The last blog on my site is from the end of 2019. I have no excuses. No real reasons why my words have not graced the internet. But tonight, tonight I have a reason to write, and to rhyme apparently.
For those who don’t know, these days I work at Endicott College in integrated marketing. I love my job because I get to write for other people on a regular basis. However, I will note now that my writing productivity has slipped quite a bit during the transition from agency life to one of a more collegiate marketer. That ends now.
Today, I went to an on-campus reading by lauded author, Christine Schutt.
I’m not going to lie, I was unfamiliar with her work. Now before you judge me, I mostly live in the young adult genre and Schutt is decidedly adult. That being said, her writing and more so her insights after her reading both shook me and reaffirmed some feelings I have about the process of writing. Here are some of my musings.
It has to cost you
On Twitter in particular, I see a lot of people talking about their writing struggles. I certainly have my own, but Schutt’s insight on the most difficult part of writing really hit me.
She said, "There are so many things that are difficult, but you must find something you care about in a sustained way. Something that isn't frivolous. Something that has a cost. If you tell the stories that you really don't want people to know, you reveal something that is going to cost you. Everything will matter. The way it's told will matter. Finding that is hard just to begin with, but if you do, you can get a lot out of that."
Think about that for a moment. She is saying that great writing has to come from a secret place. Sometimes a painful place. I agree with that. There are many shallow novels out there that lack a “cost.”
The novel that I feel I will be writing forever at this point begins with a re-telling of my grandfather’s death. Each time I proof it, I cry. I cry, and I cry, and I cry. I have avoided that section specifically for that reason, but guess what? It’s one of the best parts of the book.
They say as a marketer to truly sell you must understand your client’s pain points. That is true. Authors must also do this. To write a true character is to know them at their worst and to share that with the world.
Your writing is not necessarily finished
Forgive me as I don’t remember the name of the writer that Schutt cited, but I do remember her sentiment. When she was talking about her new book, “Pure Hollywood” and the first vignette that had the potential to be a full novella, she noted that many writers rewrite their work, even after it has been published. They breath new life into something when they fall in love with it again.
Prior to this evening, I always believed that if I published something, it was “finished,” but it is so interesting to consider that it may have more of a life to live if I give it enough time.
The characters are in charge
I’ve always felt that my characters were driving the bus. Schutt seems to feel the same. When asked how she writes herself out of a character corner, she explained that often the character will show the writer the next move or the way out. However, she did mention that sometimes that takes time.
Another reason to practice patience, I suppose!
Obsessions
One of the most entertaining parts of Schutt’s Q&A was when she talked about how “Pure Hollywood” came into being. She had spent a lot of time reading “rags” about Hollywood and she became “obsessed” with the relationship between Angelina Jolie and her brother. She wanted to explore it further, and though she didn’t fully replicate it, she considered it during her writing process.
Schutt believes in finding obsession-worthy concepts and diving into them. I fully agree.
A new writer on my shelf
While I had never read Schutt’s work prior to this evening, I will be reading it soon. Her descriptions are meaty. They are weighed down with emotion. They are thick with character. Delicious. I can’t wait to take another bite.
In summation
Simply put, even if you don’t know a writer, it is always worthwhile to go and listen to one speak. At minimum, they will be able to talk about similar struggles that you are experiencing, but more likely they will show you certain things you already knew, and may need to relearn.
You can learn more about Schutt on here website: christineschutt.com.