I am currently reading a nonfiction how-to writing book by Joyce Carol Oates called The Faith of a Writer. In the chapter, "To a Young Writer," she opens with: "Write your heart out. Never be ashamed of your subject, and of your passion for your subject."
I like the idea that she presents, which is to let your subject be your focus, instead of yourself. Self-consciousness will never get you anywhere, and neither will self-centeredness. Use your subject as motivation to keep your writing a constant process.
Sometimes I have found myself being ashamed of my desire to become a professional writer, and other times I have used it to define myself in a crowd. I think it is better to constantly keep the focus of my career in the material itself, rather than my abilities as a writer, so that I can continue my work regardless of what stage of self-loathing I am currently in. (As deadlines approach, self-loathing kicks in to high gear and causes a unique hurdle for me to overcome.)
Is this a feasible option for writers? To put their faith in their subjects instead of their own abilities? Does it seem even possible?
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Absolutely, it's a feasible option for writers to "put their faith in their subjects" other than their own ability. Some of my most honest writing has been poetry that was 100% inspired by my subject with no thought of saleability or audience. Granted, those poems are complete crap in hindsight, but there's an absolute core of faith and honesty that maybe could be honed to make something readable.
ReplyDeleteAnd in considering this thought as a fiction writer, I really believe that a near-obsession of a ficitious subject is necessary in order to make that character believable. I think that, at some point, there's a weird melding of subject and writer where the two should become almost inseparable, and the conscious thought of the author becomes that of his subject.
"I never had to choose a subject -- my subject rather chose me." Hemingway