PS The novel I tried to write in 5th grade borrowed from three of my faves: Narnia, Boxcar Children (original), and My Side of the Mountain. I've long since lost the notebooks but I still remember some key themes. In some ways, my current novel comes back to these early obsessions.
Christine, have you read Kathleen Schmidt's post or listened to Brad Listi's interview with her about publishing being broken? I listened actively, agreeing and disagreeing, and it really got me thinking about the role of readers and writers. One argument Schmidt makes is that far fewer books should be published, so that publishers can fully market the ones they do publish, which she thinks they should do by trying new methods and appealing not just to readers but to consumers who share connection points with the book. That idea makes sense, but it's easier said than done, because so many people in our culture of ever-splintering attention spans just do not read literary books, even if they relate to a subject they're interested in. But whether we're talking about solving the business problems of publishing or the need-to-eat problems of writers creating for an audience who has less and less attention to devote to reading, it's a harsh reality for those of us compelled to express ourselves in long form prose. I can understand why you're tired and questioning. I love the way you contribute to the culture of books and their writers. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2AFSm5KM4iFj5odLBWLADB?si=f5e4b76f3b914ad9
I haven't seen that episode - I'm going to listen soon; needless to say, it's a topic of extreme interest to me. It's an infernally thorny problem too--publishing fewer books would be a good idea, but it also points to the fact we have too few readers. If even 5% more people read and bought books, that would be a serious boon/uplift. And the commerce v. art dynamic is likewise complex - I get that publishers need to make money (but i also think they do not need to overpay for many of the titles they pay astronomical amounts of money for).
I realize there are pros and cons to a lot of the decisions and ways business is conducted but still I do think there could be smarter solutions. But everyone would have to agree to enforce them and not everyone would.
I love writing short stories for all the reasons you've suggested--developing a character (quickly), and getting the POV and pacing down. What I find challenging is the requirement for shorter short stories--not flash fiction but websites (including mine) asking for 2500 words or less. That's a lot of arc to cover in a short span, but the discipline pays off.
My MFA thesis was a short story collection. Those stories have been published in journals and won national awards. I planned to revise that collection and work on my germ of a novel but, whelp, MS that derailed my life and life plans -- not just dealing with the illness and disability but medical bills, insurance, hospitalizations, ableism. Spoon theory is also a thing as my health, in the words of Porochista Khakpour, is now my full-time job on top of everything else
Those years though have matured my writing and the novel I'm working on. I could have never written or worked on this novel in grad school without all this crap under my belt. Sadly now, I have no advisor or workshop for critical feedback as I work on it. And no -' I'm not getting a 2nd MFA.
I really think writing short stories is the best way to learn how to write character, interiority, also POV and pacing. If you can find a few other writers to form a group with (maybe you've done this in the past?) I know that's been helpful for quite a few novelists. Or an accountability partner--I've heard this works well for some too. Checking in every day or two with this person on their progress and yours on your WiP.
I will see if I can come up with any other ideas. I know The Writers in Glencoe (which meets on Zoom) is looking for new members, but I'm not sure it's what you're looking for. They have an outside, rotating mentor (I've worked with them a few times) who comes in to give notes on 2 members' submissions every other week I think it is.
Thank you. I'm looking for critical and constructive feedback on what I've written and still need to write. I've heard of The Writers but don't know how they are structured. I'd like a writing group to also be a community where we help each other and not compete with each other. I've been in bad workshops in the past and some people are just plain nasty and insulted. I don't have the time or energy for egos and narcissism. I'm mindful where I spoon out my limited health and energy (MS and other autoimmune diseases have a lot of clinical fatigue. It's like running a marathon with the flu.)
I really hope you'll find a good helpmate or two soon. Btw, I teach "Needs" all the time - I assigned it in the flash class I'm teaching for Stanford Cont'g Studies this fall (first class is next Mon.) ❤️
Wow. Thank you! I'm still humbled all these years later. I did find a long-project writing group today via Meet-Up. The organizer lives in Edgewater and likes a lot of the writers I do. His intro. for his group seemed colleageal. It centers on accountability as well as bouncing ideas off of one another regarding our current long-writing project. We'll see!
I love the idea of 12-y-o you writing Thorn Birds fan fic! I watched the whole series on a 5-inch B&W tv in my Ohio bedroom. I've been all over in my writing life: Got my PhD with fiction as the focus, then turned to nonfiction, then graphic nonfiction, and am now returning to work on some combo of a novel with graphic components? I dunno. Anyway, thanks for these thoughts--and thanks for recommending my substack! xo
This sings to every writer everywhere. It’s a balance that can’t always be had. I gave up a long time ago on trying to find it, and come to the realization over the years that if I can satisfy me, I’m good. Luckily people read my stuff and I’ve sold some books. But the day job remains. And the battle for balance -- knowing when things are rotten or ripe will forever be.
Oh, how loudly I hear you! It's a nearly daily struggle between "why bother" and "but I can't not write these books that are developing in my head whether I want them to or not," and the latter always wins. Which is sometimes infuriating, me being in the old-and-tired camp. Anyway, thanks for your honesty, and for sending me to Allison Epstein's fabulous Substack.
This is spot on!
Thank you, Barbara - it's a hard knock life! ;)
PS The novel I tried to write in 5th grade borrowed from three of my faves: Narnia, Boxcar Children (original), and My Side of the Mountain. I've long since lost the notebooks but I still remember some key themes. In some ways, my current novel comes back to these early obsessions.
I love that you did that! I think we both tried writing at this age because we didn't want to leave those books' worlds.
True. Still don't!
