How can anyone write the perfect novel when writers
and readers are both imperfect, fallible human beings, having subjective
opinions? As Abraham Lincoln says, “You can
fool (please) some of the people, some of the time, but you can’t fool (please)
all the people all the time.” However, I
think there is somewhat of an answer – if an author gives their full passion
and writes the real story hidden in their hearts, not the one they think will
please their peers, then they will have written the perfect novel – for them.
I’ve read many novels over the years that I could tell
instantly were written in the ‘market formula’ and designed for a specific
target, and hitting all the high points in order to make a financial
investment. The writing community calls
these ‘commercialized’ novels. While
they have a plot, and hit the sensationalized points of a story, they too often
miss the ‘heart’ of the story, lacking depth of character or true
intimacy. There’s nothing wrong writing
this way, this is how many writers earn a paycheck, but I personally think it
robs not only the reader of a great story, but the writer of the pride of truly
sharing the true gifts given to them.
It doesn’t take much intelligence or skill to write
sensationalism. Just about anything
these days are open for discussion, no matter how objective, subjective,
offensive, or taboo they may be. Pushing
the boundaries is often what sells the best.
The more rude, crude and plain out hateful, controversial and offensive
someone can write - the more sales they make.
But, what have such writers really done?
They’ve prostituted their gift for a price. They have their reward. It’s not only what is written on the page
that makes the story, but it must be combined with the heart and purpose behind
it. If there is no heart or purpose, it’s
just meaningless words – vanity; a chasing after the wind.
As you sit at your keyboard, notepad or typewriter
today and the story begins to flow, ask yourself how much of you are you putting into this
story? Is this story the best you can offer? Are you making yourself vulnerable to your
gift? Are you writing the story in your heart, or are you
editing for commercial sake? Does this
story make you happy, or are you
concerned if it will make someone else
happy? If your novel isn’t perfect for
you – it won’t be perfect for anyone else.
It’s your name on it, not theirs.
Till
next time,
~T.L.
Gray
"The more rude, crude and plain out hateful, controversial and offensive someone can write - the more sales they make."
ReplyDeleteWhat did you have in mind, specifically? Most big best-selling fiction is the opposite of this: generic, unprovocative, mediocre and so middle of the road it can be read by the most reactionary Christian fundamentalist without offence.
Controversial books are a tough sell, whether they are fact or fiction. If they weren't, they wouldn't be controversial. If someone has to put their reputation and finances on the line, stating unpopular opinions, how can that possibly be "prostituting" their art?
Commercial writing is market driven and the last thing the market wants is something that is going to alienate people. Stephenie Myer and Nora Roberts are highly commercial authors, and the only way they offend is by parading mediocrity so breathtaking it would put you to sleep.
Thanks for this post! It was really interesting to read as a reader and not an author, it's strange to think that not all authors inject their own personalities in their books which is a shame :(
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