Some are of the opinion that any creative process, requires a certain skill for the result to be truly unique. Others deny that skill, and hold with the thought that having it ruins one's style. So what is this certain skill we speak of? Detachment. Whether or not it is a skill is a matter of perspective.
Detachment is to remain devoid of assumptions and ownership when looking at something. In our case lets consider that it means to keep your emotions away from the piece we write. Why do we say it helps? In some genres, it is well required to be unbiased and look at the content from various perspectives, like writing for the mass. Being detached helps you see beyond your own appreciation to find flaws. Maybe if 1 out of 5 articles has something different to offer, it fetches you more readers and gives you the versatile title. It might even make you a pro. But here's the catch.
What if, your unique style is the main reason you're a good writer? What if people come to read your style and not what comes out of being detached? Then that would be a problem yes, because your signature style isn't something to be cultivated, its what defines you. Throwing it away for a few more readers is a decision we have to make before we get into the skill. Because when we start practising it too much, all you can see is the objectiveness. Like how an efficient editor can't involve himself in a movie because he's too busy counting the cuts and unveiling the effects, we lose the essence of natural emotions and can only put in what we used to feel.
So we've come back to square one, how to use the skill without loosing ourselves to it and is it necessary in the first place when you know you have a small target group? Detachment, a trait of a good writer or no?
Detachment is to remain devoid of assumptions and ownership when looking at something. In our case lets consider that it means to keep your emotions away from the piece we write. Why do we say it helps? In some genres, it is well required to be unbiased and look at the content from various perspectives, like writing for the mass. Being detached helps you see beyond your own appreciation to find flaws. Maybe if 1 out of 5 articles has something different to offer, it fetches you more readers and gives you the versatile title. It might even make you a pro. But here's the catch.
What if, your unique style is the main reason you're a good writer? What if people come to read your style and not what comes out of being detached? Then that would be a problem yes, because your signature style isn't something to be cultivated, its what defines you. Throwing it away for a few more readers is a decision we have to make before we get into the skill. Because when we start practising it too much, all you can see is the objectiveness. Like how an efficient editor can't involve himself in a movie because he's too busy counting the cuts and unveiling the effects, we lose the essence of natural emotions and can only put in what we used to feel.
So we've come back to square one, how to use the skill without loosing ourselves to it and is it necessary in the first place when you know you have a small target group? Detachment, a trait of a good writer or no?
It is a good trait, no doubt. I personally, try to imagine or create different view points for the same incident. A writer should never write for his readers. The moment you start thinking about your readers, you get lose in the world of expectations and your creative gets stopped for the same reason.
ReplyDeletethank you for reading :) and i do appreciate your views. But is it possible to detach at will?? or does it become a bad habit?
ReplyDeleteWell, writers are a lonely lot :))
DeleteAye, thank i toast to! :) Cheers!
DeleteIt depends on what you are writing, I think. If you are writing a newspaper article you need to be detached, but if you are writing a novel it needs to be far from the opposite.
ReplyDeleteI love this post =D It is just the food for thought I need before my literary theory exam tomorrow.
hahha thanks ruch! sorry for the late reply! :(
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