I had been in a reading lull, focusing on writing a lot, and research and related things, but reading very little.
Since reading other people's great ideas expands my own creativity (duh), I'm attacking my book pile with gusto once again. Movies do this, too. My husband and I saw Gran Torino with Clint Eastwood last night, and it got me thinking about the complexity of motivations for a racist attitude. The movie is set in my state, and one of the supporting characters is a high schooler from my area. This was inspiring in itself.
Clint Eastwood is my new role model. He knows precisely what he does best, and proceeds to make a career out of it. You can call him one dimensional, but really the man transcends versatility. He is the master of his dimension. He owns every inch of it. He's just so very good at what he does.
Perhaps this is a problem for struggling writers. I lament that I can't turn a phrase quite like Polly Horvath, or structure a plot like Laurie Halse Anderson. I want to have the dry humor of Emily Jenkins, or the tall tale telling genius of Richard Peck. Clearly I'm no Clint either, but if I can possibly discover the thing I do best. And then do that thing really well, that will be my best shot.
So I do need to immerse, and learn, and admire, and think, and work. Then, focus inward, find the connections, discard the peripheral stuff, create, and hone hone hone that voice.
2 comments:
Ah, yes. You are seeking the very thing we all seek, no matter what the milieu. What do we do best? Or rather, For Why are we here?
I think you're on the right path. It helps that you're already a solidly good writer. Don't get discouraged. That might be the hardest part: Don't get discouraged. Persevere. Work hard to be yourself. Sounds goofy, doesn't it? It'll pay off.
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