Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Using Intimidation
I’ve just finished reading all of Sherry Thomas’s books. I’d started from her most recent and worked backwards (because all backasswards is how I roll) so I just finished PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS last night.
Blown away.
I’ve lamented of late (privately, but it still counts if it’s in my head, right?) that there’s not a lot of romance in my most recent romances. I don’t know why that is. Maybe writers are feeling pressure to be prolific. I think getting really deep into emotions and character requires time and maybe they aren’t getting the time they need to go deep. I don’t know. But I do know that Sherry Thomas does not suffer from this problem.
She’s won the RITA the last two years in Historical Romance and I can see why. Her stories are full of angst and emotion. They’re about imperfect people who learn to accept each other’s flaws and their mistakes and move forward.
They are brilliant.
It might be a fault of mine but as I glommed up these gorgeous stories, completely involved in her characters and dragged under by her storytelling, all I could think was, “I’m NEVER going to be able to write something this good.”
I swear it was easier before I started writing seriously. Back in those days I felt free to just enjoy a story. Now, every story I enjoy is followed by re-evaluation of self-worth. As in, “This writer is amazing, I will never compare” or some variation. It’s like I can’t enjoy something without making it into a personal assault on my writing skills.
Please say I’m not the only one.
And, the better the book I read, the worse my recriminations are. Let’s just say, after reading Sherry Thomas’s books, I was feeling low and dejected. (Yes, she’s just that awesome. Go forth and read her stuff if you haven’t yet.)
In the past, I’ve recited all the platitudes to sooth my battered ego. You can’t compare yourself to anyone else. You’re you, they’re them, your voice doesn’t sound like them. Just because they exist in the world—this amazing storyteller—does not mean that you cannot exist here too as an amazing storyteller.
This time, as I was reading everything I could about Sherry Thomas and how she got so darn good, I stumbled across an interview with her at Once Upon a Chapter's blog. And in this interview, she said something as if she knew I was reading. When asked what advice she would give to aspiring writers, she said: “Read books that are so good that it makes you despair. And then get up the next day determined to be just as good, if not better. Rinse and repeat. :)”
Wow. I nearly waved, I was so sure she could see me reading.
This is the answer. Reading amazing books, books that make us feel sick they’re so good, gives us that benchmark and an example. This (insert amazing book here) is an example of how great it can be. Because we want readers to feel that way about our stuff, don't we?
So what writers intimidate you? What books have you held up as examples, as books you use to inspire you?
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28 comments:
*waves Crusie banner*
She is the level to which I aspire. And I know I'll never reach that level or write just like she does because a) she's BRILLIANT and amazingly talented and b) she's her and I'm me. Though I adore her books, she's the one author that does not make me despair. She's the one who makes me want to sit down and push to be that good.
SEP is one I've read and despaired. When I read hers I can see something aweson and think, "Oh, I see what she's doing there" but for the life of me can't figure out HOW she pulls it off. Guess I need to study more.
I admit there have been more recent contemp authors who are so awesome, I can't keep reading. Which sounds counterintuitive, I know. Jill Shalvis is so good, how in the world can I put the book down? I have to put it down because she has SUPER HOT OFF THE CHARTS heroes and sexual tension that sets the page on fire and I don't. I don't even want to. But the voice in my head starts with the "If you don't write like that no one is going to publish you" chatter and I go way beyond despair.
Great post, Marn. I read this book years ago when it came out, and loved it. I loved it so much I haven't read any of her other books, because I didn't want to feel inadequate. LOL So I know exactly what you mean.
I just have to remind myself that my stories are worth telling too. Every writer is intimidated by somebody. What if they decided not to write because of that? Think of all the great stories we'd miss out on. :)
Bo'sun - I haven't read Crusie. I know she's on everyone's list and I haven't managed to read her yet. I did read SEP years ago, Nobody's Baby But Mine, I think. Very very good.
And Jill SHalvis is on my TBR list. I love a super hot off the charts hero and serious sexual tension. LOL!!
But the voice in my head starts with the “If you don’t write like that no one is going to publish you” chatter and I go way beyond despair.
This is my big problem too. I read someone like Thomas and she's so lyrical. Her language is gorgeous, but without being overdone. How does she do that? Amazing. But I don't write like that. I don't think I CAN write like that. (Go ahead, follow to the final assumption... ie, since I don't, I'll never publish.)
Ugh.
Donna - Seriously, they're all amazing. The two that won the RITA are seriously some of my favorites now. Right up there with Lord of Scoundrels. But, well, inadequate, yes. Me too.
