Be Here To Learn
By Jael McHenry | June 3, 2013 |
Image by Anne Davis
In her speech at Book Expo America (BEA) last week, Divergent superauthor Veronica Roth talked about her experiences as a reader and a writer. Like many of us who love writing as adults, she loved reading as a child, though she confessed to going through a phase of not reading at all. As she put it, “I lost my love of reading at the same moment I started to say, ‘I already know’ instead of ‘I’m here to learn.'”
As authors, she says, we need to be conscious of that tendency in ourselves, and fight against it. We all have something to learn, no matter where we are in our respective journeys as writers. Instead of thinking we know everything, we should focus on adopting an attitude of humility, and looking for opportunities to learn, from anyone and in any way.
(You can read the full transcript here.)
Her message resonated deeply enough with me that I wanted to bring it to all of you. Because I love the amazing interactivity of online writing communities, and I’m an active participant in as many of them as I have time for, but they can also have a dark side. If you’ve had a long journey as a writer and someone else is still early on in their journey, you might position yourself as an expert. And on some level, you are. It’s reasonable — more than reasonable — to give advice that can help someone else make his or her way forward. To help people figure out how to search for agents or write query letters. To share fruitful ways of giving or accepting critique. To explain which self-publishing strategies have been most productive for you and your books. The community of writers is one of the best things about writing, and if no one were generous enough to share things we’ve learned along the way, the writing world would be a poorer place for it.
But be careful of portraying your way as the only way. We all have different journeys, different paths, forward. Writing a perfect imitation of a Dan Brown novel won’t make you the next Dan Brown; following any single example of an author’s journey too closely doesn’t net you the same results that writer netted. This is why, for example, MFA programs are neither essential nor useless. Like anything else in writing, they can be a huge help to some, a terrible misstep for others, and completely irrelevant to many. People on the internet can be passionate and absolute in their viewpoints, but vehemence isn’t authority. There are as many ways to write as there are writers. There’s no single right answer for everyone.
And be careful, as Roth says, of thinking you have no more to learn. Humility is a powerful tool for us throughout our writing journeys. We can learn from anyone at any time, whether that person is a professional like an agent or editor, or any other published or unpublished writer, or even someone we have no personal contact with but only know by reading their work. “And the thing is,” she says, “when you adopt that attitude, ‘I’m here to learn,’ the world becomes a fascinating, beautiful place.”
Be here to learn. Watch things open up when you do.
Jael McHenry is the debut author of The Kitchen Daughter (Simon & Schuster/Gallery Books, April 12, 2011). Her work has appeared in publications such as the North American Review, Indiana Review, and the Graduate Review at American University, where she earned her MFA in Creative Writing. You can read more about Jael and her book at jaelmchenry.com or follow her on Twitter at @jaelmchenry.
You provided the perfect raison d’etre for WU, Jael, and why we value it so much.
Nice post, Jael, and very true. No one size fits all when it comes to writing, and we can always learn. Now off to read Ms. Roth’s speech.
I was once asked to do an instructional guest post, and the offer made me uneasy. The party that offered wanted me to ‘teach’ their readers an aspect of writing craft. I realized that I don’t ever try to teach anybody anything. I offer up my experiences, including what has or hasn’t worked for me. Period. Lord knows I am still learning.
I think you have to be judicious about listening to the ample so-called expert advice online. But you have to be careful, too. Over the years I’ve often found myself ‘filtering’ writing advice, even to the point of not tuning in when I think it’s not a fit for my process. But perhaps some of it is just along the lines of: “things I don’t want to hear.” For example, I just did my first ever G-M-C scene chart–on an excel spreadsheet, for crying out loud. I’ve been hearing about scene charts for years, but thought them to be SO not me. But you know what? It’s been hugely helpful to my current revision work. So listen, yes. Filter, okay. But stay open… and humble–amen!
We can either remember what Einstein said, “A true genius knows he/she knows nothing.” Or, like Jon Snow, we can all find our own personal Ygritte, to tell us, “You know nothing, Vaughn Roycroft.”
Thanks, Jael, for sharing and enhancing Roth’s wisdom!
I was glad to read this post today. I write a weekly blog on classic short stories, and I do it as my own little self-study of the master writers like Hawthorne or Dickens, Poe, Wharton, Mary Shelley, HG Wells, Henry James, etc. The blog is really about the value of reading fiction and the story and characters as written by that author. I get weary sometimes and think, why do I keep doing this? Is it worth it? Haven’t I read and blogged enough? I don’t have a teacher’s guidance or workshop group or even many comments from my blog readers for any discussion. I’m quite alone in my study and analysis of short stories. After reading your post, if “I’m here to learn” from the master writers, I guess I should keep at it. Thanks for the reminder.
Great post. I actually read Divergent. I loved the book. I agree wholeheartedly in always learning. I also like to experiment in a variety of writing styles. It keeps things fresh and creative.
Another lovely, useful article from Writer Unboxed. All writers need to follow this one.
Sometimes when I read “do & don’t” writing craft blogs, I want to cry. MORE DOS, MORE DONTS, I think I will lose my mind. Soon I realize its fear that causes my anxiety when I read about the “how tos” of our craft. Fear, like fear of not writing right, fear of not finishing, fear of not being perfect, fear of no one reading it, fear of the grammar police etc. I can use this professed “I am here to learn” philosophy. And I like what you said about us all doing it differently, so I can still “read & learn” but say “well that is nice to know, maybe I want to implement it, maybe not” instead of letting it paralyze me with fear or beat myself up for getting it wrong. Rules are made to be broken, it has been said. It has also been said “Follow the rules if you want to get ahead.” Which is it? Both. We hope.
