Re: advice to the aspiring
WILL HOCHMAN (hochman@uscolo.edu)
Thu, 16 Apr 1998 14:07:02 -0600 (MDT)
Dear Scottie,
I thought the poem was by Billy Collins...and congratultions on your
self-learning and novel writing, but I still don't see why books on craft
are not helpful for some writers (I believe mr. salinger wrote an intro to
such a book by Whit and Halie Burnett).
I don't know of your work or any of the folks you mention, though I think
it is impressive that your work was reviewed in the journals and magazines
you mention. I do think your attempt to belittle Mr. Wayne C. Booth is a
little bit silly, but the point is that I do agree that most of writing is
self-taught...but in my own process of self-teaching and writing, as well
as in teaching writing, guidance from insightful folks about how fiction,
poetry and prose work has made a difference. Yes, some folks are so
talented and strong I can't imagine them stopping to listen to listen to
a Booth or Burroway, but I also can't imagine a Hem or jds not knowing
that stuff cold.
But other folks may need reminders and find inspiration in hanging
ideas on skeletons of craft made visible by such literary "x-rayers" as
Booth or Burroway...I think I mentioned in a post a few days or weeks ago
that mr. salinger was mighty fond of Mr. Edmund Wilson--though before you
explode I would also agree that mr. salinger was clear about learning to
write from reading and would not likely want to discuss more "how to"
learning than he already has in his admiration for Whit Burnet's
guidance...(though I would give much to know what went on between
mr.salinger and mr. shawn at the new yorker...;)will
On Thu, 16 Apr 1998, Scottie Bowman wrote:
>
> Yes, Will, I did realise the poem was written by Billy Jones.
> My shorthand reference was simply a quick way of thanking
> Malcolm for letting us see it.
>
> But as for: `...Deciding what writers should know and how it
> works is the writer's job, not yours...'
>
> Now, that sounds ever so slightly menacing. As if I should keep
> my pesky nose out of other people's business & not presume
> to advise writers how they should go about their work. But, Will,
> I *am* a writer. A long time ago admittedly, but there they are
> on the shelf, two well received novels & - somewhere in the attic -
> all the high class reviews (Spectator, London Times, Guardian,
> Irish Times, Good Housekeeping Book of the Month for
> May 1966?.....honest) as well as the personal notes from
> Elizabeth Bowen, Claire Tomalin, etc., etc. I even, after all these
> years, have an agent (Mark Hamilton) who keeps asking for
> Godsake cut out the medical nonsense & do the business.....
>
> I realise there may be special rules on this list but surely if
> I think writers are advised not to put their faith in `How To'
> manuals & to trust to their own instincts I don't deserve to
> be quietened for my impudence.
>
> Writing seems to me to one of the many things in this cruel
> world that must be learned & can't be taught. If Dr Hemingway
> or Meister Salinger had written books of instruction I should
> be tempted to start taking notes. But when others advise me
> the best way to go about it - what to bear in mind, how to start
> & so on - I'm reminded of those authors of `How to make a million
> on the Stock Exchange.' One wonders why they want to pass on
> their secrets to me, why they expose themselves to the labours
> of writing from what must presume is the comfort of their own
> personal tropic island. If Wayne Booth or whoever knows how to,
> why doesn't he do it ? Maybe he does. But if so, the word hasn't
> reached here yet.
>
> Scottie B.
>