Writers don’t write because they want to, they do it because they HAVE to a d GET to! It’s a gift and a craft. A creator, artist, writer, actor, musician etc. has a biological imperative to create. Another great piece. Thank you for using your gift.
“Over the past twenty years—basically since the digitization of writing, moving from a physical art to a digital one—we have somehow arrived at this point where we feel that “everyone is a writer.’”
I say this all the time. People will hear that I’ve written a memoir (WHICH WAS A PAINSTAKING WORK OF LITERARY CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT COULD ONLY RESULT FROM A LITERAL LIFETIME OF PRACTICING THIS ART FORM), and they will invariably respond,
“Oh! I should do that too sometime!”
Madame do you say that to a violin player after a night at the symphony? “Oh, I should do that too sometime?”
See - the thing here is - one does really need to differentiate between fiction versus non-fiction writing.
I hold myself out not only as a writer - but also a ghostwriter. So - I deem myself good enough to even put others' thoughts into words.
But no way in hell would I attempt to write fiction - as myself or for anyone else. Writing 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 fiction is as you say such an utterly complex & nuanced thing. The fantastic author & e-mentor Kristin McTiernan said that to even be asked to ghostwrite a fiction book is a red flag & demonstrates a complete failure to understand what a fiction work is.
Whilst 'anyone' can be an artist or have an artist in them - heck - throw a pair of wet jeans on a pedestal at the Tate & call it a day - being 𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘵 at a given craft, no, not everyone is, & not all crafts are viable for all people to excel at.
Sep 30, 2022·edited Sep 30, 2022Liked by Sincere American Writing
I remember when I first got my hands on a camera. I was in early recovery and taking photos of bands was the only way I could give myself permission to be in a bar. I was really good at taking photos. I had a great eye, but I had no idea how to use the camera properly. I would push a bunch of buttons, get the lighting differently, by moving things around. I was just winging it. I had so much fun, and the photos turned out so well. Some of my photos ended up in the local news paper, a band used one on their record cover. I took photos for a couple of years. I never called myself a photographer though, no way. I would just tell people "Ya, I take photos of bands." REAL photographers went to school, they understand the camera, they live and breathe photography. I just took photos.
One weekend I was visiting my Aunt & Uncle in Colorado. My Uncle Joe has been a photographer his whole life. It is his identity, more than just something he does. He was talking about starting a photo gallery in New Mexico and I said "Oh! Maybe one day I could have some photos there!" He looked at me dead pan with almost a disgusted look on his face and shook his head. "Everyone with an I phone thinks they are a photographer." He was agitated that an entire generation was able to take photos and share them so effortlessly. He hated that technology was so good that the camera itself did most of the work.
But still, It felt like a punch to the stomach. I can't tell you how many times I have had interactions like that when it comes to different art forms. Our society can be really pretentious when it comes to art. And that attitude my Uncle has is the attitude of a lot of people. And I think that attitude creates fear in people and it is what keeps millions of people from creating or stepping fully into the desires of their heart. They will constantly tell themselves they are not good enough, educated enough or real enough. The desire of their heart is not enough to try. How dare I put my photo next to someone who went to school for photography?!
I have been writing poems, songs, meditations my whole life, but dare I call myself a writer? If I compare myself to you then no, I am not a writer. But if I don't compare myself to you, and don't care about what people think of me, then yes. I would call myself a writer. But if I keep telling myself I am not a real writer then I will never write. I will never put my stories on paper or give myself an opportunity to learn about writing.
Life is the biggest canvas and what we create with our lives is Art. I love the thought that if I run, I am a runner, and if I write, then I am a writer, regardless of what it looks like in my life. Does that mean I am good at it, just because I do it? Maybe not. But it takes so much courage to even try.
I think it is controversial to say not everyone is an artist.
Is every writer a good writer? I think the answer is No. Like you said. Writing is a craft.
If the question is "Is every writer an artist?" I think the answer is yes because I think we are all artists creating all of the time in thousands of different ways, and if we support each other in our creations, regardless of our experiencing, then we are nurturing art in this world and we are not keeping people from creating out of fear that they just simply aren't good enough to create.
