Can guidelines for young artists apply to young (and not so young) writers as well? The previous post features a short video about artist John Baldessari, narrated by Tom Waits. It end with three things Baldessari thinks young artists should know. Let’s look at how the first of these applies to writers:
"Talent is cheap"
Yep. If you’re creative and have lots of ideas, congratulations, you’ve taken the first step. But it’s only the first step.
I’ve known lots of writers with talent but no discipline.
They talk entertainingly about what they are going to write someday.
When they hear about a new book or film sometimes they tell you, truthfully, that they had that idea, too.
Most likely they have part of a novel or screenplay in a drawer. If they show it to you, you will be impressed by their talent.
Often they affect the current version of a bohemian style. Black predominates in their wardrobe.
The only thing missing is action. Writing the book or the screenplay. Or at least finishing it—there’s always a bit of work left to do on it before they send it out.
It can be a pleasant lifestyle—some of the perks of being a writer but none of the stress and risk, plus you don't have to wash black clothes so often. No impact, though, and not much creative satisfaction.
People sometimes ask me what the definition is of a writer—that is, do you have to be published to call yourself a writer? I don’t think so. A writer is somebody who writes….and finishes what they write. And then starts on the next thing.
(Why not listen to the writing advice of writers who had both talent and discipline--people like Dickens, Twain and Austen? You'll find it in my newest book, Your Creative Writing Masterclass, published by Nicholas Brealey and available now from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller.)
