Ms. Reid, You're not kidding. I told Toni I thought that post was absolute poetry. What else can be said about the real reason genre fiction holds strong, but that it's an escape that many people don't just love, but NEED.
A friend of mine once told me, "art saves lives." I think this is holds true for literature too. I mean, where would any of us be without that one book (and everyone knows which one it was for them) that helped you through a dark time, or changed the way you look at the world. And really, is there a better reason to write?
I am writing about a young girl that is simply too smart for her own good and completely lacking in the wisdom that would otherwise prevent her from tilting at windmills.
I have always envisioned this body of work as something to entertain young readers first and foremost. The ulterior motive being to entice kids into seeing just how cool science and the future can be. What I have never envisioned was that my work might serve as a temporary respite for someone in need of diversion from the dreadful reality of the moment.
Something new to ponder and this certainly motivates.
Wow. Just wow. Now I want to write a story for my sister and brother in law, and their two daughters, who lost a son and twin brother because of a fight over an X-Box. He ran away and died after falling out of a tree.
Sandra, I'm so sorry. We heard about your nephew - I'm sure everyone in Canada has. That was such a tragic loss - and the way it happened was so unfair. Please know that your family is in thoughts all over the country - including right here. God bless you all.
Sandra, I feel foolish saying anything when you and your family's grief must be so great- words don't seem enough. But my condolences to you all as well.
Thanks, BJ and Sarah (whispers)*but I don't want to hijack Janet's blog*
I truly appreciate everyone's support in a difficult time. As Janet pointed out, we as writers must sometimes think of ways to give readers what they really, really need to make their upside down worlds right side up.
Recently Nathan Bransford asked if we write for cash or acclaim: I said I write for both.
After reading this link I really know why I write. Because I want to give people, like those tormented souls described in the link, a safe place to go when they need it.
An utterly superb and inspiring link. I can't wait to get to today's writing quota. Thanks Janet!
Sometimes, when I feel myself slipping into the fog and know that maybe this time ... maybe ... I won't come out of it with the same thoughts and abilities I had when the mists rose ... and I can't read, or maybe I can't talk for a while ... and the tears run with a will of their own, and my mouth goes dry ... and I get so cold, so very cold ... because along with the mist my body tempreture falls ... I think a story ... just to stay alive.
I was near tears reading this link.. It's inspiring and humbling. Makes me think deeper about the audience I write for (or will write for). Also above all it reminds me that we should always appreciate life and cherish it.
I was once that guy in the hospital room...the one who was lost in the the eyes of the nurses and doctors and administrators, the one filling out the forms and smiling at everyone with no clue. But I had a secret weapon: my work. When I went home at night, writing romance was the only thing that temporarily silenced the beeps and whistles of the intensive care unit (Grey Goose couldn't even do that!). Editors were wonderful; they gave constant support and extended deadlines. But I needed more; I needed to work. And I not only met all my deadlines that year, I was ahead of schedule.
The weird thing is that now when I go back and read the books that were published then (and I rarely do that), all the sounds of the ICU come rushing back again.
If only one thing I ever wrote helped just one person get through a life crisis or a devastating period, then it was all worth it.
Joe Iriarte said... Well, Ryan, at the very least, it sounds like it helped you. That's gotta count, doesn't it?
It does, and it did. But what really made me think twice about this post was that maybe something I've written could have done this for someone else (to help the escape). I'm not in any big books. A lot of small ones that add up over the years to a huge pile. And to be honest, I never really thought about this before. But I do know that when you go to places like Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia books are everywhere. Free books that people have donated. And people are reading them everywhere too.
Janet, thank you for linking there--very kind of you [and you ROCK]. The comments here and from so many visitors from your site (wow) awed me. Genuinely, thank you.
(and btw, Fiona is, by the way, one of the nicest, coolest people to meet in person.)
Thanks for posting that link. It can be daunting, thinking of all of the suffering that goes on in the world, and how there is truly always someone, somewhere in straits much more dire than our own.
Thank you so much for the link. I sent it to my creative writing professor, who sent it to everyone in my class. Later I got an e-mail back from the professor saying that one of my class members needed to read just that right now with his writing.
35 comments:
Thank you.
Ms. Reid,
You're not kidding. I told Toni I thought that post was absolute poetry. What else can be said about the real reason genre fiction holds strong, but that it's an escape that many people don't just love, but NEED.
A friend of mine once told me, "art saves lives." I think this is holds true for literature too. I mean, where would any of us be without that one book (and everyone knows which one it was for them) that helped you through a dark time, or changed the way you look at the world. And really, is there a better reason to write?
I think it goes without saying I liked this post.
I am writing about a young girl that is simply too smart for her own good and completely lacking in the wisdom that would otherwise prevent her from tilting at windmills.
I have always envisioned this body of work as something to entertain young readers first and foremost. The ulterior motive being to entice kids into seeing just how cool science and the future can be.
What I have never envisioned was that my work might serve as a temporary respite for someone in need of diversion from the dreadful reality of the moment.
