The Audacity of Authors
Returning guest blogger Sunny Frazier, whose first novel in the Christy Bristol Astrology Mysteries, Fools Rush In, received the Best Novel Award from Public Safety Writers Association, explains why ego is part of an author’s make-up.
While attending a recent writers conference I overheard a woman say “That author’s ego is really out of control.” The catty remark was aimed at an author who did seem pretty full of himself. But it got me to wondering: Is there room for humbleness when it comes to writing?
The dictionary definition of “humble” is “Not proud or haughty, not arrogant or assertive; offered in the spirit of deference or submission; ranking low in a hierarchy or scale; insignificant; lacking all the signs of pride.” Does this sound like the traits of a successful writer?
The simple act of putting pen to paper or fingertips to keyboard announces to the world, “I have something to say. My thoughts are unique. My words are important!” That mindset is what drives writers, convinces them every day to sit in a chair and hope for the flow of ideas that will translate to the right words on the page. This is what deprives them of family time, TV time, sleep, and their favorite past time, reading. This is what makes them snap at people, growl at interruptions, overeat and add fat to their butt.
So, from where does this arrogance spring? I can only speak for myself: I’m inspired by the scribes before me. Shakespeare, Chaucer, Homer (not Simpson—Doh!). Their words lasted centuries—will mine do the same? In the lightening pace of today’s plugged-in world, is it possible for my words to last longer than the next tweet?
Writers have to be overly proud of what we’re doing—and yes, I’m in the non-humble crowd. We are out there trying for truth and recognizing it in our fellow authors. Ego and belief in ourselves is what shores up our confidence when family members look skeptical at our efforts. Friends encourage us with pats on the back as if we’ve just escaped from a mental institution. Authors are other people, not people they know.
We struggle alone and wait for the spark, that “Aha!” moment when our consciousness takes a giant leap onto the page. That’s the moment when the pleasure of writing is transformed to the power of writing. There’s no turning back.
The next hurdle is ignoring the censor in your head that says “Can I write what I really feel and get away with it?” Don’t look for the green light from family and friends. They’re already worried you’re going to spill the dirty laundry. You can’t wait for Granny and her church friends to die.
On my list of the most daring, soul-baring authors I’ve come across are Philip Roth, who never let me look at liver the same way again. James Joyce, whose run-on sentences go on for pages. Joan Didion slouching toward Bethlehem. Erica Jong diminished my Fear of Flying. I never understood a word of Henry Miller’s Cancers but am incensed that he was censored. Anais Nin who opened up her sexuality for public viewing. And my favorite author, Chuck Palahniuk, always makes me want to write brave, to bare my soul, not bar it.
I tell beginning writers that they must always stand by their words because critics are out there ready to tear them apart. Break new ground, break down barriers. Take old ideas and turn them around like a prism until they see light from another angle. Find their voice and use words that excite. What I don’t tell them is in the process they’re going to cut their emotional wrists and bleed all over the page. It’s messy and some aren’t going to survive.
I used the word audacity in the title of this piece. Definition: Bold. Disregard for normal restraints. Intrepidly daring. Marked by originality and verve. Exaggerating one’s own worth or importance. And yes, arrogant. Writers should be all that. We cannot afford to be humble.
July 27, 2010
Posted in: Guest Blogs
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18 Responses
Great post, Sunny. When rejection gets you down, these are inspiring words to reread and take to heart.
Carol
Awesome and inspiring post. It’s so easy to let others opinions of what we do interfere with our work. You are so right on the money when you say we can’t let that happen. We put our words and thoughts on paper – or screen – and then send them out in the world to be judged. One has to be audacious to do that or one would fall to pieces. So I’m with you, Sunny, writers cannot be humble if they wish to survive.
The definition of arrogant (from Websters) is “full of or due to UNwarranted pride and self-importance; overbearing: haughty.” I agree that writers have to have a full measure of self-confidence in the face of criticism, the trials and tribulations of the writing business, etc., but I’ll eschew the arrogance label. In my humble opinion, the last thing a person who deals with fans and the public is to appear “arrogant”!
I do think authors can turn off readers by their behavior.
There are some authors I’ve met or seen how they behave, that have made me not interested in buying their books. On DorothyL I’ve heard readers say the same.
However, what someone writes is a different matter–they should write what they are compelled to write. Some readers will love it, others will not. We all have different tastes.
Marilyn
Have to agree. If we don’t believe in our words how can we expect anyone else to take them seriously?
I love to be a show off. Writing has thrown me into that whirlpool of talented people who light up the world with their thoughts. A cool place to be. I loved your thoughts Sunny.
