Be Real, Be Passionate, Take Risks!
Posted: Thursday, March 18, 2010
by Jennifer Stewart
Stepping out of History
Logic can be so seductive, and seem so sensible and be so completely wrong, in the long run. It's easy to forget that any conclusion is only as good as the information that backs it.
For example, take the "logic" that says if you want success you have to work out what people want, and provide it. Seems pretty sensible. Seems statistically supportable.
Publishers, agents, producers, some teachers, even writers, are always making two mistakes. The first is thinking that the potential audience won't respond to the energy, the thrill, the excitement an author conveys when they write on something they're passionate about. The second mistake is thinking that the audience doesn't like what's new. It's ridiculous: marketers and manufacturers are always looking for new perspectives and new products, because they recognise that LIFE CHANGES, that people need newness. Newness is the lifeblood of the commercial world. And it is the artists who create the newness which we all crave, yes?
Yet publishers, producers and agents are always telling writers and artists that they must conform to some nebulous idea of what the public wants which is in fact a formula they the publishers et al have created out of what's been done. What is it with these guys? They've got to be the most ignorant bunch of humans ever. And they don't seem to change from generation to generation. Somebody should write a book, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus and Publishers, Producers et al are from Some Other Alien Universe.
Look at anyone who has risen above the masses haven't they all been complete individuals? Haven't they all been rejected by agents, publishers, producers, you name it? Haven't they all been told "nobody will want to listen to you / watch you / read you / buy your art because you're too different"? Yet they've shot to great heights of fame and fortune not because they adapted themselves to "what people want" but because they gave free reign to their passion and individuality. And it always turns out that the audience was utterly starved for something new. Oh yes. It's been proved time and time and time again. Fred Astaire (can't act, slightly bald, can kind of dance), Charlie Chaplin (too silly), Sidney Poitier (should get a dishwashing job), Walt Disney (unimaginative), Oprah Winfrey (reputedly fired as a reporter for being "unfit for tv" boy was that a mistake!), The Beatles (guitar music is outdated), Elvis (probably too sexy) , J.K. Rowling (very big publisher oops), Stephen King (ditto).
Publishers and "authorities" are bullies, that's all; egotists trying to hold onto their power, trying to control their world. They can never have enough uniformity, it keeps them safe. Or that's what they believe. But here's the curious thing. They could be so much safer if they recognized talent and newness and understood how much it is craved by the multitude.
How misguided can you be? And really, aren't there already enough people spewing out formulaic crap that has no life in it, is predictable and utterly dull dull dull?
The funny thing right, it's side-splittingly funny is that the authority bullies never ask anybody real what they like. They don't actually speak to anybody and say "excuse me, what do you think of this or that?" Their bullying isn't based on anything real at all. It's not clever, it's not perceptive, it's not street smart. Ever. It's based on their own fear-driven, control-freak-driven narrow-mindedness. Greed might play a little role in there. They don't think they'll make so much money if they take a risk on an individual. Well the joke always ends up being on them. Always. Think of all the publishers who rejected J.K. Rowling! They must kicking themselves. And they deserve all the bruises they self-inflict, that's what I say!
All of us, artist and audience alike, we're all human, we're not sheep or lemmings. We all have hearts and souls and minds and we all long to be touched by somebody's passion and when we are touched by it, we all register it. I know it's true, because if it wasn't the bright individuals would never rise above the mundane, to shine like stars for the rest of us to be inspired by. There's real logic for you.
Personally I love to hear somebody say "whatever you do, don't try to please people. Be real, be passionate, take risks".
Robert de Niro said that. Good on you, Mr. de Niro.
(c) Jennifer Stewart 2010
This Article has been viewed 1,294 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)I think publishers are starting to recognize the craving of new writing styles, etc..Unfortunately, it is still a business. It is still alot about advertisement, marketing, and sales. You have to figure in those things too.Good writing!Thanks for the strokes, Jennifer. My point about business is the so-called big businessmen (or women, right, let's not be sexist here!) often get the business part completely wrong - e.g. J.K. Rowling et al!
Great article, with a lot of truth in it. Unfortunately, I don't think it will change the publishing game. Too bad, because I know stuff I write that isn't something I'm passionate/excited about if pretty lame.I know it won't change a thing, alas! Thanks for your comment.
Very insightful article- indicates great understanding of human nature.- Thanks- Always-EllaThat's a great compliment, Ella, thanks.
Thanks for the essay. I find myself simply using this as a way to express myself. Somtimes I use it for practice. Like the last two. I tried "scary" Then I tried "funny". It helps me develop. I find ones like the Shackleton one takes a lot of work while the Unrequited Love one took less than an hour. If there is emotion it comes out easy and people like it.It was a pleasure, thanks for reading it - and giving it such a great rating!!! I've never tried "scary" - I think I would give myself nightmares! - but you've given me food for thought - experimenting with different styles or disciplines, I mean.
Only when we overcome the Eight Worldly Winds that blow us around will our writings be of benefit to anyone, including ourselves.
1. Getting what you want
2. Avoiding getting what you do not want
3. Wanting (instant) happiness
4. Not wanting unhappiness
5. Wanting fame
6. Not wanting to be unknown
7. Wanting praise
8. Not wanting blame.Do I call you E. or E. Raymond? Thanks for the great rating, and your comments, but I'm not sure I completely agree with you: I understand the merit of grappling with whatever influence the Eight Worldly Winds has on us, but I don't think our artistic expression has no merit until we reach perfection. I think it is the fact that we aren't perfect that reaches those around us. After all, this is the human experience.You can call me e. Fewer keystrokes!
By benefit I meant not being reborn into the physical realm of human suffering. Probably an improper comment within this context. I apologize. '
Metta......eE it is then!
YES! To your own self be true....I love that quote! Thanks for your support.
i agree with the titleThanks, Jash - don't you agree with the content, though?!
Liked your article a lot. A lot like real life. Writers are the artists promoting new ideas. Producers/publishers/whoever only want ideas that are already making money, safe low risk investments. Very few take the risk to back a new idea. Those that do take the risks, soon become the big names in the business.However, along with the publishers attaining the fame and fortune, comes the fear of losing them by taking the risk of backing the new ideas.It's true what you say. Those guys are really pretty screwed up, aren't they?!The thing I try to remember is that they can say no to an artist, but they can't stop that artist from flourishing, they don't have that kind of power.Thanks for commenting, and liking my article a lot!It's true what you say. Those guys are really screwed up, aren't they?!I try to remember that they can say no to an artist but they can't stop the artist from flourishing, they don't have that kind of power.Thanks for commenting, and for liking my article a lot, Bob!
I see your points, Jennifer. There has got to be a point of balance between people write and what the reader is interested in. I think you can achieve both, and touch a multitude of lives.Thanks for your comment, Lorrie. I agree with you about balance.
Hi Jennifer.Not that this is particularly pertinent (don't you love alliteration), but just the other day Bernd was trying to decide where to take his car for an oil change. He just didn't want to do it himself. He had several ads for similar deals and couldn't make up his mind which to choose. He asked me for help. I told him he was trying to logically figure out the perfect choice and that maybe there was no perfect choice. So then he wanted to know what he should do. I told him to decide from emotion rather than logic. He made up his mind in no time.More pertinently, I've tried in the past to figure out what sort of jewelry will sell the best and to the most people. I have failed miserably and always end up making what pleases me. Writing is like that too.Kudos from one semi-non-conformist,Dianne
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