From the Archives | Building piles and piles of words is not enough. Good writing has a raw, disobedient quality, a feral disposition. So how do we achieve that?
"Writing should feel like a wrestling match—a grueling effort that leaves us spent and bruised." and it certainly does feel like that sometimes, lol. Thank you for a wonderful encapsulation of thoughts I often have myself: on the reading, the openness and awe with which to be in the world, the willingness to dedicate a life to get the words to leap off the page just the way you intended them to.
What's your novel about? Just curious (hope it's okay to ask)--
Mine's based on the life and family of one of my brothers (half brother on my birth mother's side), and their struggles with drugs, jail, and foster care. It's changed a lot over time. Started as first-person, now in what I call third intimate, where, in part, the character becomes the camera. Started in present tense, changed to past. I have a few chapters I like (I think; my understanding of story and structure have evolved, and I suspect I may need to start over once more), and an outline of the rest, but I've a long way to go. I liken writing a novel to crossing a desert on foot.
It's about a near tragedy in a small, idealistic school community, and the aftermath of blame and dysfunction. It's in first-person (for now). I agree with you on the idea of novel writing being like crossing a desert on foot!
I just finished Mary Oliver's Primitive and it's taken over my being. "In the Pine Woods, Crow and Owl" follows me everywhere. Can you recommend other poetry collections?
I really liked this, especially the part about reading poetry. I love the phrase "close reading for the craft of it". I think something similar happens when you translate a literary text; you really have to get the craft of it to be able to make a good version in another language.
Thanks for this super insightful post, Jeannine! “We need to sit quietly in the dark, even if it hurts” eloquently portrays the discomfort that I’m learning to become comfortable with. I’m curious if you have any advice on how to be a writer outside of everyday disposition and wordsmithing. I’m writing a nonfiction book with a reporting angle, and I obviously have to spend a lot of time finding and interviewing sources as well as researching my topic. I’m in the early stages and there are days I don’t have time (let alone new material) to also do some actual writing. But something within me fears I’m not doing enough / being good enough if I don’t write a little bit every day. Should I listen to that something? What does “enough” look like in the writing practice of an emergent nonfiction storyteller? Thank you so much.
Enrica, I also have a background in journalism and also academic writing, so this is such a thoughtful question for me to ponder. I would love to answer it in an upcoming Lit Salon post if you are willing! You can read past posts here. This series publishes every Monday. https://writinginthedark.substack.com/t/lit-salon
I needed to read this today. I am wrestling with my writing right now. I started a memoir in January and wrote 70,000 words. I stepped away from the project in May, am now getting back to it and feeling overwhelmed. To get my head into the right space, I've been immersing myself in the culture of the 80s and 90(music, reading etc...), which is the time period of the story. It brings up memories and feelings and it can be a lot just doing that. The emotions and then I am reading other books constantly. Sometimes I think I am reading too much and overloading my brain.
Feeling like I'm on a raft with no sight of shore and which way to paddle. Writing in the dark? So it seems-- LOL.
I am thinking that taking on a full memoir project was pretty grandiose of me. I only got back to a regular writing practice in March 2022. Recently I have been trying out writing shorter essays and finding it so much harder. Trying to write a piece and stay within 1200 words for a publication was painful. I fear if I do not enjoy what I am doing, I don't know how I will continue and I really want to write this book. I've wanted it for a long time.
So far, I've been mostly working alone. Maybe it would help to have more connection to other writers. But I find reading all of the advice on this platform and others de-energizing and it makes me mentally shut down. I can't seem to grab onto anything or connect with it.
I think I am one of those people who needs in person interaction or at least less anonymity than the internet. It all feels so random, disconnected and unreal to me.
One caveat. I have a full-time career in marketing and my job demands quite a bit of me. Whatever I do will need to be early mornings or evenings and weekends. I am so jealous of people who can spend some time on the craft. I feel like my time is short and I need to work smartly.
I realize this is not an advice column, but here I am. Any advice for me?
"Writing should feel like a wrestling match—a grueling effort that leaves us spent and bruised." and it certainly does feel like that sometimes, lol. Thank you for a wonderful encapsulation of thoughts I often have myself: on the reading, the openness and awe with which to be in the world, the willingness to dedicate a life to get the words to leap off the page just the way you intended them to.
