2023 EDIT: Part of my 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.
Final Score: 4/5
Original Review:
'Becoming A Writer' has been sighted for eighty years now as the go-to handbook for every aspiring writer, and for writers wanting to get out of their own creative and personal slump which prevents them from focusing and building on their skills. Having gotten my hands on a copy and finishing it, it is not hard to read into why that is. I agree with the book's praise completely. What luck that it was in my local library!
'Becoming A Writer' is as fresh, straightforward and relevant to modern times as it was when it was first published in 1934. Dorothea Brande doesn't really teach about what content you should put into your story and why (in terms of genre and the development of plot and characters) like so many other books on writing do. She gives advice on how a writer can get into that dreamlike but highly-motivated state of mind before even approaching a word processor (or a typewriter in this case; but same thing regardless).
'Becoming A Writer' is just that; what a writer is and how you can free and attune your mind (and body) to that kind of lifestyle. It is not so much 'How to write' as it is 'How to be a writer'.
Here is only an inkling (pun intended) of Dorothea Brande's paraphrased words of wisdom (taken from my notes):
- Writing is an instinctive yet sensible energy organisation.
- Writing talent, much like the writing craft, CAN be taught. Your mindset can both inhibit you and be worked to your advantage.
- Writing is a purely psychological matter. Your conscious and unconscious must work in harmony for a balanced mind when creating magic from your fingertips (Ms Brande mainly talks about the activity of the conscious and the unconscious when writing, and debunks the myths relating to Freud's theories of these two mind fields).
- We find it in ourselves to explore ideas and be stimulated.
- The use of conscious effort can control, manage and polish story ideas. But do not pressure it, otherwise it will hamper your unconsciousness. Bottom line: consciousness directs, unconsciousness flows, like a river of activity.
- Writing is a double will and a double task: the unending imagination working steadfastly with the self-aware tools used to craft a story, like two personalities working together.
- The word "genius" means using the consciousness and unconsciousness to their full extent. There are no limits to it as the "writer's magic".
- A story idea is a focus: set it in motion.
- Good stories are honestly conceived and honestly executed.
- Trust in your own unique self to write fresh and original stories.
- Have an "innocence of eye", like a child of spontaneity and sensitivity. Be vivid and intense in viewing the world anew.
- Trust and engage in your own convictions, insights and beliefs and the reader may be persuaded of them as well.
- Know and recognise yourself, your characters, their backstories and their settings. Make your finished story convincing to yourself and it will be convincing to your readers.
The exercises Ms Brande offers along with her insights and advice are superb. It's a wonder why I wasn't taught them before; they seem very obvious. I cannot wait to try them out myself. Dorothea Brande is truly like a helpful and no-nonsense friend who knows what she is talking about and who explains herself as simply as she can.
Although, it is a little unclear whether or not she wants aspiring writers to read many books. Ms Brande does mention how too much reading hinders our own writing because we might unconsciously try to copy other styles. But she also says that we should study how authors use prose; for example how they mark the passage of time and get characters from one scene to the next. She says to learn from other writer's works and be awake to their subtleties and rhythm, and pick up on fresh, diverse words. But she is also resolute about being original and that growing as a writer means sparse or no reading of existent books. This irked me somewhat, especially since I love to read but never do I think about being like another author when I'm writing.
However, this could all go back to the use of balance when preparing to write seriously.
When Ms Brande talks about a "writer's magic" (only occasionally, it should be added), I think she's using a code which means this: believe in yourself; believe you can write and never waste priceless energy and intent. See yourself, and practice and develop your skills without end. But do not over-complicate the crafting process - use your own strengths, at your own pace.
Be alive to write! This, my friends, is what 'Becoming A Writer' ultimately teaches us.
Final Score: 4/5
No comments:
Post a Comment