Christine, have you read Kathleen Schmidt's post or listened to Brad Listi's interview with her about publishing being broken? I listened actively, agreeing and disagreeing, and it really got me thinking about the role of readers and writers. One argument Schmidt makes is that far fewer books should be published, so that publishers can fully market the ones they do publish, which she thinks they should do by trying new methods and appealing not just to readers but to consumers who share connection points with the book. That idea makes sense, but it's easier said than done, because so many people in our culture of ever-splintering attention spans just do not read literary books, even if they relate to a subject they're interested in. But whether we're talking about solving the business problems of publishing or the need-to-eat problems of writers creating for an audience who has less and less attention to devote to reading, it's a harsh reality for those of us compelled to express ourselves in long form prose. I can understand why you're tired and questioning. I love the way you contribute to the culture of books and their writers. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2AFSm5KM4iFj5odLBWLADB?si=f5e4b76f3b914ad9
I haven't seen that episode - I'm going to listen soon; needless to say, it's a topic of extreme interest to me. It's an infernally thorny problem too--publishing fewer books would be a good idea, but it also points to the fact we have too few readers. If even 5% more people read and bought books, that would be a serious boon/uplift. And the commerce v. art dynamic is likewise complex - I get that publishers need to make money (but i also think they do not need to overpay for many of the titles they pay astronomical amounts of money for).
I realize there are pros and cons to a lot of the decisions and ways business is conducted but still I do think there could be smarter solutions. But everyone would have to agree to enforce them and not everyone would.
Thanks, as always, for the shout out!
I meant to add this before I sent it out - gah. But will recommend Typewriter's Collage again before long!
No worries!
I love writing short stories for all the reasons you've suggested--developing a character (quickly), and getting the POV and pacing down. What I find challenging is the requirement for shorter short stories--not flash fiction but websites (including mine) asking for 2500 words or less. That's a lot of arc to cover in a short span, but the discipline pays off.
Yes! Frankly, anything under 4,000 words - unless it is flash and I can get myself to think of it as a poem as much as a story - I find difficult too.
My MFA thesis was a short story collection. Those stories have been published in journals and won national awards. I planned to revise that collection and work on my germ of a novel but, whelp, MS that derailed my life and life plans -- not just dealing with the illness and disability but medical bills, insurance, hospitalizations, ableism. Spoon theory is also a thing as my health, in the words of Porochista Khakpour, is now my full-time job on top of everything else
Those years though have matured my writing and the novel I'm working on. I could have never written or worked on this novel in grad school without all this crap under my belt. Sadly now, I have no advisor or workshop for critical feedback as I work on it. And no -' I'm not getting a 2nd MFA.
I really think writing short stories is the best way to learn how to write character, interiority, also POV and pacing. If you can find a few other writers to form a group with (maybe you've done this in the past?) I know that's been helpful for quite a few novelists. Or an accountability partner--I've heard this works well for some too. Checking in every day or two with this person on their progress and yours on your WiP.
I have tried to work with other writers in a group, and those groups have always disbanded or crumbled. Same with accountability partners.
I will see if I can come up with any other ideas. I know The Writers in Glencoe (which meets on Zoom) is looking for new members, but I'm not sure it's what you're looking for. They have an outside, rotating mentor (I've worked with them a few times) who comes in to give notes on 2 members' submissions every other week I think it is.
Thank you. I'm looking for critical and constructive feedback on what I've written and still need to write. I've heard of The Writers but don't know how they are structured. I'd like a writing group to also be a community where we help each other and not compete with each other. I've been in bad workshops in the past and some people are just plain nasty and insulted. I don't have the time or energy for egos and narcissism. I'm mindful where I spoon out my limited health and energy (MS and other autoimmune diseases have a lot of clinical fatigue. It's like running a marathon with the flu.)
I really hope you'll find a good helpmate or two soon. Btw, I teach "Needs" all the time - I assigned it in the flash class I'm teaching for Stanford Cont'g Studies this fall (first class is next Mon.) ❤️
Wow. Thank you! I'm still humbled all these years later. I did find a long-project writing group today via Meet-Up. The organizer lives in Edgewater and likes a lot of the writers I do. His intro. for his group seemed colleageal. It centers on accountability as well as bouncing ideas off of one another regarding our current long-writing project. We'll see!
Thanks for this one, Christine. Starting a writing day with one of your posts is productive procrastination.
Always happy to be of service, Frank! ;)
I love the idea of 12-y-o you writing Thorn Birds fan fic! I watched the whole series on a 5-inch B&W tv in my Ohio bedroom. I've been all over in my writing life: Got my PhD with fiction as the focus, then turned to nonfiction, then graphic nonfiction, and am now returning to work on some combo of a novel with graphic components? I dunno. Anyway, thanks for these thoughts--and thanks for recommending my substack! xo
I was obsessed with The T.B. - I watched the mini series too.
And you are in this, needless to say, for the long haul!
I mean Richard Chamberlain was such a dreamy priest! 😂
I had a huge crush on him! It was silly but real!! :)
Such an interesting post, Christine! It's the battle between belief & doubt.
Yes, exactly!
This sings to every writer everywhere. It’s a balance that can’t always be had. I gave up a long time ago on trying to find it, and come to the realization over the years that if I can satisfy me, I’m good. Luckily people read my stuff and I’ve sold some books. But the day job remains. And the battle for balance -- knowing when things are rotten or ripe will forever be.
You have more inner peace than I do - it's a daily struggle.
Oh, how loudly I hear you! It's a nearly daily struggle between "why bother" and "but I can't not write these books that are developing in my head whether I want them to or not," and the latter always wins. Which is sometimes infuriating, me being in the old-and-tired camp. Anyway, thanks for your honesty, and for sending me to Allison Epstein's fabulous Substack.
Thank you, Cheryl, for your kind comments. And so glad that you're a new fan of Allison's Substack!