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:
I suspect most editors don't know what they're really looking for until the find it. ;)
Yes, Ann. I think this applies to all of us.
"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. . .
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.
Should have said that formulas are a must for scientists. Not surprised you like them, Vijaya.
*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?
This is why I write like me and hope for the best. ;)
I can totally relate to this!
Love this post, Mirka.
I'm with Vijaya here. Love math, love patterns. And love the Yiddish sayings.
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....
Post a Comment