Good post. But I would go one futher. I always feel that when I read/write it is not so much about learning as discovering all the possibilities that there is yet to learn. I am always amazed . . .
Great post. I’ve been teaching writing for about ten years now, but I try to approach it with a “this works for me, but it doesn’t necessarily work for everyone” stance. I feel that teaching not only helps me pass on what so many have taught me, but it also helps show me things I think I “know” in new ways as I try to simplify and explain things. It helps me suss out why things work the way they work, giving me a deeper understanding. And I’ll definitely read through Veronica Roth’s speech — sounds like a great one!
Jael-
For three+ decades I have watched writers’ careers unfold. One of the saddest patterns is this one: An author sells a first book, or even simply lands an agent, and all learning stops.
Status achieved, such authors feel they now know it all. While their newly relaxed demeanor can be refreshing, it can be accompanied by a over-confidence, a focus on ephemera, smugness and gorging on conference and anthology invitations.
Just because you’ve been admitted to a fraternity or sorority doesn’t mean that you’ve graduated from college. You can still flunk out.
Problem is, if you fail no one in publishing is going to tell you that. You will be able to deny it, possibly for decades. Ever met an author like that at a convention bar?
The antidote is staying open and constantly growing, both as a writer and as a human being. A New York Times Best Selling author I represent last year asked me, “What can I do to improve my writing?”
It gladdened my heart. That’s the right question. That author will be a best seller for years to come.
Thanks, Jael, for this priceless reminder. Recently I had a conversation with an MFA professor who told me very wistfully about a student of hers who had gone on to outshine her in terms of awards, recognition, etc. I thought to myself, “It doesn’t matter what side of the teaching fence you sit on officially, we we are all each others’ students and teachers.” I wish I’d said that to her. With this post in mind, I won’t hesitate to say it to others in the future.
This is so true. What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another. I share tips and give workshops, but they’re always prefaces with, “Take what works for you.” For example, I’ve shared part of my editing process on my blog today, but I don’t expect everyone to drop whatever they’re doing and use my method. And what works for one book might not work for another… we’re constantly growing and changing ourselves.
I agree wholeheartedly, Jael. This is one of the reasons I feel sad when I hear a writer say they refuse to read a book due to media coverage, or they read a page and ditched it. If a writer reads like this they are missing the point. There is something to be learned in EVERYTHING. Even when you burn yourself you learn not to grab the pot without a buffer!
Denise Willson
Author of A Keeper’s Truth
Thank you for sharing this. Humbling and beautiful.
[…] so much to Writer Unboxed for letting me know about […]
I’ve been thinking a lot about maintaining balance and perspective in my writing life, and this post adds another whole dimension to that. Thanks!
Lovely post, Jael, thank you. :)
I’m here to learn.
Such a great message, Jael.
The message of this post is precisely why Writer Unboxed is such a great blog. Thank you.
This is such a great encouragement. A really good reminder to me to refresh my love of reading and writing. It’s easy to get burned out by everything, regardless of its merit, and refocusing on why I read (and write) turns it into an opportunity again.
Humility and learn from everyone is solid advice for any profession.
Such wisdom. I echo the above comment. Humility never hurts anyone. Unfortunately, I’m not in a writer’s group right now and I’m rereading some of my favorite classic books on the craft of writing. You are so right — to continue to hone your craft, learning is essential.
Any author appearances, author readings, lectures, or workshops–in any genre–always offer up something fresh and new, because you arrive with different questions and characters and story issues in mind.
Everything is process. In all aspects of life all we can do is keep peeling back the layers of resistance and uncover what is real. Thanks, Jael. One wonderful post.
I think writing is a profession that we never cease to learn … this is probably why I’ll die with a pencil in my hand, trying to scratch out a few words.
Wonderful post, Jael. Being open to new ideas and experiences is what makes life interesting and enriching.
A wonderful post and one that needs said often. Years ago I clung to every writing “rule” until I recognized the countless contradictions and exceptions. Some confessed that they were teaching and others implied the fact with comments that suggested other paths would leave you an afterthought before you were discovered.
I want no part of someone else’s path. My path is my own and each step includes learning. When I stop learning I’ll cease moving forward and, if they’re smart, my readers will leave. With all the elements that make each human being (background, circumstances, experiences, personality, etc.) how can someone imply there’s only one path to publication?
Thanks for this, and for the link.
Such a wise and lovely post!
Excellent advice. Thank you for it.
I love this post, Jael. I’m sure people are sick of hearing about medicine, but of course that’s a world where people’s lives are at risk the minute their doctor becomes complacent. I hope to keep the habit and expectation of being a lifelong-learner. Plus, it’s just fun. I think I’d be bored if I weren’t growing somehow.
I don’t know how a writer could ever think they are beyond learning, it’s such a humbling craft, constantly bringing you down to earth by showing you, in your own writing, just how much you don’t know. So uplifting when occasionally you do get it right but usually such an uphill fight that your own limitations are always on display. Anyway, thanks for the reminder.