Wow, this piece gets to the essence of my battle with writing (or more accurately, with myself). I have always wanted to write because great writing inspires me, but I run up against all the obstacles you mention. Too many inspirations to name, but here are a few: Louise Erdrich, Colson Whitehead, Jessmyn Ward, David Sedaris, Harper Lee, George Saunders, Jhumpa Lahiri, Jonathan Franzen, Edith Wharton. Yeah, I've set the bar a little high...
Maria, what a list of legends! I think the fact that you appreciate great writing already means you've absorbed their influences and can now strike out on your own. There's a group a friend formed where new (and established) writers read short work on Zoom - no judgment - just encouragement. Let me know if you'd like more info!
Thank you, Meta! I have been working on a novel for more years than I care to admit. I would be interested in learning more about the group you mentioned. I look forward to reading more of your posts!
I love Elizabeth Gilbert. I'm always quoting Big Magic in my work. Her fiction is fantastic too. I'm both inspired and sometimes have what you describe, that feeling that I will never be as good as that
Joan Didion? Plucked from the pantheon of best writers. I found myself marveling at her sentences as I read her books. Asking myself how did she do this? How does she pack so much insight and description into a sentence? I would, on occasion, deconstruct one of her sentences trying to understand from where this magnificence derives? Does she walk through the world with such real-time perception? Or does she tinker on a phrase like Michelangelo with a chisel? Coaxing a masterpiece from the block of stone. I surmised ultimately that she had gained a sort of second-sight that allowed her to read people instantly. I’m convinced this x-ray vision was so burdensome in daily life that she became reclusive…just a theory.
Thank you, Meta, for choosing Joan Didion as the unapproachable paradigm. Perfect! So, perhaps I’ll never write as well as Joan, but maybe I’ll aspire to be clever enough to be at the same cocktail party… wouldn’t that have been interesting?
Already enjoying your thoughts on page fright. Thank you.
“Part of what I want to tell you is what it is like to be young in New York, how six months can become eight years with the deceptive ease of a film dissolve, for that is how those years appear to me now, in a long sequence of sentimental dissolves and old-fashioned trick shots—the Seagram Building fountains dissolve into snowflakes, I enter a revolving door at twenty and come out a good dealer older, and on a different street.” --
This was an incredible read and just what I needed today. Thank you! Loved this bit particularly: "Don't write to become the next Joan Didion. Write to become the next best version of you." I have so many I compare myself to/aspire to be/know I'll never be. I am too bashful to share my list LOL, but thank you for raising the question and inspiring me!
I learned so much and you got more insight on “my” Joan.
I think we can also write because it feeds the soul and expresses what we hold inside — and we write to share what life has taught us, and in that instance the content far is more critical than the prose.
Ah, *your* Joan. We all claim her as our own. It was so wonderful to get to see her together, twice! Your comment is super insightful - thanks for contributing to this discussion!
Lovely piece and great advice. We all need a reason to write and be inspired rather than intimidated by the work pf great writers. So often, the problem is lack of feedback, and affirmation. We humans rely on external reaction to learn. It doesn't help when it doesn't come (or comes in a short form rejection email).
Nora Ephron, for sure, but as a screenwriter I’m also in awe of Nancy Meyers. Both of them have the giant talent to pick just the right words. My talent still doesn’t match my taste but I’m doing my thing anyway. Thank you for the inspiration!
Wow, this piece gets to the essence of my battle with writing (or more accurately, with myself). I have always wanted to write because great writing inspires me, but I run up against all the obstacles you mention. Too many inspirations to name, but here are a few: Louise Erdrich, Colson Whitehead, Jessmyn Ward, David Sedaris, Harper Lee, George Saunders, Jhumpa Lahiri, Jonathan Franzen, Edith Wharton. Yeah, I've set the bar a little high...
Maria, what a list of legends! I think the fact that you appreciate great writing already means you've absorbed their influences and can now strike out on your own. There's a group a friend formed where new (and established) writers read short work on Zoom - no judgment - just encouragement. Let me know if you'd like more info!
