Musings on writing and reading from a quaint small town in the breathtaking West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia.
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The Long-haul Slog
I have now joined the ranks of MFA creative writing students, and feel happiness when I hear about my fellow students’ successes: a short story to be published in a literary magazine, a creative non-fiction piece shortlisted for a contest. Then I consider my own current efforts—a novel I’ve been working on for a couple of years, and will be for at least a couple more—and am jealous.
Although I’ve published lots, the books and articles all seem (and some were) written a decade ago. For the heck of it, and to feel a wee bit accomplished, I’ve recently secured myself a new magazine article—but won’t see it in print until spring 2016.
In the meantime, it’s me and my novel. Draft one done. Draft two just getting off the ground. Potential publication—and the chance to toot my own horn—ages away.
I could learn to write short stories. I could focus more on articles. But then I’d be distracting myself from what I truly want to accomplish. I just have to remember that satisfaction will some day come—and use those feelings of jealousy as inspirational fuel.
How do you feel about others’ successes?
About the Author
Posted by Galadriel
Where Did You Sleep Last Night
Huh.
That was my sentiment when I got to the end of Lynn Crosbie’s novel Where Did You Sleep Last Night.
Huh.
There are two reasons why.
First, I was oddly fascinated. Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain returned to life. An unstable fan. The ultimate in sex, drugs and music. Breakups and makeups. Breakups and makeups. Breakups and makeups. What would become of these two? The way I felt about this world was similar to how I feel about Heather O’Neill’s works (see here and here): turned off but entranced.
Second, I barely understood a word. The text was so poetic, and so drug-fueled, and so seemingly haphazard it was as if I were reading the novel in French—sure, I got the gist as I glossed over page after page, but I certainly wasn’t catching the nuances. But perhaps, being narrated by addicts, that was the point.
It also took me quite a while to figure out that the Cobain (aka Celine Black) character was often simply called “he,” even if grammatically the “he” in that sentence should have been referring to someone else. But an accurate reflection of how our minds—especially obsessed minds—work.
It was a brave adventure, one that only an experienced writer like Crosbie could pull off. If I wrote something that cryptic, I’m sure it’d never find a publisher.
As with a French novel, I have a feeling the more times I read it the more I’ll understand—so do plan to tackle it again in the future.
But I doubt I’ll ever understand it all.
Have you read it? What did you think?
About the Author
Posted by Galadriel
Until Next Time
I feel complete.
Over the past 10 months, I have written over 70 blog posts. I have explored my thoughts and verbalized my opinions. I have put myself out to the public in a way I’ve never done before, and connected with like-minded people I wouldn’t have connected with otherwise.
I have loved it and don’t intend to abandon my blog completely, but do intend to slow down and let it come organically rather than in a regularly scheduled manner. To be sporadic, as the mood moves.
With my MFA studies coming upon me, I need to focus my writing efforts. My first assignment is due in less than two weeks, and my first course takes place in July. In September schoolwork will be a regular part of my life, for years to come.
This isn’t goodbye, but I do want to let you know you may not see fresh material here very often.
Thank you to everyone who has followed and commented and forwarded my posts.
Here are my two favourites:
And here are a few reader favourites:
- Down to Business
- Happily Unhappily Ever After
- Another Step Toward Becoming a Pie (aka: I Made It!)
- #dressgate and the Powers of Perception
Au revoir!
About the Author
galadrielwatson 