I just have to remind myself that my stories are worth telling too. Every writer is intimidated by somebody.
Huh. As much as I focus on my own feelings of intimidation, I hadn't thought of this. (Self-absorbed much?) I bet this is true, that every writer I get all fangirl over probably has their own fangirl moments. You're right, it would be a travesty if they stopped writing because of that.
Most writers I've met in person have said this. They wish they could write like [insert other author here]. And I'm amazed every time. Plus, it's good to remember that those Sherry Thomas books are likely not her first ever attempts at writing. And who knows how many drafts she went through to get there.
I met her once in the hall at RWA. Very sweet, soft-spoken woman. One of those who seems totally unaffected by her success. I like authors like that.
I met her once in the hall at RWA. Very sweet, soft-spoken woman. One of those who seems totally unaffected by her success. I like authors like that.
Me too. I hope I get a chance to go to RWA here in the next couple years. I'd like to start meeting more of these lovely ladies.
Awesome, awesome blog!!
I have my list of authors who intimidate the hell out of me. I have them here in no particular order of brilliance:
1.) Becca Fitzpatrick (YA author)
2.) Eloisa James
3.) Lisa Kleypas
4.) Teresa Medeiros
5.) Allie Condie (I think I got her name right; wrote Matched & Crossed)
6.) Lauren Oliver
7.) Sophie Kinsella
8.) J.K. Rowling
9.) Julie Anne Long
10.) Anne Gracie! Oh, to write like Anne Gracie!
11.) Jennifer Cruisie
And many many others, but these are the ones that came to the top of my head.
I do get dejected reading really great books and realizing I'll never compare, but sometimes it does become my benchmark. I do think they sometimes inspire me to keep trying and trying to write something that touches on the level this book did. It's storytelling. It's not the writing--we can all learn to write--but being able to tell the story in such a way to impart that magic that touches us, that's difficult. I know it's said that you can't teach writing or storytelling, and yes, maybe you can't learn it in a book or a class, but I still believe everyone is a storyteller. Anyone could be a writer; it's a matter of letting go of the fear. Writing is about letting go of the fear.
These writers are FEARLESS and that's what impresses us, I think. We want to write fearlessly too.
And on Facebook, there was this quote going around that applies here:
Don't let comparison steal your joy.
being able to tell the story in such a way to impart that magic that touches us, that’s difficult.
Soooo true. Because magic isn't something you learn.
I want to be fearless too.
I also noticed that a lot of my favorite writers know how to ante up the conflict. There are times in Sherry Thomas's stories where I think, Good God, how they must hate each other. I need to focus on doing that.
I second... Awesome Blog, Marn!!!
Mine are Lisa Kleypas, SEP, Barbara Samuel/O'Neal, Robyn Carr, and Mary Balogh, just to name a few off the top of my head. Every time I read one of their books I think I can't even come close.
The funny thing is that I have! Have you ever read a line or a piece of dialogue in a book and had the same idea or phrasing? It has happened to me a handful of times. The DH goes ballistic when I point it out to him. He always screams - "You see, you just have to keep plugging away and do it soon or someone else will get to it first!"
I love Hellie's statement - Don't let comparison steal your joy. You can apply that to just about everything you do in life. I think the ultimate would be to do something you love and have the fallout be that you can profit or make a living off of it. The important part of that equation is the first part, though. I believe almost every famous person out there, whether it be author, director, scientist, entrepreneur, etc. didn't start down their current path looking to make money. They just followed their bliss and it turned golden. Maybe if we could consciously take the emphasis off comparison and move it to creating we would all create more. Kind of like accentuate the positive eliminate the negative! A bit trite, I know, but so so hard to do even at the best of times.
Irish - LOL! That's funny about your DH. There are moments where I re-read something and think, "hey, that's not half bad." But I don't know if I ever think it's nearly as good as my icons. I wish it were. I might be being hard on myself, but I don't know....
They just followed their bliss and it turned golden. Maybe if we could consciously take the emphasis off comparison and move it to creating we would all create more. Kind of like accentuate the positive eliminate the negative! A bit trite, I know, but so so hard to do even at the best of times.
It is so hard, but it's the best course nonetheless. I always work better with a positive attitude.
I think part of the problem with this is that, though I don't want to, I see things on some sort of timeline. And, on some days, I think the date for when I should have found success has expired. It's hard, then, to think about being positive, if I'm already feeling behind the eight ball.
Those times I have to be all zen and think, "there is no deadline" and "the greater power has plans for me." But it's hard to be zen sometimes.
