I have a theory that great writing--GREAT writing--can only come from someone who has experienced some severe emotional trauma and has yet to completely recover.
I don't know that I totally agree. First off, GREAT writing is subjective, as is SEVERE emotional trauma. I know what you mean tho and what I think it comes down to is, GREAT writers have to be DEEP feelers. And they have to be able to articulate those feelings. A great writer is someone that has people saying, "MAN that is exactly what I felt--I know what he's saying!" A lot of people have experienced trauma-most just can't communicate what they feel, or deny that they feel it. We admire those who can write it down and help us understand it through our own trauma filter. I would go so far as to say GREAT readers have survived their own emotional trauma...most real READERS are deep feelers.
i dont think its so much trauma but something that effects your personal outlook on life and the way you go on living. its the good experiences that influence the decissions you make during the bad, and that is what molds you as a person. the type of person you are is portrayed through your writing and, yes, majority of the time it does reflect off of some tramatic experience from the past.
I think it can go both ways. I think a certain level of trauma has to happen to a person to write a on a certain topic (heart broken...divorce...death of a loved one...). But, I think people who haven't experienced trauma can write well, but just on other topics. It's kind of like saying, God can only use people who have experienced pain and trauma. I agree that he can, but it's not the only type of person that can be used. I think the same goes for writers. Good question...
I believe I would agree, generally the interesting narratives to read are the ones that make a person feel pity or sadness for the character. (go English 8!)
5 comments:
I don't know that I totally agree. First off, GREAT writing is subjective, as is SEVERE emotional trauma. I know what you mean tho and what I think it comes down to is, GREAT writers have to be DEEP feelers. And they have to be able to articulate those feelings.
A great writer is someone that has people saying, "MAN that is exactly what I felt--I know what he's saying!"
A lot of people have experienced trauma-most just can't communicate what they feel, or deny that they feel it. We admire those who can write it down and help us understand it through our own trauma filter.
I would go so far as to say GREAT readers have survived their own emotional trauma...most real READERS are deep feelers.
uhh....agree?
i dont think its so much trauma but something that effects your personal outlook on life and the way you go on living. its the good experiences that influence the decissions you make during the bad, and that is what molds you as a person. the type of person you are is portrayed through your writing and, yes, majority of the time it does reflect off of some tramatic experience from the past.
I think it can go both ways.
I think a certain level of trauma has to happen to a person to write a on a certain topic (heart broken...divorce...death of a loved one...). But, I think people who haven't experienced trauma can write well, but just on other topics.
It's kind of like saying, God can only use people who have experienced pain and trauma. I agree that he can, but it's not the only type of person that can be used.
I think the same goes for writers.
Good question...
I believe I would agree, generally the interesting narratives to read are the ones that make a person feel pity or sadness for the character.
(go English 8!)
agree.
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