literary aspiration

[caddyman]

I have been reflecting, with a certain lazy envy, on the fact that three of my friends have published books in the last twelve months. That’s two novels and one political tract.

I think I like the idea of writing a novel more than I do the actual writing. It does not help that I have neither an idea for a plot nor a steady written style. I am also less than sure that I have the stamina to stick at it, should I obtain a plot and concentrate on maintaining a written voice. The thought of clutching a book that is all my own work appeals immensely, even if no-one else buys it. The thought of actually sitting in front of the computer to write it appeals much less.

All that happens when I try to write something more important than a journal entry is that I end up googling my way around the internet and discovering dust bunnies under my desk. My coffee consumption, already high, sky rockets and the pleasure I get from staring into space thinking of tumbleweed and the colour purple expands to fill all available memory. Looking back on it, I find that I can no longer work out how I ever wrote anything for NWO games and even the reality of that is that my written contribution was less than my memory makes it.

I have been amused in a way that I know the author probably won’t be to find that if I google the title of one friend’s novel, I get a couple of hits on Shakespeare and TS Eliot, one on the book itself and innumerable hits on Andromeda, the sci-fi show least admired by the man in question.

Rather than writing anything of value yet again, I find myself contemplating with wonder the nefarious ways and means of the Karma Pixies

Comments

[bluesman.livejournal.com]

Your dilemma reminds me of that of a certain Nigel Burton, who often wistfully expressed to me the desire to write The Great British Novel, knowing he never would. I told him that his endearing cynicism would make for an engaging writing style. Unfortunately, his e-mails, with all the style and wit of the average shopping list, attest that he is incapable of writing like he speaks.

Having written a novel myself, that no-one should ever read, I can say that I adored every moment of writing it. Just start writing, Bry, when you get a plot. You can always go back and tweak the style.

[littleonionz.livejournal.com]

Do you think blogging helps or hinders the writing process thing? Some people are of the opinion that it dissipates energy, best spent on 'proper' writing; others, that it w'arms you up' and helps develop a style?
Eliot; Oh The Waste land, such a wealth of knowledge and reference embedded within, so many allusions. I love it for that...denseness of shout outs to the lit massif. But I'll always have a soft spot for the elegance of Henry James.

[pax-draconis.livejournal.com]

Life is so unfair.