Russian authors Dostoevsky and Solshenitsyn both experienced the horrors of political exile and punishment. Hemingway experienced WWI. Dylan Thomas drank himself to death and Faulkner was an alcoholic as well. Dickinson never married and lived as a recluse. Can one be a great writer without experiencing great suffering? Could the Great American novel be written by someone with a Leave to Beaver childhood? Could Eugene O'neill have written his plays if his childhood had been a happy one? I know I am begging the question, but it is late at night.
2007-01-14 18:46:04 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I forgot to capitalize the N in O'Neil.
2007-01-14 18:51:36 · update #1
messed up again. O'Neill. I always forget there are two l's.
2007-01-14 18:52:52 · update #2
I think great writing comes from acute observations. And to be honest..... most people that have the sensitivity to observe most things that the common man overlooks, are people who have experienced hardships themselves. Not always however. There are those that have been raised to be aware of all people, to be aware of all things, to notice the smallest change and to appreciate where it came from.
I do believe one could have experienced a very happy life.... with a passionate sensitivity that could still enable them to write in a way that would allow others to see their vision.
2007-01-15 08:53:54 · answer #1 · answered by Marianne not Ginger™ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think great writing comes from something that happens to you that opens your eyes to what the world is really all about...if that is what you're writing about. Then again, it could also be something someone is just born with, like artistic talent, for instance. Some have it, some don't. The first statement is what I believe has turned me into a writer, but it is not my profession and most people think I am just rambling. If you want to write, good luck in your endeavors. Peace.
2007-01-14 18:54:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the ability of observation. being able to put into words what u see hear& feel& smell. plus live-ing through the exper. helps as well. U can become a great writer from a wheel chair in ur live-ing roomif u can use ur imagination . then there is the marketing side of the problem.
2007-01-14 18:57:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christopher Paolini, the 19 year old who wrote Eragon, had a normal childhood. He has now written a trilogy and all three will become movies. I guess you need to have a great imagination and a great observer of human nature.
2007-01-14 18:55:54 · answer #4 · answered by phoenixheat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a good argument.
I do believe that we should write what we know, but on the same token, if you are able to empathize and write well, you wouldn't need to suffer to be a good writer.
2007-01-14 23:17:51 · answer #5 · answered by AB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it does I want to become a sh*tty writer, because people tell me I'm a good writer.
I've had enough suffering in 41 yrs, so my quality of writing can go to hell in exchange for contentment.
2007-01-14 18:55:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you're writing about great suffering. I think great writing comes from writing what you know.
2007-01-14 19:36:08 · answer #7 · answered by Last Ent Wife (RCIA) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