It's Not as Serious As You Think
The Ladykiller herself snuck this link into a comment -- the plague of earnestness in modern literary novels.And though I have a reserved seat on this bandwagon, I had to question the scapegoating argument against writing programs:
"This professionalisation will make poor writers adequate. And will make potentially great writers adequate."
I agree with the first statement, but the second is grossly naive, and gives writers absolutely no credit, nor accountability for their own development. I shudder to think of the many "adequate" writers who might be right now rationalizing their mediocrity as misdirected greatness. (I say that last sentence in my snobbiest faux Brit accent, of course)
posted by Pants at 7:50 AM|
permalink|
|
3 Comments:
This post has been removed by the author.
Thanks for the link. I really enjoyed the article.
Insightful article, especially regarding the connections between novel themes and shifting religous attachments (if I've interpreted that correctly).
Like you, I did take some exception with the paragraph on the influence of university professionalism (though not entirely) and academia.
The point is strong; there is a strange cycle in academic writing that is rather difficult to break. And I've experienced enough students writing to impress, rather than writing to sustain (if that makes sense)... likely done it myself. But herein lies the flaw of her point. Cognition and recognition. The developing writer begins to see past the cycle, begins to write from the gut... though hopefully this time with a better vocabulary.
My two bits anyways.
Post a Comment
<< Home