One of the novels I love the most in life is Les Miserables. I've read both books, the abridged and unabridged, saw the play on Broadway (which is the only place to see a Broadway play), owned the cd, watched the pbs special from O2, and take a lot at any movie that comes out (one is due on Christmas).
There is a reason I say that. I want to write something that can effect others just as much as Les Miz has affected me. I want to show the inter-connectivity of lives. I want to reach down into a persons soul and make them feel the exact emotion that I am trying to portray. I want to mention a line and be able to bring a tear to your eye or a smile to your face.
But, I think it is time to admit this to myself, I don't have that kind of talent. I am a hack, at best. I'm not very original. Even parts that people think are original were borrowed from somewhere. I just regurgitate stuff I've read or have seen on TV. I try though, and I try to get better, but I think I might have maxed out my potential.
I am beginning to realize that those things I wrote that I thought were good are nothing more than mediocre, and the stories I feel are mediocre are probably best if I deleted them and hope no copy survives.
I think I will finish this new novel, just because I made a commitment to it, and let someone else take up the gauntlet. Someone please write something that is like Les Mis, I need to feel again.
Comments
Hugs
I love you stories, Jenny is one of my favs. you have a fan and I am looking forward to your next posting.
Love and Hugs Hanna
Love And Hugs Hanna
((((((((♥)))))))((((((((♥)))))))((((((((♥)))))))((((((((♥)))))))((((((((♥)))))))
Blessed Be
Exceptionalism
There is a reason why books such as Les Miserables are so highly valued. That is because so very few human beings are ever able to write at that level. Being exceptional is precisely that. Exceptional.
But being unique is something each and everyone of us can accomplish. Perhaps you should concentrate on doing what you want. Just please yourself. If you enjoy writing, then do it. Don't worry about The Great American Novel. Just write what makes you happy. Along the way, try to find those things that resonate for you. If it has been said by others, look at how you might like to say the same thing...but in your terms.
And remember that some of the most exceptional people in all of our history have been some of the most miserable people in our history. Concentrate on being you, and happy.
SuZie
SuZie
So what
Your stories are not on the level of Les Miserables. So what. If you take a look at the novels on this weeks NYTimes or any other list of the top 10 novels, most if not all are not on the same level. How many will be made into movies, plays and musicals? Probably none. How many authors create characters such as Jean Valjean or Quasimodo? Probably None. How many will still be read 100 years from now? Probably none.
Its good to try and reach the highest standards, but that is difficult. If you get pleasure or some type of relief, in writting your stories that's great. There are people here who read and enjoy them.
Of the thousands of people who frequent this site, either regularly or occassionaly, how many write even one story. Very few. Be proud of yourself for what you do and stop kicking yourself in the ass. It hurts as much if not more then if someone else does it to you.
Rami
RAMI
You know, it's amazing...
...how much you sound like me at times. I've hesitated to post anything here for precisely the same reasons. As far as copying from TV shows, it happens--we absorb what we're exposed to, and we're exposed to a good deal more television than we care to admit. But bear in mind, TV writers too rely on a standard repertoire of plotlines and stock character types, particularly those who write sitcoms. If you don't believe me, look at TV Tropes online sometime.
It's what you do with those stock situations that matters, and you've managed to take them and make them something uniquely yours. I know of no other story, anywhere, quite like your God Bless The Child trilogy. Transgender themes are dealt with only rarely in mainstream fiction, and when they are, they're seldom handled with any degree of sensitivity or accuracy. (I'm thinking "Myra Breckinridge" in particular--and that was written by Gore Vidal, a respected, celebrated writer.) I consider your trilogy more mainstream than TG, since the TG element occupies the periphery of the storyline most of the time.
Here's one reason not to take the "You took that from television!" critique too seriously: I was once accused of that when I posted the outline of a story I'd planned to do onto a writers' e-mail list. He compared it to a famous Twlight Zone episode--one I'd never seen at the time! How can one plagiarize something one didn't know existed?
Yes, you're a lot like me, but there's one important difference. I've never gotten past my fear of embarrassment enough to actually publish anything. You have.
Livin' A Ragtime Life,
Rachel
There are no new stories...
There are no new stories we're all just rehashing the same ideas over and over. Every time I've ever come up with an idea I thought was unique I soon found that someone had already thought of it before. What really matters is the way in which the story is told.
There are only a handful of writers capable of creating works above and beyond the rest of us. Does that mean that those of us who are less gifted in our writing skills are hacks? So long as we strive to better our works and create something great then I would say absolutely not. Many of those we revere as great writers didn't start out that way. They became great over the course of time by practicing and striving to better their skills.
Have a delightfully devious day,
If at first you dont
Succeed FUCK IT!!!
Do you think all great writers just have a talent for it? Most if not all of them worked their asses off to hone their skills very few authors here or out there will brag "im glad you liked it its my first draft. And i sold a million copies".
If you want to amaze people you have to work at it!!
Get off the bed and write!
Dayna.
Ps i imagine most writers face rejections and are underwhelmed with their skills. You will never be great if you whine about lacking talent (and give up).
writing
I have written stories since I was eight. I have written, edited, re-written, edit, re-written, let others edit, re-written.
And I don't write from my bed, I write from my couch. I've been pulling 3000 words for maybe 3 weeks now. Maybe its that I'm burnt out and think the story is spinning its tires in the mud. It just doesn't grab me, and if the story don't grab me, how can I suspect it will grab others.
Katie Leone (Katie-Leone.com)
Writing is what you do when you put pen to paper, being an author is what you do when you bring words to life
What I want and What I am
To me, you have written stories the equal of Les Miserables.
May Your Light Forever Shine