Writing on writing

This is a pretty ironic thing of me to say, and something that I have more or less always understood about myself, but I hate reading about writing. There's just something about reading someone tell you how to write, or how they write - even though I know they're just expressing a personal opinion - that really puts me off. I know that looking at how other people write and think about their writing is important and useful, and that it's one of the best ways to learn, but good lord it just irritates me. And that's absolutely nothing against the people who do so - maybe in the past it would have been, but I've done it myself far too often to be able to say anything about it now.

When I was deciding whether or not to write this blog, I really didn't want to do these kinds of posts. I didn't want to write about writing: I don't know nearly enough to say anything with certainty, nor would I want to read it if I were a reader. And I never expect anyone to want to read these. I would never blame anyone for coming to my blog, seeing a Real talk post, and leaving to wait for the next day and another chance at fiction. Hell, even if my fiction isn't that good, I have to imagine that it's better and more interesting than this ranting dribble.

But I decided that it was something I wanted to do. More so for myself than anything else, as the whole writing process should be as a whole. But I consciously decided that I want to write about writing so that I would have a way to think it all out, to put my thoughts into words and see if they really make sense to me as I put it all down. And there have been times where, as I am writing, I have realized that I didn't really think the way that I thought I did. Which is an extremely bizarre experience, and one that I strongly recommend you experience sometime in your life if you never have.

I once wrote about how I don't like writers and I don't think of myself as one. In retrospect, that is only sort of true. I don't like writers in the same way that I don't like guitarists. I love writing and reading, and I love guitars and the music they can produce. But I don't like the people who feel that writing and music can only be done in a very specific way, and if you don't know this story or this song and you don't love it unconditionally without criticizing its perfection in absolution, than you are a faker and should give up whatever fake crap you think you are doing with your life.

I've tried to make that distinction in my head, and realize that not every writer or guitarist thinks that way. The problem is that there is a very loud minority that thinks that way, as there is with most groups. And there is also this feeling that we have as human beings to say that what I think is the truth, and I will present it as such because I have seen one other person who agrees, and therefor everyone must. And me saying that is exactly the problem that I'm talking about, but...

It's hard to avoid. I think most everyone has had that at some point in their life. I'd find it hard to believe that anyone hasn't. They probably just haven't realized it yet.

At least I can admit to mine. I'll work on it.