Something new to ponder and this certainly motivates.
Thanks for posting the link.
Thank you. This very beautifully puts into words why I write what I do.
Wow. Just wow. Now I want to write a story for my sister and brother in law, and their two daughters, who lost a son and twin brother because of a fight over an X-Box. He ran away and died after falling out of a tree.
What can I write to make them feel better?
It's a tall order. I don't know if I can reach.
But... I'll try.
Sandra,
words utterly fail me.
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Thank you for linking this. I found it powerful and uplifting.
thanks, Janet, I needed that.
Thanks, Janet. That means a lot from you.
I'm crying. That's wonderful and challenging. Thank you for the link.
Sandra, I'm so sorry. We heard about your nephew - I'm sure everyone in Canada has. That was such a tragic loss - and the way it happened was so unfair. Please know that your family is in thoughts all over the country - including right here. God bless you all.
Sandra, I feel foolish saying anything when you and your family's grief must be so great- words don't seem enough. But my condolences to you all as well.
Thanks, BJ and Sarah (whispers)*but I don't want to hijack Janet's blog*
I truly appreciate everyone's support in a difficult time. As Janet pointed out, we as writers must sometimes think of ways to give readers what they really, really need to make their upside down worlds right side up.
Very touching link, and hope for writers who can come up with a new story that will take their readers away.
Thank you, Janet.
Brilliant link!
Recently Nathan Bransford asked if we write for cash or acclaim: I said I write for both.
After reading this link I really know why I write. Because I want to give people, like those tormented souls described in the link, a safe place to go when they need it.
An utterly superb and inspiring link. I can't wait to get to today's writing quota. Thanks Janet!
Sometimes, when I feel myself slipping into the fog and know that maybe this time ... maybe ... I won't come out of it with the same thoughts and abilities I had when the mists rose ... and I can't read, or maybe I can't talk for a while ... and the tears run with a will of their own, and my mouth goes dry ... and I get so cold, so very cold ... because along with the mist my body tempreture falls ... I think a story ... just to stay alive.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/index.htm
I was near tears reading this link.. It's inspiring and humbling. Makes me think deeper about the audience I write for (or will write for). Also above all it reminds me that we should always appreciate life and cherish it.
I was once that guy in the hospital room...the one who was lost in the the eyes of the nurses and doctors and administrators, the one filling out the forms and smiling at everyone with no clue. But I had a secret weapon: my work. When I went home at night, writing romance was the only thing that temporarily silenced the beeps and whistles of the intensive care unit (Grey Goose couldn't even do that!). Editors were wonderful; they gave constant support and extended deadlines. But I needed more; I needed to work. And I not only met all my deadlines that year, I was ahead of schedule.
The weird thing is that now when I go back and read the books that were published then (and I rarely do that), all the sounds of the ICU come rushing back again.
If only one thing I ever wrote helped just one person get through a life crisis or a devastating period, then it was all worth it.
That is a great post. So inspiring. thanks.
Well, Ryan, at the very least, it sounds like it helped you. That's gotta count, doesn't it?
Thank you for the link, Janet!! WOW!!
Blessings for a Happy Thanksgiving!
I had the pleasure of meeting Toni at the RWA conference in SF. She is an amazing person.
Thanks for directing others to this fantastic post.
Joe Iriarte said...
Well, Ryan, at the very least, it sounds like it helped you. That's gotta count, doesn't it?
It does, and it did. But what really made me think twice about this post was that maybe something I've written could have done this for someone else (to help the escape). I'm not in any big books. A lot of small ones that add up over the years to a huge pile. And to be honest, I never really thought about this before. But I do know that when you go to places like Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia books are everywhere. Free books that people have donated. And people are reading them everywhere too.
That gave me chills, Janet. Thanks for posting. Maybe it even motivated me a wee bit.
Janet,
thank you for reminding us that we have much to be grateful for, and that there are people out there who need our support.
Sandra, the story of your nephew broke my heart when I heard it. Condolences to you and your family. I can't even begin to imagine.
xx
AM
Janet, thank you for linking there--very kind of you [and you ROCK]. The comments here and from so many visitors from your site (wow) awed me. Genuinely, thank you.
(and btw, Fiona is, by the way, one of the nicest, coolest people to meet in person.)
Thanks for posting that link. It can be daunting, thinking of all of the suffering that goes on in the world, and how there is truly always someone, somewhere in straits much more dire than our own.
How was it I missed Toni's post?
Thanks for the link.
Wow. Thank you, more than I could possibly convey, for sharing this.
Toni's work is inspiring. Thank you for the link.
Sandra, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Thank you so much for the link. I sent it to my creative writing professor, who sent it to everyone in my class. Later I got an e-mail back from the professor saying that one of my class members needed to read just that right now with his writing.
THANK YOU.
Happy Thanksgiving.
I saw this one from a post by Jordan Dane (MWA) and yes, it makes quite an impression. Very sobering.
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