I really enjoyed this candid discussion. I like to write picture books that feature girls who are scientists and boys who love to knit. I'm not a scientist, nor a knitter. I like to write for myself first, and then see if there is a home somewhere for the story I've written, but honestly I do wonder if someone is going to ask me about my science degree or whether I can knit a scarf. I think I can knit a scarf, but unfortunately the little boy in my story has a much more ambitious project in mind. I mean, I have to listen to his desire's first, right?
Deepam, all the life questions really have the same answer, in my mind, because I don’t believe we can fully step outside ourselves to see another perspective without carrying the load of our stuff. Our stuff colors everything - culture, individuality, sexuality, community - all of it. I see the struggle to communicate the complexity as the most authentic; any ‘truth’ in it will only be revealed with time. Being willing to take on the complexity - a shifting target - without trying to resolve it is what separates strong writers from others who are still searching for their voice. We’re always appropriating - the question is do we appropriate with some sense of integrity? If I am to understand another culture, I must, to some degree, appropriate it; otherwise I merely stand totally outside it offering meaningless commentary. The effort of integrity is valuable. Does that make any sense? Keep exploring, it’s the meat of everything.
I love what you're willing to explore...stepping outside your skin in an attempt to inhabit the heart and mind of another. As for the publishing world, a project I worked on for years finally got put back in my drawer after too many rejections to count, and only now can I see it without cringing from the naive effort that went into it, and find ways to incorporate some of it into new projects, which is kind of like a heart and lung transplant. Carry on.
You have so aptly expressed the convolutions of process for all writers. We imagine on many levels and go down many rabbit holes. I now concentrate on writing about seniors, not only because I am one, but because I feel it is under-represented in our culture. Youth are uninterested in reading it because they think aging will never happen to them.
I really enjoyed this candid discussion. I like to write picture books that feature girls who are scientists and boys who love to knit. I'm not a scientist, nor a knitter. I like to write for myself first, and then see if there is a home somewhere for the story I've written, but honestly I do wonder if someone is going to ask me about my science degree or whether I can knit a scarf. I think I can knit a scarf, but unfortunately the little boy in my story has a much more ambitious project in mind. I mean, I have to listen to his desire's first, right?
Your star continues to rise... makes me smile
Deepam, all the life questions really have the same answer, in my mind, because I don’t believe we can fully step outside ourselves to see another perspective without carrying the load of our stuff. Our stuff colors everything - culture, individuality, sexuality, community - all of it. I see the struggle to communicate the complexity as the most authentic; any ‘truth’ in it will only be revealed with time. Being willing to take on the complexity - a shifting target - without trying to resolve it is what separates strong writers from others who are still searching for their voice. We’re always appropriating - the question is do we appropriate with some sense of integrity? If I am to understand another culture, I must, to some degree, appropriate it; otherwise I merely stand totally outside it offering meaningless commentary. The effort of integrity is valuable. Does that make any sense? Keep exploring, it’s the meat of everything.
I love what you're willing to explore...stepping outside your skin in an attempt to inhabit the heart and mind of another. As for the publishing world, a project I worked on for years finally got put back in my drawer after too many rejections to count, and only now can I see it without cringing from the naive effort that went into it, and find ways to incorporate some of it into new projects, which is kind of like a heart and lung transplant. Carry on.
You have so aptly expressed the convolutions of process for all writers. We imagine on many levels and go down many rabbit holes. I now concentrate on writing about seniors, not only because I am one, but because I feel it is under-represented in our culture. Youth are uninterested in reading it because they think aging will never happen to them.