Sometimes, even a notorious con artist, even a fifth-rate ideologue, liar and malicious, can produce very interesting pages when describing his personal experiences. Unless he falsifies them too, he will be able to experience in writing exactly what the great writer experiences. And he will be convincing. There is something special about this: writing offers everyone, without distinction, identical possibilities—and to make the most of them, one need only take the act of writing seriously.
Tag: writing
It Has Been Said That a Writer Is…
It has been said that a writer is someone for whom life is not enough. And, undoubtedly, being satisfied with experience is a variable element of individual psychology. Most of the time, the life we lead is mediocre, devoid of events that are if not remarkable, at least out of the ordinary. Some cannot accept this, either because of pride or an innate desire to know more and experience more. Here, literature emerges not as consolation, but as a necessity, filling the countless gaps in experience. Without it, life seems unbearably uninteresting. Again, this is a matter of individual psychology, and those who do not have a similar disposition will never understand it.
Writing Reaches a New Level After…
Writing reaches a new level after becoming like a lost cause. As with these, the effort becomes ennobled and the pretenders give up in the face of the unfortunate prospect. The work, however, gains undeniable authenticity, which appears to be a more valuable prize than one might initially expect. Expectations often shorten the life of dedication; when, however, nothing is expected, the effort itself becomes a source of satisfaction.
For the Writer Who Secretly Dreams…
For the writer who secretly dreams of literary glory, it must be very difficult to endure the miserable status afforded by literature, unless there are other circumstances that confer some social prestige. Certainly, it is more likely that he will have to experience something very different from “glory.” Perhaps it takes some talent to deal with being mediocre in the eyes of everyone, while realizing that mediocre is, in fact, everyone else. This is the case with Lima Barreto, who seems to have lacked such talent, although he did not lack a keen perception of the phenomenon. The truth is that there is no humiliation or injustice in this contempt, and it is good for the writer to learn to handle, and even enjoy, the embarrassment, to avoid being deceived by the opinions of a false judge.