After cutting and pasting our blog assignment in an email to a friend, I got her honest response. I asked her to be truthful and she did not disappoint. I guess I should not be hurt or surprised because my sons think I should host a talk radio show – I wouldn’t go that far…
I do have strong opinions on the two topics we are not supposed to mention in social situations or write about in an MAPW class. My friend’s fierce reply to my question about writing my agenda caused me to wonder – is that so terrible to have stand for something – anything? I know decorum and diplomacy are required in the “academe” but must we lose our “soul” in the process?
One thing I want to learn in the MAPW program is to write with breadth and depth to reach a larger audience – otherwise, what is the point? I don’t need to write only to people who see things my way. However, I am not clever enough to conceal my world view in poetry or fiction – not yet anyway. I tire of listening to people who rant and hold to one view with blind allegiance. Yet, I refuse to be a chameleon and change with the surroundings. This is, however, value in hearing and respecting another’s point of view while maintaining your own. 
One of my favorite writers was never really a writer. His wife translated his lectures he gave to his students after his death. Oswald Chambers in His Utmost for His Highest spoke in rich layers of truth that delivered fresh insight with each reading. If I could write like Chambers spoke to his students, I would feel like an accomplished writer.
Writing from my core is not writing with an agenda. Writing is hard enough, but writing apart from who I am is impossible. If I could just learn to write with quality layers integrating who I am with the needs of the reader – then I will feel like I am accomplishing something for good.
I went to the Booth Western Museum in Cartersville last week and looked at a painting of a horse. The woman artist had such a profound quote about painting, that I tried to memorize it and her name – my memory has failed me so I will paraphrase. The painter of this amazing piece of work said that She did not paint because she wanted to, she painted because she had to – it was her responsibility not her choice. That is how I feel about writing – I did not choose this life - it chose me. How can I separate from that belief and write with no “agenda.”
An interesting post, Lisa. We all gotta say what we all gotta say, that's what makes a work of art or writing distinctive. Perhaps your friend is suggesting that you temper your opinions in your work, that you follow the classic writing advice of "show, don't tell." That would be good advice for all of us.
ReplyDeleteIt is always a challenge when you encounter someone who deeply disagrees with what you deem the "truths" of your writing, and it seems that you are striving to find the balance between remaining honest with yourself and opening your writing to accomodate other reader's opinions. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteI also feel like I'm not being true to myself if I write characters who don't share the same views as I do. I also find that I lose interest in the main character if they are very different from myself. Even if the agendas are subtle in my writing, I still feel like I've done myself a disservice. I write because I love to write, and when I write, a piece of myself is placed into each work. Because of this, I, too, find it difficult to detach myself in order to reach a larger audience.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I think if you are writing as an extension of your personal ministry, then go where the words take you. But if you're looking to attract a more mainstream audience, you will be more widely accepted by taking the subtle approach.
ReplyDeleteI do have strong opinions on the two topics we are not supposed to mention in social situations or write about in an MAPW class--
ReplyDeleteWhat are these two topics?
Religion and Politics!
ReplyDeleteActually I hate the term "religion" as it does not describe what I really like to discuss but cant in MAPW classes or social situations. I got into that discussion with someone at your reading in Rome and regretted it!!
ReplyDelete