capability and vanity
People don't often think about capability, especially in regards to writing. Whenever I tell someone I am a writer(I don't say I'm a poet that's a whole other ball of wax) I am told right off the bat "I could never do that" or if I mention about the performance aspect of what we do on tuesdays at the North Star Cafe they say "I can't read in front of people." I pretend to make us both happy, its great for me because it gives me the false impression that my ability to express my creative voice is soooooooo unique and for them it's a limitation they get to suffer from. A part of the world that will remain a happy mystery.
The truth is simple, everyone has the capability to own that stage. They have the capability every week, thats why the established guys work so hard its out of fear. Every writer, poet, short story or hallmark card writer has an identified locker full of faults. Things that are holding them back from being at maximum capability and all you really have to do is eliminate as many as you can or cleverly mask them. Its easier said then done. Trust me.
At writers group on Wednesday I've been a dizzy cheerleader getting excited about the different viewpoints everyone has on the same topics we all pick from. Its one ugly toothless world and we all draw it in our words differently, its so interesting. A lot of them are so close to bridging that capability gap I tried to give them what the big Mac used to call "straight talk" sometimes it was tough because none of them really sucked they just needed to shake themselves up. I had to be general and specific if that makes any sense.
I have been to writers groups where there were ego tenderness issues and people didnt want to hear anything but the good news. It makes you mad because you give your time for nothing. I know some people appreciated the way Wil and I were able to communicate and never tell them what to do but just poke at possibilities. I know this because they come in every tuesday and they get better and better.
I'm not spoiling them by writing this either. I don't know that any of them will read this blog. If you know them and reading it, keep it between us. I don't want any of them to get a big head.
The truth is simple, everyone has the capability to own that stage. They have the capability every week, thats why the established guys work so hard its out of fear. Every writer, poet, short story or hallmark card writer has an identified locker full of faults. Things that are holding them back from being at maximum capability and all you really have to do is eliminate as many as you can or cleverly mask them. Its easier said then done. Trust me.
At writers group on Wednesday I've been a dizzy cheerleader getting excited about the different viewpoints everyone has on the same topics we all pick from. Its one ugly toothless world and we all draw it in our words differently, its so interesting. A lot of them are so close to bridging that capability gap I tried to give them what the big Mac used to call "straight talk" sometimes it was tough because none of them really sucked they just needed to shake themselves up. I had to be general and specific if that makes any sense.
I have been to writers groups where there were ego tenderness issues and people didnt want to hear anything but the good news. It makes you mad because you give your time for nothing. I know some people appreciated the way Wil and I were able to communicate and never tell them what to do but just poke at possibilities. I know this because they come in every tuesday and they get better and better.
I'm not spoiling them by writing this either. I don't know that any of them will read this blog. If you know them and reading it, keep it between us. I don't want any of them to get a big head.
posted by veritas2 at
11:49 AM
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