Who knows, maybe if my Uncle would have nurtured my gift and said yes, you could be in the gallery some day. It would take hard work, and things to learn, but yes. You can do it! Then I would have kept going. I would have called myself a photographer and became a photographer.
You were writing before you ever called yourself a writer. You have been a writer the entire time, before you knew HOW to write.
Because you were born an artist. And that is the art form you chose.
Love you Friend, just my thoughts.
PS I did appreciate this post and understand your point of view. This is just what it brought up inside of me and wanted to share.
Thanks for the comment. One thing I LOVE about the Substack model is that it seems to really support and incentivize kind, thoughtful discussion versus rabid rage such as on Twitter and Facebook, etc. Yes, I hear you. I think our views might not necessarily be as different as you think. Or rather: We’re coming at the same idea but from different perspectives, maybe. I would never discourage anyone from pursuing what they love to do. I see where your uncle was coming from, but I agree it would have been better, just simply out of love and kindness, to support you, if for no other reason than…love and kindness. (And also it legitimately might have been the fuse that lit your ambition to do photography professionally, etc.)
That said: I don’t believe that people “become artists.” You either are one or you’re not. You brought up the school thing. Personally I don’t think formal education has ANYTHING to do with serious art. If anything I think school is mostly a sham driven by universities trying to make money. (The MFA program for sure.) I identify as an artist because it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, and it’s always been the way I know how to best express myself. I’ve always wanted to be deeply understood (impossible, I now know) and writing has always been the vehicle for that expression. Think it was Louis CK or one of those comedians who said, “If people putting you down is going to stop you from being a comedian…you were never a comedian to begin with.” I agree. Being an artist isn’t about college or even knowledge. It’s a deep, unshakable drive from within which cannot be ruined or ignored. I know you tried writing, music, etc. No question (in my mind) you have strong talent in both, especially music. (Although I still think you should write a book some day.) But in the end I think those were sidebars which led you ultimately to spiritual healing work, which you now do. I think this is your true passion.
I like the democratization of everything nowadays in many respects. But on the flip side I worry that it goes too far. The problem isn’t people like you who have genuine talent and want to write or do music or paint etc…it’s the mass of people who write a terribly-written “book” and throw it on Amazon without editing and tell everyone they’re an author. Unfortunately this is very, very common. You’ll see hundreds of books online riddled with spelling errors, unedited, etc. The idea that “everyone is a writer” reminds me of Facebook (everyone has a view that “deserves” or “should” be expressed) and Covid. The Covid thing is different and yet I feel it’s similar in many ways. Due to the internet and political polarization and the fragmentation of media; since 2020 suddenly everyone has become “an expert.” You talk to ten different people about Covid and you’ll get ten different responses. Many will claim to know more than the doctors. Some will buy into conspiracy theories. Some will just blatantly think along party lines. But either way they all seem to think they know what’s best.
It’s similar, I think, with writing, and art now in general. (Though obviously not important in the literal way that Covid is, thank God.) Since the tools and platforms are out there for any Tom, Dick and Harry to use, everyone is suddenly a “writer.” For me it’s a respect thing. You wouldn’t ask a plumber to explain a heart problem. You wouldn’t ask a heart surgeon to fix a pipe issue. So why do people think that just because they can scribble some words down on a page and “publish” it they are “writers.” I get how this sounds judgmental and patronizing and pretentious: I guess it is! But it’s just my perspective. In high school I played drums in a few bands but I would never identify as a serious musician. You are a spiritual healer. I’m certain there must be tens of thousands of people out there who watch a few YouTube videos, create a basic Word Press website, and call themselves the same. Does that make them a spiritual healer? I’d say no; it makes them silly.
So, again: I agree 100% with you: Everyone who wants to write or paint or play music or do whatever should absolutely DO IT. But, I would just encourage people to respect those of us who have not only talent but that deep inner drive, and that calling which has always been with us. (Not to mention those of us who have put in literally decades of effort against all odds.) By the way: I feel very much an “outsider” myself in the writing industry/literary world. I find THEM often very pretentious and exclusive and cliquey. So I get your POV. My 18-year-old niece is a big reader and she likes to write. I keep half-joking that she’ll be a novelist. But in all seriousness if she really seems inspired I will definitely support her. I’ll support her either way. But where she takes it will be entirely up to her and who she is inside.
