read. And I won’t even mention the repetitive sentences (do I really need to be told the same thing several times?). And I won’t bore you with the legal ramification of just some of what I read...
With the arrival of Print on Demand publishing and the growing popularity of the ebook I gather self-publishing will become more popular. If you choose to self-publish, make sure you have access to a good proof reader and editor or even consider partnership publishing (at least you know it will be closer to, if not, a publishable standard).
And finally, diet tip for the week: Don’t work in or near the kitchen (I’ve cheated because I provided this tip to a dissatisfied blog reader last week).

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The joy of a writing workshop

10/24/2010

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It's been some time since I've enjoyed a writing class, let alone a day long workshop. Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to snare an invite to a workshop with award winning poet, Peter Bakowski which was organised through the Lazy River Writers group. Peter is an inspiring presenter and poet and I came away with some highly useful advice and at least two or three images or lines that I'll use somewhere, though I'm not yet sure where.
Further, the workshop has led me to a decision (also a suggestion of Peter's) - I will allocate a few hours each week, on the same day, to the craft of writing poetry (it's been a while since I've indulged and I can admit, freely, when it comes to the art, I've become one of those rusty old tools lost in my garage). Of course, I have a really good excuse...really, I do...
Mostly, what I realised is that we never stop learning our craft. We can always improve, regardless of how many books we've published. And I feel writing poetry, whether you want to be a poet or not, does actually enhance your other writing.
The other benefit of participating in a workshop is that you actually get to meet people who write. Who want to write. Who MUST write. You get to share experiences, knowledge and network with some awesome people you might not normally meet, and in my case, eat lots of delicious chicken and avocado sandwiches and CHOCOLATE CAKE.
Guess I should include dieting tips. Dieting is pretty much like editing. Cutting out all the bits you like.




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Why would anyone want to be an author?

10/10/2010

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I was kind of surprised watching the October episode of First Tuesday Book Club, that there were readers who didn't enjoy JD Salinger's Catcher in the Rye. I checked out the Goodreads site, same story. I don't know why I should have been so surprised or reacted so protectively, but I have to confess, that's how I felt. Sylvia's Bell Jar had the same reaction with readers. Many liked the book, but many didn't. I wonder, if they'd both been published as memoirs, if they'd been given the same dismissive responses. After scanning comments on both books I was left wondering, why do people find it so hard to believe that the average middle-class person cannot in fact be troubled. Or that their story is 'boring', 'not reflective of true society' and 'self-centred drivel'. Actually, the rising rate of suicide in this so deemed category suggests that the apparent easy life isn't necessary a blessing. Why is it people assume that because you're of a certain race, class and age, your experience of mental illness is purely indulgence?
Ah, now I ramble, back to the books and writing.
I'm left wondering, why on earth bother aiming to grab that dazzling halo in the sky, conveniently out of reach for years - that glorious notion of being a proper, published writer. I'm counting the weeks down to my own launch thinking, I can't wait until Christmas, but I wish I could go back to last Christmas. Friends say, "how exciting" and are, rightly so, bemused by my reluctance to 'share the joy'.  I'm not sure what I'm most scared of. People not turning up to my launch (I'm almost fearful I won't) or people loathing my book (because I am one of those self-centred middle class bores people seem to dislike).
Kate Holden recently launched her second book and noted her own concerns and fears but inevitably acknowledges, 'it's what I wanted'. Meaning, she wanted her book published, scars and all.
I guess, I have to 'grow up' and 'accept responsibility for my actions' and to not get to wound up in what other people think or say.  I mean, even the greats like Plath and Salinger have their critics, right?

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