Yay, I am so glad it resonates xo
What's your novel about? Just curious (hope it's okay to ask)--
Mine's based on the life and family of one of my brothers (half brother on my birth mother's side), and their struggles with drugs, jail, and foster care. It's changed a lot over time. Started as first-person, now in what I call third intimate, where, in part, the character becomes the camera. Started in present tense, changed to past. I have a few chapters I like (I think; my understanding of story and structure have evolved, and I suspect I may need to start over once more), and an outline of the rest, but I've a long way to go. I liken writing a novel to crossing a desert on foot.
It's about a near tragedy in a small, idealistic school community, and the aftermath of blame and dysfunction. It's in first-person (for now). I agree with you on the idea of novel writing being like crossing a desert on foot!
I just finished Mary Oliver's Primitive and it's taken over my being. "In the Pine Woods, Crow and Owl" follows me everywhere. Can you recommend other poetry collections?
Yes!! Have you tried Maggie Smith, Sharon Olds, Ellen Bass, Marie Howe, Dorianne Laux, Kim Addonizio, Mark Doty, Wendell Berry? For starters!
Also Ocean Vuong, Joy Harjo, Maya Angelou, Lucille Clifton, Jane Kenyon, Ada Limon, Jane Hirshfield
Thank you for this.
You are so welcome ❤️
I really liked this, especially the part about reading poetry. I love the phrase "close reading for the craft of it". I think something similar happens when you translate a literary text; you really have to get the craft of it to be able to make a good version in another language.
Thank you, Jeffrey! I love this bit about translation -- absolutely. Yes!
Thanks for this super insightful post, Jeannine! “We need to sit quietly in the dark, even if it hurts” eloquently portrays the discomfort that I’m learning to become comfortable with. I’m curious if you have any advice on how to be a writer outside of everyday disposition and wordsmithing. I’m writing a nonfiction book with a reporting angle, and I obviously have to spend a lot of time finding and interviewing sources as well as researching my topic. I’m in the early stages and there are days I don’t have time (let alone new material) to also do some actual writing. But something within me fears I’m not doing enough / being good enough if I don’t write a little bit every day. Should I listen to that something? What does “enough” look like in the writing practice of an emergent nonfiction storyteller? Thank you so much.
Enrica, I also have a background in journalism and also academic writing, so this is such a thoughtful question for me to ponder. I would love to answer it in an upcoming Lit Salon post if you are willing! You can read past posts here. This series publishes every Monday. https://writinginthedark.substack.com/t/lit-salon
Absolutely! I’d be honored, and I look forward to reading your ever-insightful thoughts on this topic as well! Thank you!
Yay!! I’ll put it in the queue!
Love this insight as I work on my own journey in writing. Thank you.
You are so welcome!!
I needed to read this today. I am wrestling with my writing right now. I started a memoir in January and wrote 70,000 words. I stepped away from the project in May, am now getting back to it and feeling overwhelmed. To get my head into the right space, I've been immersing myself in the culture of the 80s and 90(music, reading etc...), which is the time period of the story. It brings up memories and feelings and it can be a lot just doing that. The emotions and then I am reading other books constantly. Sometimes I think I am reading too much and overloading my brain.
Feeling like I'm on a raft with no sight of shore and which way to paddle. Writing in the dark? So it seems-- LOL.
I am thinking that taking on a full memoir project was pretty grandiose of me. I only got back to a regular writing practice in March 2022. Recently I have been trying out writing shorter essays and finding it so much harder. Trying to write a piece and stay within 1200 words for a publication was painful. I fear if I do not enjoy what I am doing, I don't know how I will continue and I really want to write this book. I've wanted it for a long time.
So far, I've been mostly working alone. Maybe it would help to have more connection to other writers. But I find reading all of the advice on this platform and others de-energizing and it makes me mentally shut down. I can't seem to grab onto anything or connect with it.
I think I am one of those people who needs in person interaction or at least less anonymity than the internet. It all feels so random, disconnected and unreal to me.
One caveat. I have a full-time career in marketing and my job demands quite a bit of me. Whatever I do will need to be early mornings or evenings and weekends. I am so jealous of people who can spend some time on the craft. I feel like my time is short and I need to work smartly.
I realize this is not an advice column, but here I am. Any advice for me?