Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Phooey to Formulas


If I try to be like him, who will be like me?

That’s an old Yiddish proverb. {For someone who doesn’t speak Yiddish, I’m full of Yiddishisms. If there was ever a culture that looked at it itself with gentle irony and managed to balance humor and pathos, it’s Yiddish.}

I don’t have this subtle balance, and my utterings sound judgmental. So back to the ‘who will be like me’ point- how do you convey a dislike for formulaic thinking, formulaic writing, and, well, FORMULAS?

When I began writing I didn’t know all the you’re-supposed-to-thises and you’re-supposed-to-thats. I wrote, and wrote some of my most original stories. Not formulaic, and also not publishable. Eager to get more than form rejections, I learned to ‘be like him,’ to know what is expected. To study the rules and by-pass them only for a compelling reason. I still get a lot of rejections, but many are requests to re-submit and encouragement for my writing.

In the back of my mind that Yiddish voice, reminding me to ‘be like me,’ beckons me. Somehow I find myself searching for this balance- to be like him, and be like me.

{Now I wish I knew Yiddish, because if any language can embrace dichotomies and contradictions, this is it. You know about two Jews and three opinions, right?}

When editors say they are looking for something ‘different,’ writers on chat-boards have surmised they mean ‘something that is the same, but with a difference.’ Rare is the editor who is really looking for something that has no trace of formula in it. Something different.

Well, this is my struggle and my *sigh* today. Come sigh like me…

11 comments:

Ann Herrick said...

I suspect most editors don't know what they're really looking for until the find it. ;)

Mirka Breen said...

Yes, Ann. I think this applies to all of us.

Ruth Schiffmann said...

"Something that is the same, but with a difference," thanks so much for sharing that. I think that's it exactly. Now as we try to apply that to our own writing, I'll sigh like you. . .

Vijaya said...

Yup, same, but different. Actually, I'm a big fan of patterns and formulas (and math). I think it's one of the best ways to figure out how to stick your story into a pattern that works.

I like all the Yiddish sayings. Keep 'em coming.

Mirka Breen said...

Should have said that formulas are a must for scientists. Not surprised you like them, Vijaya.

Anne M Leone said...

*sigh* Yep, know the feeling! I've decided that the magic trick is to write something wholly original yet within all the constraints modern publishing expects. Easy, right?

Kelly Hashway said...

This is why I write like me and hope for the best. ;)

Ellis Nelson said...

I can totally relate to this!

Michael Sussman said...

Love this post, Mirka.

Marcia said...

I'm with Vijaya here. Love math, love patterns. And love the Yiddish sayings.

Tina Cho said...

I feel safe with formulas...that's why writing is hard...formulas are more subjective. How to find that original, fresh, yet same book idea is quite difficult! BIG SIGH....