Aw Crap, I'm Truman Capote-ing

[MichelleLovesTo]

This is my term for being a writer who doesn't write -- striking a pose. Truman Capote was a talented writer who eventually stopped writing much, instead choosing to party with the rich and famous by using his fame as a writer. I'm pretty sure he always made noises about working on this or that -- oh wait, that's me!

Basically, when I'm feeling at a crossroads with an story, it's easier for me to talk about being a writer, and hang with other writers than to actually with through my story issues.

I suck.

When I'm writing my husband cleans the house and does not expect much from me in the way of interaction, or housework, or cooking -- and if that's not incentive....

 

[TheEarl]

This is my term for being a writer who doesn't write -- striking a pose. Truman Capote was a talented writer who eventually stopped writing much, instead choosing to party with the rich and famous by using his fame as a writer. I'm pretty sure he always made noises about working on this or that -- oh wait, that's me!

Basically, when I'm feeling at a crossroads with an story, it's easier for me to talk about being a writer, and hang with other writers than to actually with through my story issues.

I suck.

When I'm writing my husband cleans the house and does not expect much from me in the way of interaction, or housework, or cooking -- and if that's not incentive....

Oh, I know just how you feel. What you need to do is what I need to do. Sit down and write. You and I get to do nothing else until you've finished a passage and I've finished a scene of my screenplay. Deal?

The Earl

 

[MichelleLovesTo]

Oh, I know just how you feel. What you need to do is what I need to do. Sit down and write. You and I get to do nothing else until you've finished a passage and I've finished a scene of my screenplay. Deal?

The Earl

By answering this, have I already screwed up?

Liking the idea...

 

[TheEarl]

Then we'll go and post here whne we've finished our section!

May god help us all!

The Earl

 

[MichelleLovesTo]

Then we'll go and post here whne we've finished our section!

May god help us all!

The Earl

Deal!

 

[impressive]

I suck.

Write about it, then!

 

[BlackShanglan]

I love your use of that name as a verb.

There's this to consider. It's true, one can't be a writer simply by posing as one. However, a writer should also know when s/he has nothing to say. It's extremely frustrating, of course, to feel that one is a writer and to not have anything to write at the moment - but better to know that than to write simply because one wants to speak. Go down that path, and you might end up an overly verbose horse.

I think it was Ford Maddox Ford (author of "The Good Soldier"? Can anyone correct me there?) who wrote that he waited until thirty-five to write his first novel, because in his opinion younger people rarely had much to say. It's a very good novel, and I think good proof of that theory. I think that younger people do actually often have more to say, of course; if nothing else, it would be very unfortunate if John Keats, Earnest Dowson, or John Millington Synge had taken that advice. But I think the key thing in there is the author's recognition that he had nothing profound to say, and that it was better to await wisdom while honing his craft reading, studying, and working as a journalist than to try to force out a great work of fiction that wasn't in him.

Take that with a grain of salt, of course. I wrote almost nothing personal for nearly ten years. I knew I was immature and had nothing to say. Of course, I probably still am and still don't, but now I don't know it anymore.

Shanglan

 

[TheEarl]

Finished! One scene of my screenplay turned out. Huzzah.

The Earl

 

[Liar]

Meh, I could really need that kind of dicipline.

But I'm a slack and a schmuck, and I Capote without shame anyway so...naah.

 

[TheEarl]

Meh, I could really need that kind of dicipline.

But I'm a slack and a schmuck, and I Capote without shame anyway so...naah.

Hey, I've been faffing over that scene for weeks. T'was the lady who encouraged me, "Fool, look into your heart and write!"

10p for the person who can name the signature.

The Earl

 

[TheEarl]

That's a long passage you're working on there Michelle.

The Earl

 

[MichelleLovesTo]

That's a long passage you're working on there Michelle.

The Earl

LOL, well, no internet at home, so no way to comment when I was done.

Um, I'm done!

Thanks and congratulations!

 

[TheEarl]

No, no, thank you. Just finished the piece I was working on and never would've done so without this kick up the arse.

The Earl

 

[MichelleLovesTo]

No, no, thank you. Just finished the piece I was working on and never would've done so without this kick up the arse.

The Earl

Now we're <insert the name of someone prolific>ing.

 

[Purple Sage]

Now we're <insert the name of someone prolific>ing.

"Wodehousing"?