Drunk On Writing

The easy and honest answer is, I have no idea. Everyone is unique, and artists, especially so. We’re a bit “touched.” That’s why our position, even in the same company, is so unique. The same rules don’t apply. And a large part of any art (and indeed, we are artists) is inspiration. I know what gives me inspiration, but they are not likely to be the same things that inspire you. We are very different people. We have unique points of view just from that.

However, there are a few things I can point out that most all writers, famous and not, seem to have had in common. And today, I will specifically talk about emotion and feelings. Because no matter what they wrote, or for what purpose, the best writings were done with feeling. Since I’ve started this job, I’ve only had the opportunity to write two things with true passion.

This is what I was talking about when I say seduction is easy. Because as a writer, you know how to seduce people into your writing, so to speak. You lure them in, build it up slowly, but with an ever increasing pace, to a crescendo, until you reach the inevitable climax and then!… everyone goes away satisfied.  How is writing any different than seduction? So if you think about it like this when you have to write something for real, it may help.

Of course, the majority of what you write will be “fluff”, interesting but not critical, and you will have little reason to write with a hard passion. However, if you let some excitement into your writing about a party on Friday night, you’ll find that you’re more successful. The problem is, that’s not easy to do when you don’t like to party or the place. What do you do then?

The most common tactic is transference. This is where inspiration comes in, as well as the bullshitting. My apologies, I cannot think of a more appropriate, less offensive word. But this is a tactic that you likely do without realizing it. Our inspiration gives us the excitement, and we transfer it to our writing. If a beautiful sunset really inspires you, it sets your frame of mind, and you can write so beautiful. It is, in effect, the beauty of the sunrise you’re writing about, you just happen to be wording it about a party. Do you see? And it’s bull, because it’s not really the party you’re writing about. When I said that bullshitting is the key earlier, this is what I meant. If you master this one tactic, you’ll always be able to be a writer.

However, that being said, you’ll never be famous. There is no sure way to become famous, but there are sure ways to not be famous. And one thing the GREAT writers almost all seemed to share is a depth of feeling that set them apart. Whether it was depression, or mania, or whatever, they all felt things more strongly than other people. It is a blessing and a curse. It is very good for a writer, or any artist for that matter, to have depth of feeling. That is what attracts people to you and your art.

But too much of a good thing is bad. That is why many famous writers and artists had tumultuous personal lives and relationships. Their friends and lovers couldn’t handle it. Their relationships were intense, but usually brief, if at all (Poor Emily Dickinson). Of course, that’s not the rule by any means. Many emotional writers have had great personal lives. Sylvia Plath for example. Her and her husband were both famous poets, and it’s fascinating to compare their works from before and after they met. It’s a sad fact that romantics are great writers, but have lousy love lives.

Women today are jaded, and think that love letters are corny. It’s a tragedy because a well-crafted love letter, with depth and emotion, is an inspiration in its self. One of my advantages is my capacity for emotion. I am reluctant to admit, but I am very emotional for a guy. It’s what lets me be a writer, but it makes life… interesting… sometimes. That’s not quite right. It’s more a depth of feeling. I get caught up in my emotions? I don’t know. I was raised by women. What do you expect? Not to mention, sometimes I think I live in a world of my own creation.

And while bullshit is important, don’t let that mean I am insincere. When I write about something I truly do believe in, it’s still bullshit in a way. I very carefully tailor my writing for maximum effect on my audience. It’s almost compulsive. I endlessly revise as I write to ensure I am saying exactly what I want, exactly how I want. It’s not even something I do on purpose, it’s instinctive. Maybe it’s not really bullshit. Maybe it’s expressiveness. Well, I think this is more than enough to help. I didn’t intend to go on so. It’s a writing thing, I guess. I hoped you learned a think or two and use it in your own future writing!

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