Maybe it's something with the flow of my ch'i.
But I don’t know if I ever think it’s nearly as good as my icons.
Don't get me wrong - I still don't think I'm even in the same ballpark. It's more along the lines of - if you and this awesome author had the same spark of an idea or same turn of phrase maybe there's hope for you yet. LOL
And I'm not usually so positive (I'm more of an Eeyore than a Tigger) - just so happens you caught me on a day when I tend to be working on positive affirmations. I've been doing a lot of "you're enough just as you are" self-talk lately in every aspect of my life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DIETlxquzY
The same spark. Maybe that's it. And good for you with the positive pep talks! Mine's above....
PS, I'm not dissing your positive talk BTW, I hope it didn't come across like that. I'm poking fun at me. I always feel like Stuart Smalley when I start doing this with my writing. I put positive post its around my computer and if I read them too much it makes me feel like him. LOL!!
I feel like Stuart Smalley a lot too, Marn. *LOL* I think you're in good company with people who feel rather ridiculous giving themselves pep talks. *LOL* But it's like any new exercise. You're always awkward at first and once you start getting better at it and believing what you're doing--we'll be someone else. *LOL* Maybe a Katie Couric or something.
I remember sending Sin a private message once about Kim Harrison books...how I buy her books and then they sit on a shelf while I avoid them. Because I know I'm going to end up feeling totally inadequate and full of envy once I pick it up and start it...
That feeling has gotten better, but it isn't gone.
It's funny, because the flip side are the books we read and think... "Gods, I can do better than this!"
We're all fruit loops...
I have writers who I aspire to, not because they are so much better, but because...oh, how to say this? Because I feel a kinship with their stories and I'm not as good, but if readers like her/him...they'll like me?
I think I'm a bit hypersensative to the comparison thing, which may be why I stay away from reading too much of the genre I write... I'm not altogether sure. Now and then, I'll read an author's older books and find some real bobbles and look at their success and it fills me with hope... Because they had some real bobbles and got so much better! I can do that, too!
Hellie, great quote...I hadn't seen that one.
Well, because plot is my bugaboo, I'll go with J.K. Rowlings because I love how seemingly obscure stuff from the early books, becomes relevant in later books. (It helps that she didn't go the route of most authors with the endless series, and instead saw the series as a complete story arc with a definite end.) I'm also in awe of the writers on Dexter who manage get the perfect balance between edge of your seat plotting and compelling characterizations. (First three seasons, anyway.)
For the most part, I've gotten comfortable in my own voice and don't want to write like anyone else. But a couple weeks ago, I saw an American Masters documentary about a screen writer named Dalton Trumbo. He was a victim of blacklisting during the McCarthy era lunacy. Anyway, the show features dramatic readings of some of his letters to family by actors like Liam Neesom, Michael Douglas and others.
My point--there it is, doink!--is that I was amazed by his use of language. I was like, "Gah, I'd sell my soul to be able to craft those kind of sentences, use that syntax...."
I sometimes run into similar passages in books by literary writers and folks like Alice Hoffman, but...I can't say I actually want to write like them. Just have a bit more facility with my native tongue, perhaps.
I’ll go with J.K. Rowlings because I love how seemingly obscure stuff from the early books, becomes relevant in later books.
I know! I love how the cabinet in book 2 is the cabinet in book 6! I love how the diary is one of the horcruxes. I love the locket in book 5 which is another horcrux...
There are so many, many subtle things that end up being important later. It's amazing what she did.
I was thinking this same thing as I watched HP7.1 last night. Masterful!
Had a thought on this blog during lunch. I remember meeting Joanne Bourne at a booksigning just after reading her first book. Which was INCREDIBLE. When I told her that, she seemed completely surprised. Was floored by all the reader love she was getting. So maybe we're just as good as that writer we love, but we can't see it. We're too close to see it.
And when we're sitting at our own booksignings and readers come up gushing of how they loved our stories, we can be surprised too. And thankful we didn't let the despair win.
:)
So maybe we’re just as good as that writer we love, but we can’t see it. We’re too close to see it.
I think this is true. I'm always surprised when I've given a compliment. I question the deliverer to make sure it was for me. *LOL*
We mustn't let the terrorists win! *LOL*
Excellent post!
I love this line from Chance -
"I have writers who I aspire to, not because they are so much better, but because…oh, how to say this? Because I feel a kinship with their stories..."
That's exactly how I feel. I mean many of my authors are really awesome, but sometimes it's about a certain writing skill or feeling they evoke perfectly rather than the books being masterpieces.