Thank you, Meta! I have been working on a novel for more years than I care to admit. I would be interested in learning more about the group you mentioned. I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Thanks, Maria. I'll email you the info!
I love Elizabeth Gilbert. I'm always quoting Big Magic in my work. Her fiction is fantastic too. I'm both inspired and sometimes have what you describe, that feeling that I will never be as good as that
Thanks for this. I love how she seems so humble despite her success.
Joan Didion? Plucked from the pantheon of best writers. I found myself marveling at her sentences as I read her books. Asking myself how did she do this? How does she pack so much insight and description into a sentence? I would, on occasion, deconstruct one of her sentences trying to understand from where this magnificence derives? Does she walk through the world with such real-time perception? Or does she tinker on a phrase like Michelangelo with a chisel? Coaxing a masterpiece from the block of stone. I surmised ultimately that she had gained a sort of second-sight that allowed her to read people instantly. I’m convinced this x-ray vision was so burdensome in daily life that she became reclusive…just a theory.
Thank you, Meta, for choosing Joan Didion as the unapproachable paradigm. Perfect! So, perhaps I’ll never write as well as Joan, but maybe I’ll aspire to be clever enough to be at the same cocktail party… wouldn’t that have been interesting?
Already enjoying your thoughts on page fright. Thank you.
Brian, these are such beautifully expressed thoughts. I especially like imagining Didion tinkering on a phrase like Michelangelo with a chisel!
“Part of what I want to tell you is what it is like to be young in New York, how six months can become eight years with the deceptive ease of a film dissolve, for that is how those years appear to me now, in a long sequence of sentimental dissolves and old-fashioned trick shots—the Seagram Building fountains dissolve into snowflakes, I enter a revolving door at twenty and come out a good dealer older, and on a different street.” --
Yes, that is a lovely sentence!
Just one of SO many lovely ones!
Congrats on Page Fright! This a great piece, and the lessons can be applied any place we allow holding ourselves to crazy standards to stop us.
Thanks, Susan! I agree that this is hopefully applicable to not just writing but other areas in life, too.
This was incredible! You are a gem.
Thank you, Haley. Right back at you.
This was an incredible read and just what I needed today. Thank you! Loved this bit particularly: "Don't write to become the next Joan Didion. Write to become the next best version of you." I have so many I compare myself to/aspire to be/know I'll never be. I am too bashful to share my list LOL, but thank you for raising the question and inspiring me!
Thanks, Lu. I can't wait 'til more of your work is out in the world. The world needs it. xoxo
Fantastic launch Meta!
I learned so much and you got more insight on “my” Joan.
I think we can also write because it feeds the soul and expresses what we hold inside — and we write to share what life has taught us, and in that instance the content far is more critical than the prose.
All writers should be kind to themselves.
Ah, *your* Joan. We all claim her as our own. It was so wonderful to get to see her together, twice! Your comment is super insightful - thanks for contributing to this discussion!
Right but would you have sat in the front row if not coerced? ;-)
Thanks to Page Fright Joan's legacy continues to enrich.
Ha!
Lovely piece and great advice. We all need a reason to write and be inspired rather than intimidated by the work pf great writers. So often, the problem is lack of feedback, and affirmation. We humans rely on external reaction to learn. It doesn't help when it doesn't come (or comes in a short form rejection email).
Thanks, Afarin. I hear you're very far along on a novel. So excited for you!
I am, when you have some time, we can chat about it.
Yes, that would be great!
Your first issue is chock full of inspiration and comforting thoughts. It feels like a hug from one writer to another writer!
Thank you, Delia! I love that way of thinking about it.
Nora Ephron, for sure, but as a screenwriter I’m also in awe of Nancy Meyers. Both of them have the giant talent to pick just the right words. My talent still doesn’t match my taste but I’m doing my thing anyway. Thank you for the inspiration!
Erin, your talent is already inspiring (and maybe even intimidating)!
I love those old timey (as in when we were kids) sayings--your mother was wise (as are you)!