Re: writers' encampment
Camille Scaysbrook (verona_beach@geocities.com)
Mon, 23 Mar 1998 22:35:44 +1100
I don't know about you other writers out there, but I found Scottie's post
quite moving - it's a great summary of the trials and tribulations of the
humble Writer whose environment always seems to want him or her to do
something more sensible, like become a travel agent or a bureaucrat, and
whom, as he says, spends an awful lot more time promising to write than
actually writing.
I can absolutely see your point about the unconscious rivalry that could
taint such an enterprise. It's so true that six people in a room equal six
big rampaging egos (believe me, I've worked in theatre (: ) and I would
hope that
.
>
> By & large, though, they didn't give advice about the writing itself
> or offer serious critiques of it. And that suited me fine. I didn't
> want to write like them. I wanted to write like the absolutely
> inimitable R.M.Bowman. I knew only too well where I hadn't
> managed to do what I'd intended. I already had a fair idea what
> I'd try next time. What I really needed to be told was: Yes, I had
> the real stuff.... It was only a matter of time.... Keep at it....
> They'd gone through the same uncertainties but if you never, never,
> never surrendered it all came right in the end....
>
> If a writer has forged ahead into greater literary success than
> yourself he'll tend to encourage you in the role of disciple.
> And if you're on a roughly equal footing, he'll see you as a threat
> & will probably try - hopefully unconsciously - to undermine you.
> If you've fallen behind in the race, his guilt will be such that
> he'll try to escape the contamination of failure by avoiding all
> contact.
>
> There really is no company in writing. We all seek it, of course.
> We remember the warmth of the herd. But whenever we engage
> in other pursuits - like contributing to this list - we're actually
> wasting time, sharpening pencils & putting off the horrible moment
> when we must sit down & do the one thing we're meant to be doing -
> surely one of the most futile & arduous activities known to man.
>
> Scottie B.