Well said, Sunny. Several years ago a friend who was Director of Design for a huge hotel chain said people never realize what goes into a creative work, because when it is finished it looks like it was easy. That applies to anyone in myriad creative fields.
An author has to know when to stand by their decisions and their work and if that’s audacity, well, long live audacity. However, we also need to know when to listen to sage advice or comments and then exercise our option to decide whether to act or not. Attitude means a lot, particularly when you are wooing readers.
The same thing can always be said in various ways. Some will come off as arrogant and others as a “real person.” I always try to say what I want to say in a “real person” way, but I don’t hesitate to say it.
I’m proud of what I do and what I’ve accomplished and feel I’ve earned that right. So yes, I agree with you. When writers have pride in their work, it wasn’t easy to get there and it’s okay to wear that pride.
MORGAN ST. JAMES
http://www.morganstjames-author.com
Las Vegas Writing Examiner – http://bit.ly/MorgansColumn
I think you to have some amount of ego just to introduce yourself as a writer to other people. When are you legitimate– is it after you’ve written a bestseller, a series, a novel, a short story, a poem, a word? Is it when you’re published by a big house, an Indie press, an e-publisher, or self-publishing house? Is it when you quit your day job and write full time?
I answer yes, it could be any of those things, but it’s mainly when you have the guts to tell the world you are a writer. Some writers may be egotistical, or arrogant or conceited, just as some doctors, lawyers, Indian chiefs, etc., may be. But some amount of self-worth and confidence in your work is necessary to be a writer, and if that’s ego or arrogance or conceit, I am all of those things as well.
Very interesting piece. It’s a knife edge kind of thing, I think. It does take a certain amount of hubris to present your work as something worthy of being published and read. However, I think humility is in order as well; I am most grateful that readers choose to read my stories.
Lovely analysis, Sunny. And a wise perspective. We seem full of self-confidence, but we can be fragile. Look at how we remember the one bad review among the many good. It takes some guts to set yourself up for a world of criticism and then turn the other cheek. But sometimes thanking a tepid reviewer (not a raging one) for a review can be rather fun.
Very thought provoking article, Sunny.
Maybe it’s a matter of semantics. What some people call audacity, I might call self-confidence. Always be reader-friendly, and don’t set yourself above the reader. After all, I was once the reader who didn’t write. Besides, for every good book I write, there will be someone who can tell a better story than I can. THAT’s what keeps me humble, even when I’m feeling self-confident. (I hope that made sense.)
Thanks, Sunny, for your strong, bold words and for your thoughts on an intriguing subject. As one in the humble category, I do find when I write that the censoring voice–will this upset family/friends?–vanishes. In those moments, a confidence, a surety, occurs.
Excellent post Sunny! Yes, we do have to be forthright and sometimes opinionated in order to get through all the rejections and criticisms but we don’t have to be rude to do it. Another word for Audacity comes to mind…Vivacious…it means lively and high-spirited…that’s what a writer is, no matter what they write…we must be Vivacious…it is definately contagious..,have a great day!
Brenda
It’s funny…I agree with every word of this post, and believe that every writer I know is entitled to their full dose of confidence and pride…except yours truly. Is there implicit confidence as Sunny suggests just in committing my words to the page? Maybe. Still, I can’t imagine ever strutting toward a mic, or offering up a page with anything but a shaking hand.
Thank you all for commenting. I felt it was a “bold” post, but then I’m not one for bland ideas and all for poking myself and others for reaction. The idea of a blog is to stir up ideas and get people commenting. This one is already being picked up and making the rounds. So, mission accomplished!
Have no idea what kind of thoughts will enter my head next and result in a blog. Don’t change the channel, folks!
Loved the post Sunny lots of food for thought. In my “humble” opinion, I think the truly arrogant author whose “ego is out of control” was already that way before they became a writer. It is easy to confuse the personality with the product. Isn’t it the product that matters? The work. At the end of the day, isn’t it all about the wonderful, frustrating, maddening, soul uplifting work? My muse commands that I write. I hope it is good and my product will do me proud long after I am gone. In the meantime, while I am here, it takes guts to put your soul out there and isn’t that what every creative person does whether they write, sculpt or perform. As for feeling proud of your accomplishment, as Sister Mary Perpetual Punishment used to say “If you don’t blow your own horn no one else will, it’s
unsanitary.”
Sunny, this was a terrific topic and one I think many authors would have been hesitant to voice. As a reader, I appreciate the insight. Thank you for being here!
Excellent advice. I think that the difference between ego and egomania is what makes the writer. If we are to survive, as writers, in a world that can be so indifferent to our blood, sweat and tears, prominently displayed on the page, we’ve got to have sustenance. Ego, pride and audacity are what feeds us when the publishing pickings are not to be found.
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