R.C. Davis - Tellin' Stories

  • R.C. Davis-Tellin' Stories
  • Comments
  • Blog
  • Stories
  • Poetry

Writers Narcissistic? NAWWW! 

4/27/2015

 
Time and time again the phrase: “Oh, writers are so narcissistic!” falls upon my ears and each time I fail to react. I feel this is mostly due to not knowing a great deal about it. I mean, it could be, yet, maybe I am blind to my own? It’s my understanding that Narcissism is: “The pursuit of gratification from vanity or egotistic admiration of one's own attributes.” Okay, so yes. I write a super sentence that comes out of nowhere, and I am consumed by this great exuberance, that drives me to want to share. I want everybody to know what just popped into my head and how well it fit into that paragraph. But… you can’t do that without consequence.
         
Allen Ginsberg wrote, “Kill your darlings.” and he didn’t mean your family. He meant those great lines that after a while don’t seem to fit anymore, and you are so unwilling to send to their death. “But, but… that was like the greatest line ever to be squeezed out of a brain cell and to find its way to my page. What? Do away with a line that brought me so much joy? Never!” Hmmm… maybe that’s the narcissism everyone is talking about.
         
Years back in a workshop, I mentioned to my facilitator that I now had a website and that it was starting to shape up pretty nicely. I turned to a classmate and suggested he go there and take a look and then tell me what he thought. He laughingly said, “Been there! It’s all about RC isn’t it?” I didn’t know what to say, I felt he was attacking me for doing something that had been suggested by so many publishers and agents. Part of your platform they said, build it and they will come… However, it had become the RC Davis show, and now jealousy was going to rear its ugly head.
           
I of course, gave it a great deal of thought. I could see where narcissism could be an advantage. It’s inspirational to be narcissistic; it will help move you along. Give that necessary jolt to keep you going. If one can develop a fair amount of humility to counteract it, then, as soon as you are done for the day, shut it down. Use it when you need it, and leave it in your study at the end of your writing hours. Use it as a tool, then hang it on the pegboard at the back of your workbench upon days end, then, just walk away.
           
My goal with writing has always been to entertain. Give my readers a great story to get lost in for a little while, and take them out of their worry. One of the reasons I write Genre and not Literary. I want them to find that place that I always went to when I was a kid. That secret place, inside a book. A fantastical world that closely resembles the places we dream about in our sleep. I don’t consider trying to accomplish that as being beyond my reach, and if it takes me the rest of my life to do it, then so be it. If I have to sacrifice, and become a wee bit narcissistic in order to give you the best, then, well… so be that!

Picture

A writers lament

4/12/2015

 
I decided not to attend the Mission Creek Festival this year and actually avoided the Book Fair. I didn't want to waste time browsing publishers or listening to poetry when I could be working (writing). It is such a political thing. Show your face around so people can see you are still alive and ask all of the same old questions. Ann Morrow Lindberg, famous writer, author and aviator of the early 1900's, wrote:  “The most exhausting thing in life, I have discovered, is being insincere. That is why so much of social life is exhausting; one is wearing a mask. I have shed my mask.”   This is where I am at, putting my face out there is exhausting, I'd rather be creating a story.
     I attended  a friends chapbook signing not too long ago, it was a pleasant time. I enjoyed being with other writers, especially one as iconic as Dave Morice. Of course there were other people there who knew me from back in the days when I did a great deal of reading locally. There was a certain excitement that came with getting up in front of people and telling a story or reading a few poems. However, I over did it and it burned me out. Now I rarely read to an audience. I feel I got what I wanted out of it, and now, unless I am asked, I don't.
    I spent a great deal of time pondering the benefits of public reading and think a lot about that line from the film, 'Finding Forrester':

"You know why people read in public, don't you? Well, its because they just want to get laid!"

    This from the crusty old, writer/author, Forrester (played by Sean Connery) to the young writer fledgling, Jamal. Leaving the young man astonished and confused. Poor lad, I felt his disbelief, but the statement sure did strike a cord with me. Every time after, when I stepped up on that stage, I found myself scanning the audience, concerned and hoping no one misconstrued my intentions. I just wanted to share my art and was truly, not seeking any kind of carnal benefit. I imagine that until the time comes around, that I am published again and the need to mount the podium arises, I will remain here in my study, chasing the solace that comes with writing.
                                                  Slainte!

Picture

    Blog Archives

    January 2021
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    December 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    April 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013



    Here you will find comments and extensive blogs:

    Picture

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.