“ I try to leave out the parts people skip.” -Elmore Leonard
One of my favorite quotes. I think we have to be very aware of pacing now with all writing, taking into consideration the impact that social media has made, and how easily distracted we all are by everything going on.
I do like Vonnegut's first rule. One of the best practitioners of this rule, to my mind, is John McPhee. Even when I imagine I have no interest in his subject, he pulls me in. Every time. He's never wasted my time.
I only write on social media, it’s “writing in water” to borrow a phrase. I don’t even know who my readers are most of the time. But the process fascinates me and the compulsion never goes away. Will you (?!) ever become famous for your work? I have no idea. But you are a very talented writer who absolutely deserves an audience. I’m appreciative of being a part of it.
100 clappers clapping, and not a sound to be heard. I know the feeling. Claps don't pay the bills. Here on Substack, I get immediate feedback from the readers--no middleman like on Medium. I write here and learn what moves my readers in my little niche, I adjust and write some more.
You might say I'm peddling subscriptions, and I would not take offense at that. Free and paid subscriptions are an important measurement of how my writing lands with my readers. We know about Vonnegut and Hemingway because they peddled their wares. I love writing, and I love getting paid for it too.
I agree with the last-referenced editor. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that really good writing makes me actually like the thing I didn't to start. Kathy Acker just blew me away, though I knew I wasn't going to "like" her work. I hesitate to confess something similar for Susan Sontag, but once her words penetrated my eyes (Against Interpretation, On Photography), I was just lost in awe. The inverse is also true: often I'm just dying to like someone's work, but they lose me with writing that just ain't it.
As I read this piece my mind went direct to Jimmy Baldwin. I think for craft, he's in my top 5 and I adore what he says and how he says it. And I almost always agree with him. But then maybe I'm just a sycophant :-)
As always, thanks for this post. Love your work. I find myself waiting for it and get that little happy thrill when it lands in my inbox.
Omg, I so relate to wanting to like someone's work but they lose me. And thank you for the last sentence. Some days we really need to hear that. Today was one of those double thanks
In a letter to a friend (I can’t recall who or other details) Flaubert said of his writing, “….today I was Emma, I was Rudolph, I was the horse, the trees, the dappled sunshine on the lover’s half closed eyes…”
That explains the writing process for me, more than any other description.
I found that letter reference almost 40 years ago while at the University. I’ve never found the actual letter and my quote may be a little off but close.
For me, good writing is interesting writing, and great writing happens when every single sentence does something to the reader. Unfortunately, that’s rare, because we’re all a little too enamored with our own voice, our quirks, our little tangents. We think they’re charming, and we assume readers will forgive a bit of extra fluff.
But to me, the best writers are the most ruthless.
Totally agree about using a reader’s time well. What that means, exactly, also is up for debate though. But it implies a certain thoughtfulness and intent.
"Clappers"? They used to say "fans".
LMAO. Yup. It's clappers now
It kind of takes away the feeling that people are actually interested in what you do there.
I only learned recently that I am a pantser. All the while I thought I was just Mary being Mary.
Seems juvenile to me, or at best adolescent! Yay! High five! Can we not savor the inspiration and say “it was good“?
I love that quote by Vonnegut! That's a great measure to work by/remember. And I agree about no one else's opinions matter but the reader
Right? Thanks, Caitlin
I miss Kurt Vonnegut!
Yeah. He was a force!
“ I try to leave out the parts people skip.” -Elmore Leonard
One of my favorite quotes. I think we have to be very aware of pacing now with all writing, taking into consideration the impact that social media has made, and how easily distracted we all are by everything going on.
I love that quote, too. Hemingway said most of what he writes is crap and he tried to throw the crap in the garbage. I like that one, too
I do like Vonnegut's first rule. One of the best practitioners of this rule, to my mind, is John McPhee. Even when I imagine I have no interest in his subject, he pulls me in. Every time. He's never wasted my time.
I think I knowing. I’ll have to read him.
Omg, I am so not familiar with his work. Need to google
“And I think the best thing a writer can strive for is to use the reader’s time well.”
Well said!❤️
Right? I like that, too
I only write on social media, it’s “writing in water” to borrow a phrase. I don’t even know who my readers are most of the time. But the process fascinates me and the compulsion never goes away. Will you (?!) ever become famous for your work? I have no idea. But you are a very talented writer who absolutely deserves an audience. I’m appreciative of being a part of it.
Thank you John. There are days a writer really needs to hear that. Today was one of them
This Vonnegut quote was new to me -- and I think it's maybe the best thing anyone has ever said to writers. Solid gold.
Right? I loved that one too, Jan
100 clappers clapping, and not a sound to be heard. I know the feeling. Claps don't pay the bills. Here on Substack, I get immediate feedback from the readers--no middleman like on Medium. I write here and learn what moves my readers in my little niche, I adjust and write some more.
You might say I'm peddling subscriptions, and I would not take offense at that. Free and paid subscriptions are an important measurement of how my writing lands with my readers. We know about Vonnegut and Hemingway because they peddled their wares. I love writing, and I love getting paid for it too.
Exactly. I should be peddling subscriptions, too. I just hit the number I was aiming for before I turned that on, so soon! Writers need to eat, too
Thank you for writing this piece. I feel a little less lonely.
Thank you, Eliza. That's the nicest feeling of all
I agree with the last-referenced editor. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that really good writing makes me actually like the thing I didn't to start. Kathy Acker just blew me away, though I knew I wasn't going to "like" her work. I hesitate to confess something similar for Susan Sontag, but once her words penetrated my eyes (Against Interpretation, On Photography), I was just lost in awe. The inverse is also true: often I'm just dying to like someone's work, but they lose me with writing that just ain't it.
As I read this piece my mind went direct to Jimmy Baldwin. I think for craft, he's in my top 5 and I adore what he says and how he says it. And I almost always agree with him. But then maybe I'm just a sycophant :-)
As always, thanks for this post. Love your work. I find myself waiting for it and get that little happy thrill when it lands in my inbox.
Omg, I so relate to wanting to like someone's work but they lose me. And thank you for the last sentence. Some days we really need to hear that. Today was one of those double thanks
In a letter to a friend (I can’t recall who or other details) Flaubert said of his writing, “….today I was Emma, I was Rudolph, I was the horse, the trees, the dappled sunshine on the lover’s half closed eyes…”
That explains the writing process for me, more than any other description.
Oh I love that, Grif. I must look it up to read what comes before and after it. Thank you!
I found that letter reference almost 40 years ago while at the University. I’ve never found the actual letter and my quote may be a little off but close.
Z
For me, good writing is interesting writing, and great writing happens when every single sentence does something to the reader. Unfortunately, that’s rare, because we’re all a little too enamored with our own voice, our quirks, our little tangents. We think they’re charming, and we assume readers will forgive a bit of extra fluff.
But to me, the best writers are the most ruthless.
Marina, your last sentence is gold. Ruthless is how we get there, for sure!
I love how you've written this. It calms me. Also, reading Kerouac made me feel that I had a best friend, but that we were lonely together
Omg, right? Lonely together. God I feel that to my bones some days. Thank you Seladaw :)
No problem. It's easier being lonely together :)
You referencing out favourite authors put me in such a literary mood. Also, I really think your writing is good writing.
Thank you so much, Rita :)
Totally agree about using a reader’s time well. What that means, exactly, also is up for debate though. But it implies a certain thoughtfulness and intent.
You're so right Kathy. It does imply thoughtfulness and intent. I love that!