Writers don’t write because they want to, they do it because they HAVE to a d GET to! It’s a gift and a craft. A creator, artist, writer, actor, musician etc. has a biological imperative to create. Another great piece. Thank you for using your gift.
“Over the past twenty years—basically since the digitization of writing, moving from a physical art to a digital one—we have somehow arrived at this point where we feel that “everyone is a writer.’”
I say this all the time. People will hear that I’ve written a memoir (WHICH WAS A PAINSTAKING WORK OF LITERARY CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT COULD ONLY RESULT FROM A LITERAL LIFETIME OF PRACTICING THIS ART FORM), and they will invariably respond,
“Oh! I should do that too sometime!”
Madame do you say that to a violin player after a night at the symphony? “Oh, I should do that too sometime?”
See - the thing here is - one does really need to differentiate between fiction versus non-fiction writing.
I hold myself out not only as a writer - but also a ghostwriter. So - I deem myself good enough to even put others' thoughts into words.
But no way in hell would I attempt to write fiction - as myself or for anyone else. Writing 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 fiction is as you say such an utterly complex & nuanced thing. The fantastic author & e-mentor Kristin McTiernan said that to even be asked to ghostwrite a fiction book is a red flag & demonstrates a complete failure to understand what a fiction work is.
Whilst 'anyone' can be an artist or have an artist in them - heck - throw a pair of wet jeans on a pedestal at the Tate & call it a day - being 𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘵 at a given craft, no, not everyone is, & not all crafts are viable for all people to excel at.
Oh I really feel so much of this in so many ways.
I remember when I first got my hands on a camera. I was in early recovery and taking photos of bands was the only way I could give myself permission to be in a bar. I was really good at taking photos. I had a great eye, but I had no idea how to use the camera properly. I would push a bunch of buttons, get the lighting differently, by moving things around. I was just winging it. I had so much fun, and the photos turned out so well. Some of my photos ended up in the local news paper, a band used one on their record cover. I took photos for a couple of years. I never called myself a photographer though, no way. I would just tell people "Ya, I take photos of bands." REAL photographers went to school, they understand the camera, they live and breathe photography. I just took photos.
One weekend I was visiting my Aunt & Uncle in Colorado. My Uncle Joe has been a photographer his whole life. It is his identity, more than just something he does. He was talking about starting a photo gallery in New Mexico and I said "Oh! Maybe one day I could have some photos there!" He looked at me dead pan with almost a disgusted look on his face and shook his head. "Everyone with an I phone thinks they are a photographer." He was agitated that an entire generation was able to take photos and share them so effortlessly. He hated that technology was so good that the camera itself did most of the work.
But still, It felt like a punch to the stomach. I can't tell you how many times I have had interactions like that when it comes to different art forms. Our society can be really pretentious when it comes to art. And that attitude my Uncle has is the attitude of a lot of people. And I think that attitude creates fear in people and it is what keeps millions of people from creating or stepping fully into the desires of their heart. They will constantly tell themselves they are not good enough, educated enough or real enough. The desire of their heart is not enough to try. How dare I put my photo next to someone who went to school for photography?!
I have been writing poems, songs, meditations my whole life, but dare I call myself a writer? If I compare myself to you then no, I am not a writer. But if I don't compare myself to you, and don't care about what people think of me, then yes. I would call myself a writer. But if I keep telling myself I am not a real writer then I will never write. I will never put my stories on paper or give myself an opportunity to learn about writing.
Life is the biggest canvas and what we create with our lives is Art. I love the thought that if I run, I am a runner, and if I write, then I am a writer, regardless of what it looks like in my life. Does that mean I am good at it, just because I do it? Maybe not. But it takes so much courage to even try.
I think it is controversial to say not everyone is an artist.
Is every writer a good writer? I think the answer is No. Like you said. Writing is a craft.
If the question is "Is every writer an artist?" I think the answer is yes because I think we are all artists creating all of the time in thousands of different ways, and if we support each other in our creations, regardless of our experiencing, then we are nurturing art in this world and we are not keeping people from creating out of fear that they just simply aren't good enough to create.
Who knows, maybe if my Uncle would have nurtured my gift and said yes, you could be in the gallery some day. It would take hard work, and things to learn, but yes. You can do it! Then I would have kept going. I would have called myself a photographer and became a photographer.
