Writer's Doom

[pjthompson]

"When a writer is born into a family, the family is doomed."

—Czeslaw Milosz


Depends on the family. Depends on the writer. Depends on the writer's subject matter. But yes.

Discuss.

:-)

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

But you said it, right here:

Depends on the family. Depends on the writer. Depends on the writer's subject matter. But yes.

[pjthompson]

LOL. And as my Slavic friend Barbara said, "Czeslaw is such a Slav. We think that doom and gloom are our birthright."

[kimberlychapman.livejournal.com]

Ah, but which is the cause and which is the effect? I would argue that a doomed family is more likely to produce a writer, since good writing, as with most creative arts, comes largely from suffering.

My childhood was full of abuse and heartache. I don't speak to my parents anymore. My reviewers cry at my writing. I believe there's a connection...it's easier to tug on heartstrings when you've grown up having yours ripped to shreds on a regular basis.

[pjthompson]

The doom of the family comes in the writer exposing the family secrets to the world, I believe.

I would agree that many artists of all stripes have a Wound somewhere in their background, but I don't believe it's an absolute requirement. I think that a writer who has experienced pain and can write from the inside of a feeling can sometimes write some very powerful stuff. Other times, it can seem self-indulgent, even exploitive. It's a fine line to walk, never easy.

[maggiemotley.livejournal.com]

This is something I worry about. I know that Enid Blyton's daughter wrote an autobiography claiming that her mother was a heroine to everybody else's children but distant and severe with her own.

It's no easy job to balance the demands of parenthood with the need to be true to the self. I don't think I've got the proportion right yet.

[pjthompson]

I know that worries you, pet, but Enid Blyton is one writer. Ralph Fiennes talks in lovely glowing terms about his mother the novelist and I could site other examples. Every writer, every family is different.

It's a hell of a hard job being a parent regardless of what else you do. I think you're splendid at it.

[maggiemotley.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Auntie Pam. You always make me feel better :-)