I think it was Marion Dane Bauer who said that she writes the same story over and over again, always about a distance between a parent and a child. And Isaac Baschevis Singer who said we all write the story of our life over and over again.
Jane Yolen says, “I really believe that to be the best writer you can be, you have to keep growing.”
Therein lies the problem for so many people, writers and non writers alike. Growth is scary. Growth is stepping off the platform dive into the unknown. Growth is recognizing that while we have already exposed one facet of ourselves we are now going to expose another and another and people will be able to see who we really are. To be the best anything, you have to be willing to stretch and grow, and that is a very difficult thing for most people to do. Because it means risking failure. If you have had success, it feels good. People expect a certain quality from you. You try to grow and try something new and what if you fail? What will people think of you then? So in not taking the chance to grow, you limit yourself the chance to fail and be judged unworthy of your previous success.
Success means different things to all of us. Literary awards, financial security, the respect of our peers, being able to write full time, being able to pay the bills, being happy.
How can we not tell the same story over and over again, at least until we discover whatever truths we were trying to learn in the telling? Not to the public, but to ourselves.
I think maybe we grow while telling the same story over and over–telling it better, telling it deeper.
I think maybe we grow while telling the same story over and over–telling it better, telling it deeper.
I think you’re right, Janni. Each new story helps us peel away a layer of ourselves and go deeper into who we are meant to be.
Maybe you tell a story until you’ve gotten it right, and then you can move on. Kids do that when they play– they work out ideas. And writing is a form of play. I notice with computer games (I like the various card and word puzzles online) that I’ll play a game for agood while and then tire of it and move to another when I’ve mastered it. Mastery– we have to master our compelling stories to write others.
Yes, I can see that too. traciezimmer posted right below you about how she can now write about 2 parents in a family so she has worked through something in the telling of her stories. I’m still working toward that but I find that the more I try to tell the same story, about fitting into a family, the more I feel myself fitting in.
Maybe you tell a story until you’ve gotten it right, and then you can move on. Kids do that when they play– they work out ideas. And writing is a form of play. I notice with computer games (I like the various card and word puzzles online) that I’ll play a game for agood while and then tire of it and move to another when I’ve mastered it. Mastery– we have to master our compelling stories to write others.
Yes, I can see that too. traciezimmer posted right below you about how she can now write about 2 parents in a family so she has worked through something in the telling of her stories. I’m still working toward that but I find that the more I try to tell the same story, about fitting into a family, the more I feel myself fitting in.
Dial into this “success and popularity”….
It’s probably true in writing and art. It’s definitely true in music. Once an artist has told his/her story in a song, an album…and it is recognized and accepted by the public and a certain or grand amount of success is given to the artist… Isn’t it difficult to grow? for fear of losing that acceptance?
Why so many sophmore projects fail? Too much like the first or too much of a change….
It’s gotta be a tough question…a tough decision…
But so important!
Yep…it’s a constant balance, do you repeat yourself and settle for the calm that goes with repeated success or do you push yourself into the chaos of new ground?
For me I think even when I believe I am pushing myself into a new area, I am still telling a story with a familar skeleton.
I also think creative types like us should take some time to really figure out what success means to us. I had a coach work with me on that for a while, to define success for me in 3 three lines that each started with “I know I’m successful when…”
It’s harder than it looks.
You make me think too much, Susan! ;p
Thinking is good, Haemi. 😉
Your post gave me chills. You touched something I’ve been thinking about. Thank you.
Glad to hear it touched something in you. It’s something I think about a lot….am I trying to be successful for the right reasons? the wrong reasons? Someone else’s reasons? See my note to Slatts above here.
Your post gave me chills. You touched something I’ve been thinking about. Thank you.
Glad to hear it touched something in you. It’s something I think about a lot….am I trying to be successful for the right reasons? the wrong reasons? Someone else’s reasons? See my note to Slatts above here.
Re: Over and over
This was funny to read because I just figured out that part of my problem was trying to write about a “happy” two parent family and I just couldn’t. Had to kill the mom. Just HAD to. And I wonder, if we get all healed, what will we write about then?
oooh, now I’m anxious for you to write it and get it out on the shelves. Sounds very interesting!