Tonya, one of Scribble Chicks' faithful readers, posed the following question today:This is off topic, but I always read that writers should read the classics. Are there any successful writers that aren't in love with classic literature? I have tried and have a hard time getting into it. Do you have any advice in that area?
Why yes, I do, Tonya! Here goes...
While I definitely enjoy some of the classics, especially anything Austen, A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway and Tender is the Night by fellow St. Paul native F. Scott Fitzgerald, I can definitely relate to your sentiment that it's not exactly easy getting into them—especially if you were forced to read Jane Eyre and Fahrenheit 451 against your will, numerous times, like I was in junior high when Judy Blume was my author of choice.
The trouble with classics is often two-fold. The unusual language alone can be a barrier (I mean no one really uses words like "thither" and "felicity" in real life, right), and the sentences are much, much longer than our slightly A-D-D, Twitter-lovin' culture is accustomed to. And no matter how many times my hubby tells me I absolutely must read War and Peace, I have the hardest time keeping all the characters straight because of all those very, very long Russian names.
After all, when you have a notebook beside you while reading War and Peace just to keep track of said Russian names, I think that ultimately steals a little of the pleasure of the reading experience.
So most of the time, I also find myself gravitating toward books that are decidedly more modern, and I'm a firm believer that there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. When you're writing, I think it serves anyone best to read as much as you can from your given genre. That's what inevitably sharpens and inspires your writing, what ensures you're familiar with what's already being done, what provides a reference point when pitching your future agent/publisher about what might compete with what you're doing.
Plus, I have always believed that great writers are also great readers. You simply can't do one well without the other. And whether you're go-to literature is the classics or the latest crime thriller, you're still reading, which is what counts most. Yes, I definitely think there's a lot we can learn from great writers like Tolstoy, Hemingway, Alcott and Austen, but if that's not your literary cup of tea, don't worry. Just make sure you find your favorites and learn from what they do well.
thanks Christa! I feel like I have something wrong with me for note being in love with the classics! Maybe one day I'll pick up Jane Austen again and enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI agree one million percent!!! I have a hard time with the classics too (well. Aside from Austen) and always felt SO guilty whenever they would harp on how important it was to read the classics at writing conferences. Thanks for this, Christa!!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, ladies. I think there's also pressure from the literary elite to love the classics or perish. But really, when it comes right down to it, it's knowing what you enjoy—and why—that's really important. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm attending a writing conference soon, and I was just wondering, do you need an agent in order for an editor to be interested in you and possibly accept your manuscript? This is probably a stupid question, but I need to establish it before I research much further. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI have such a hard time reading classics! but i never bothers me until someone brings up Jane Austen. Believe me, I have tried to love her like every other female in the world, but i just can't. (except for pride and prejudice. loved that!)
ReplyDeletebut i keep one or two on my book shelf just to look like everyone else! :)
A suggestion for Tonya as she tries to get into the classics....Start off easy, maybe "Pride and Prejudice" especially if you've already seen the movie then you might have a good idea of what the story line is and you may be able to follow it more easily. Also, if you are trying to get into Austen but you don't really know how to spark your interest I would suggest learning a little about Austen first. A super fun and easy way to learn through reading is by reading the book "A Walk With Jane Austen" by Lori Smith. This is a fantastic book! It's her pesonal story about going to the places where Austen lived, wrote, and was influenced. You get history, her personal journey and some laughs all in one! I would recommend this book to anyone! Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteThanks Christina! I will have to do that :) believe or not I've never sat through a whole Jane Austen movie, although I do love the spinoff/remakes like Clueless!
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