Kim Harrison & Lisa Kleypas are biggies.
Kristin Higgins
Victoria Dahl
Jennifer Cruise
Julie Moffett (check her out. LOVE her lexi series from Carina Press)
A new author I think has that "certain something" about her writing I wish I could capture is Keiran Kramer.
OMG, how could I have left Kristin Higgins off my list! That was a complete oversight I assure you!!
Hellion - I love her books. really love them.
I know I've said this a million times like a skipping record but Kim Harrison amazes me, terrifies me and simply shows me how brilliant a writer truly can be if they just go for it. So my Urban Fantasy author who intimidates the hell out of me: Kim Harrison.
Historical romance: Lisa Kleypas
Contemporary romance: Jill Shalvis
Great blog and thanks for the recommendation! I'm flying tomorrow so I really needed a good book to read.
I agree that Sherry Thomas is an amazing writer, Marn, and that her prose is extraordinary. I am so excited about her new trilogy. Her blog mate and CP (I think), Meredith Duran, is another writer who excels in all areas of the writing craft.
I’m late commenting because after I read this post, I needed to think about the connections between my reading and writing. Perhaps one of the reasons I read so many historicals is that I can be awed by what EJ, JAL, Anne Gracie, Lisa Kleypas, and a host of others accomplish in their books without comparing my writing to theirs. I’m never going to write European historicals. The same holds true with contemporary writers who write really hot (Toni Blake) or romantic comedy (Crusie, SEP, Julie James, Kristan Higgins). I can freely admire them because I am not writing the kind of things they write. The ones I avoid when I’m writing are those who write contemporaries rich in context that reveal the extraordinariness of ordinary flawed and struggling human beings and use language with grace and precision. Reading writers like Kathleen Gilles Seidel, Barbara O’Neal, Pamela Morsi, Marcia Moyer when I’m writing can paralyze me because they write the kind of books I want to write and fear I never will.
Janga - Yeah...it's not like there are a bunch of writers out there writing what I write... I mean, not that I've found... ;-) But I do think it's a personal decision when it comes to being honest with how reading the 'greats' influence me.
Good prose is good prose, no matter the genre. Same with colorful characters or awesome world building.
I can be tainted with a sense of envy, so I'm careful what I read. I know where my limits are and what will negatively influence me and leave me gasping with self-pity regarding my skills.
I'm not proud of that tendency, but it's there and I'd rather know it and avoid the areas where the worst of my nature would rise. Like staying out of an ice cream shop when I'm dieting.
Sometimes, reading those that inspire envy just ruins the writing mojo.
I work on not letting myself compare...and usually I win. Just a few will bring up the 'not good enough' litany. Kim Harrison does. Especially her earlier books. Sorry, Sin, not so much with the latest ones for me.
Hells - I'm glad that the Stuart Smalley similarities aren't just me. LOL!
Chance It’s funny, because the flip side are the books we read and think… “Gods, I can do better than this!”
We’re all fruit loops…
Um, agree. LOL!! I do like to see a writer grow. It gives me hope too.
I haven't read Kim Harrison yet. I need to add her as well.
Pat - I am in awe of JK Rowling too. I find the way she crafted those stories, the sheer level of commitment she has to her world, completely fascinating and inspiring. And her books rock too. :)
I can’t say I actually want to write like them. Just have a bit more facility with my native tongue, perhaps.
I agree with this. I don't know if I want to write like anyone else, but when I see writers with such amazing command of our language, well, it makes me feel all small and aw shucks-toe-rubbing-in-the-dirt. I know, in some recess of my brain, that I have a varied vocabulary. But it doesn't feel like I put those words as well as (insert amazing writer here). This might be perception though.
Bo'sun - I love Joanne Bourne's books too. I'd say that she, Sherry Thomas, and Meredith Duran are my three favorites right now.
Scape - I liked Kieran Kramer's new book too. And I like what you say here, I mean many of my authors are really awesome, but sometimes it’s about a certain writing skill or feeling they evoke perfectly rather than the books being masterpieces. That is true. Because I don't think, to be a good book, it's just about following Strunk and White to the letter.
Sin - good luck with your travels tomorrow. And I think Sherry Thomas's ebooks are all on sale for 3.99. A huge bargain, I think.
Janga - I love Meredith Duran too. Her latest was wonderful. :)
I think I might be better off shying away from my genre too, at least when I'm in the midst of writing. But then they go and write something amazing and I can't just set it aside! I must read it NOW!! LOL!!
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