Re: writers' encampment - complete copy

Camille Scaysbrook (verona_beach@geocities.com)
Mon, 23 Mar 1998 22:49:58 +1100 

Sorry for incomplete message - one click in the wrong place and wham!

Here's the whole message.

 > > 
> > 	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.  

> > 	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.  
> > 

 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 as this. It's so true that six people in a room
equal six
 big rampaging egos (believe me, I've worked in theatre (: - there's some
mighty delicate egos there! ) and I'm certainly not aiming to teach anyone
how to write. 

Using the aforementioned net play that I'm involved in as an example - the
play was begun at World Interplay 1998 - The International Festival of
Young Playwrights. The skills of the people involved (basically the cream
of the youthful crop from 17 different countries) blew my mind - I was in
awe of their achievements. Yet as soon as they became another letter in my
e-mail box, a great process of equalization seemed to occur. I'm not saying
we aren't all trying to outdo each other, and that occasionally someone's
style of writing may not annoy you - but I actually think there can be
merit in such vicarious competition - `I'll show YOU!' can also become
`I'll show ME!'

> >        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....     

THIS is exactly what I'd hope - maybe I'm a fond socialist, but - a mutual
support group. Because, as you say ...

> > 	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.

I also find that starting is the hardest part, and talking to other writers
we all agreed that the self-discipline - sticking to self made deadlines
and such - is something that is improved when someone else is actually
relying on you to produce something. That's how it is for me, anyway -
everyone is of course different. You've made a lot of good points. I'd
still like to try the idea out though, no matter if it is a big crashing
disaster, at least it'll be one we're bound to learn from. I really hope
you'll join us as I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that all us bananafishes
have already earned a lot of respect for you.

Camille Scaysbrook

verona_beach@geocities.com
THE ARTS HOLE
@ http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/6442