janecarnall's Journal

The challenge and the craft
In response to On the responsibilities of writers:

To write using offensive language/stereotypes is just easy. It's what we're all taught. But figuring out how to avoid them while at the same time being true to the story, that's a "party programme".

The hell.

If you aren't capable of learning how to write without using offensive language or racist, sexist, homophobic or any other stereotypes, you are an inferior writer. The challenge for any writer who aspires to full command of her craft and art is to write the story that clamours to be written, to be true to the story and its characters, and to avoid letting yourself fall into the lazy traps of casual prejudice. And writers who defend their fall into those lazy traps with Newspeak arguments that trying to avoid them is a "party programme" are not merely lazy, inferior writers who can't be bothered to learn: they're dishonest writers.

There's no recourse for the writer who is dishonest about their craft. You never quit learning how to write better. You never lie to yourself as an excuse for why you're not going to bother learning more about how to write.

Current Mood: angry