Reflections of a working writer and reader
The first and last important rule for the creative writer, then, is that though there may be rules (formulas) for ordinary, easily publishable fiction - imitation fiction - there are no rules for real fiction, any more than there are rules for serious visual art or musical composition. John Gardner
‘If the Nobel prize came from Scotland they would give it to a writer of fucking detective fiction or else some kind of child writer,’ author James Kelman told his audience at the Edinburgh book festival.
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Interesting. I’m just putting the finishing touches to a post about writing in writing in dialects – Scottish dialects specifically – but I couldn’t find a quote from Kelman that fitted and so he just gets a nod and passed over. I can see his point up to a point. We have some damn good writers but world class? Mibbe no.
His point was that we have good writers but the prevailing culture promotes those with commercial success rather than those with talent or innovation. I don’t know if I totally agree- there’s Don Paterson winning the Forward Prize, for instance. I do feel, though it’s maybe just green cheese, that it’s hard, if you’re not well connected, to break through to get recognition, or work.
jb says: I think I did understand his point, Hugh. And it is a great pity that most of the prestigious prizes seem to follow the money.
I found this old post today while doing a search using “literary blog scots.” I am afraid that the 2009 date means that I am talking to myself. I like the Pritchett quote and your voice. I am now going to read more–of you, I hope.
You never talk to yourself here, Susan. Thanks for the comment.
You’re never talking to yourself here, Susan.