So now the truth comes out, it's the old argument of it's not art if it's not a work of literary fiction, or a work of pure, virgin inspiration. That's it isn't it? Idiot. Weren't you the one talking about how inspiring it was watching and listening to that Willy DeVille DVD, Live In The Lowlands. Aren't you the same guy who's written reviews praising people for making you want to pick up pen and paper and producing work?
I can keep this argument going indefinitely in my head, always finding a way to diminish the validity of critical analysis as a form of expression. When I'm in that sort of mood there's just no arguing with me. I just have to hope I'll come to my senses in a while, and listen to reason. You know what these folk with artistic pretensions can be like though; sometimes they can't see the damned woods for the trees.
For some reason I was just reminded of the Monty Python's move The Holy Grail. There's a character, a Prince, whose father is trying to marry him off, and he keeps saying, "But Father, I only want to sing." Practical, real world considerations have no place in his life, he's an artiste who shouldn't have to sully himself with life's dirty little messes.
You can make yourself quite the object of ridicule easily enough as it is without acting the pea brain in public or even in private. I can guarantee that during my 'But Father, I only want to sing' moments that I've completely forgotten what the purpose of writing is, and why I wanted to start writing in the first place.
Writing is simply a means of communication; ideas, emotions and anything else that we humans desire to express are fodder for the writer. Communication can be achieved through telling a story, composing a poem, writing an essay or research paper around an idea, or telling people your thoughts on a specific subject matter in an editorial piece.
Article comments
1 - micki
I don't much like reviews or critiques.
My humble opinion is that it is boring, boring, boring to read what a paid-someone thinks of said work of art. Communication yes, but creativity? Get real!
Methinks the real payoff for the writing of essays and reviews is the use of an author's creativity and ideas. Who said that "The use of one's ideas/work is plagiarism, the use of more than one is called research"?
Yet, I guess someone has to write those things so we, the stupid consumers, will know what is good or bad. Some of us, however, do not judge a book by its cover....we actually peek inside the book for a preview/taste of the real thing!
If you spend too much time answering the call of that almighty dollar, will you ever have time for your own great works and ideas?
Food for thought: There are authors, there are teachers, there are critics. Perhaps you are only a critic.
Micki
2 - Snarkattack
I don't entirely agree with micki's comments in regards to reviewing being considered less creative.
What about the actual choice involved in review material? Is the act of choosing not creative to a degree? I personally think so.
As for answering the call of the mighty dollar, well, ironically, we sometimes need to in order to be able to do those fully creative things you mention like buy that insanely expensive early music instrument that no one else makes in your country and so forth, so you can play in concerts and do recordings of works that wouldn't see the light of day, for example.
A writer should, in my opinion, seek to write in as many forms as they can manage. Is this not a measure of one's skill as a writer, generally speaking, such versatility?
And should one not be able to review and critique work or output from their creative fields? If anything, I think this could stimulate their own creativity - new thoughts, new ways of looking at old things.
Just some musings from a hack and most likely very bad poet. I like reviews, and I like critiques, but only ones that really engage the reader, and make you want to find out more about said reviewed/critiqued work, or even revisit it. That's where their power lies.
3 - -E
Congrats, this article was picked for one of this week's Ed Picks. Keep up the good work.
4 - Aaron Fleming
Excellent piece! It's an area of regular pondering, just how to write a review interestingly and creatively, avoiding those pitfalls of banality. It's a battle everytime. I would say don't feel confined to particular structures and proceedures, if you want try something a little mad then go for it.