You were writing before you ever called yourself a writer. You have been a writer the entire time, before you knew HOW to write.
Because you were born an artist. And that is the art form you chose.
Love you Friend, just my thoughts.
PS I did appreciate this post and understand your point of view. This is just what it brought up inside of me and wanted to share.
Thanks for the comment. One thing I LOVE about the Substack model is that it seems to really support and incentivize kind, thoughtful discussion versus rabid rage such as on Twitter and Facebook, etc. Yes, I hear you. I think our views might not necessarily be as different as you think. Or rather: We’re coming at the same idea but from different perspectives, maybe. I would never discourage anyone from pursuing what they love to do. I see where your uncle was coming from, but I agree it would have been better, just simply out of love and kindness, to support you, if for no other reason than…love and kindness. (And also it legitimately might have been the fuse that lit your ambition to do photography professionally, etc.)
That said: I don’t believe that people “become artists.” You either are one or you’re not. You brought up the school thing. Personally I don’t think formal education has ANYTHING to do with serious art. If anything I think school is mostly a sham driven by universities trying to make money. (The MFA program for sure.) I identify as an artist because it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, and it’s always been the way I know how to best express myself. I’ve always wanted to be deeply understood (impossible, I now know) and writing has always been the vehicle for that expression. Think it was Louis CK or one of those comedians who said, “If people putting you down is going to stop you from being a comedian…you were never a comedian to begin with.” I agree. Being an artist isn’t about college or even knowledge. It’s a deep, unshakable drive from within which cannot be ruined or ignored. I know you tried writing, music, etc. No question (in my mind) you have strong talent in both, especially music. (Although I still think you should write a book some day.) But in the end I think those were sidebars which led you ultimately to spiritual healing work, which you now do. I think this is your true passion.
I like the democratization of everything nowadays in many respects. But on the flip side I worry that it goes too far. The problem isn’t people like you who have genuine talent and want to write or do music or paint etc…it’s the mass of people who write a terribly-written “book” and throw it on Amazon without editing and tell everyone they’re an author. Unfortunately this is very, very common. You’ll see hundreds of books online riddled with spelling errors, unedited, etc. The idea that “everyone is a writer” reminds me of Facebook (everyone has a view that “deserves” or “should” be expressed) and Covid. The Covid thing is different and yet I feel it’s similar in many ways. Due to the internet and political polarization and the fragmentation of media; since 2020 suddenly everyone has become “an expert.” You talk to ten different people about Covid and you’ll get ten different responses. Many will claim to know more than the doctors. Some will buy into conspiracy theories. Some will just blatantly think along party lines. But either way they all seem to think they know what’s best.
It’s similar, I think, with writing, and art now in general. (Though obviously not important in the literal way that Covid is, thank God.) Since the tools and platforms are out there for any Tom, Dick and Harry to use, everyone is suddenly a “writer.” For me it’s a respect thing. You wouldn’t ask a plumber to explain a heart problem. You wouldn’t ask a heart surgeon to fix a pipe issue. So why do people think that just because they can scribble some words down on a page and “publish” it they are “writers.” I get how this sounds judgmental and patronizing and pretentious: I guess it is! But it’s just my perspective. In high school I played drums in a few bands but I would never identify as a serious musician. You are a spiritual healer. I’m certain there must be tens of thousands of people out there who watch a few YouTube videos, create a basic Word Press website, and call themselves the same. Does that make them a spiritual healer? I’d say no; it makes them silly.
So, again: I agree 100% with you: Everyone who wants to write or paint or play music or do whatever should absolutely DO IT. But, I would just encourage people to respect those of us who have not only talent but that deep inner drive, and that calling which has always been with us. (Not to mention those of us who have put in literally decades of effort against all odds.) By the way: I feel very much an “outsider” myself in the writing industry/literary world. I find THEM often very pretentious and exclusive and cliquey. So I get your POV. My 18-year-old niece is a big reader and she likes to write. I keep half-joking that she’ll be a novelist. But in all seriousness if she really seems inspired I will definitely support her. I’ll support her either way. But where she takes it will be entirely up to her and who she is inside.
Michael