Welcome, readers, writers, authors,
and bloggers!
We're glad you're here! It's the
First Wednesday of the month; when we celebrate IWSG Day in the form of a blog hop featuring
members and guests of the Insecure
Writer's Support Group. Founded by author Alex Cavanaugh (Thank you, Captain!) and fostered by like-minded
associates, IWSG is a comfortable place to share views and literary news as we
record our journeys. Check out our monthly
newsletter here.
The awesome
co-hosts for the May 7 posting of the IWSG are Feather Stone, Janet Alcorn, Rebecca Douglass, Jemima Pett, and Pat Garcia!
Today’s
entirely optional question: Some common fears writers share are rejection, failure,
success, and lack of talent or ability. What are your greatest fears as a writer,
and how do you manage them?
By
listing all the common (been there, done that) fears, this question really gets
to the heart of what’s left of the
matter when comes to the final little shadow of fear that looms in the corner
of my peripheral conscientiousness like the old White Elephant that everyone
considered an attainable treasure until it appeared in “the room” unannounced.
I call it relevance, and it’s what I’m afraid of losing. It’s also the elephant
that no one wants to talk about. How do
I even know I ever had it? Here are a few thoughts…
“Relevance to me is about being creative and
doing things you believe in, whether that’s music or acting or painting a
picture, or whatever it is.
~ Larry
Mullen Jr.
Yeah, I
agree with that idea. Until or unless losing relevance is a deal-breaker. Do I
then stop writing? Ride dejectedly off into the sunset, dropping useless words
behind me in the sun-scorched sand?
“The concept that an artist would be revered by popular
culture is an immediate dismissal of his relevance as an artist.” ~ Thomas Kinkade
If that
sounds harsh, there’s this:
“The most striking fault in work by young or
beginning novelists, submitted for criticism -- is irrelevance – due either to
infatuation or indecision. To direct such an author’s attention to the imperative
of relevance is certainly the most useful – and possibly the only – help that
can be given.” ~ Elizabeth Bowen
Oof! Let’s read on,
“Relevance
is kind of a weird thing. If one does topical material, it makes sense to want
to be relevant. But if someone talks about donut sprinkles, it’s not quite as
important. Unless the US Supreme Court
makes a decision outlawing donut sprinkles.” ~ Brian Regan
Perhaps I’d
best quit while I’m smiling ;-)
Wishing
everyone a wonderfully productive month of May!
I like Larry Mullen's quote a lot. You're relevant if you write what you need to say.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie!
DeleteI think you're relevant only if and when you matter or make a difference, whether it be to just a few or many. Enjoying what you do is a bonus ;-)
I like the last one!
ReplyDeleteIf irrelevance is of youth, you and I have nothing to worry about...
Hi Alex,
DeleteHa! Can't say I disagree ;-)
Relevance is a tricky concept. Relevant to whom? To how many people? If I have a small audience that loves my work, am I relevant? If my work resonates with just one person but in a way that brightens their day, am I relevant? I don't aspire to cultural relevance, mostly because I largely ignore what most people consider culturally relevant, and because I'm too quirky to have broad appeal. And I'm OK with that. Usually.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet!
DeleteI'm reminded of the busker who played violin on the sidewalk each day for the enjoyment of four kittens. They were almost grown before the musician ever received a coin in his hat, but I bet he already felt rich.
So, yes. An audience, large or small, is still proof that you are alive and relevant ;-) Thank you for co-hosting!
"I don't aspire to cultural relevance, mostly because I largely ignore what most people consider culturally relevant"
Delete👏👏👏
I'm not completely sure I know what relevance is in this context. Is genre fiction ever "relevant"? I'll settle for "gives someone pleasure."
ReplyDeleteIt is if you have an audience for it ;-) Thank you for co-hosting!
DeleteI agree with all the comments above. What does relevance matter if you aren't writing what you love?
ReplyDeleteExactly. That sure simplifies the issue ;-)
Delete