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adaptation
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adaptation |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738
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I just watched the movie "Adaptation" starring Nicholas Cage and Meryl Streep. Actually, I only caught bits and pieces of it, but there is a scene where the screenwriter character played by Mr. Cage realizes with horror that he's "written himself into his screenplay." He rants on calling himself names, including "pathetic" and "self-indulgent." Then I was reminded of a thread wherein Local Parasite (whose opinion I respect much) said this while recommending the poetry of b squirrel (no arguement there either, I also love Mike's work) but it was this part that made me wonder: "he's the best dark poet I've read on this site, and almost never contaminates his work with personal issues" First I'm curious as to how anyone can be sure of what inspires an author--and I'm baffled as to how one can even FIND inspiration outside of personal experience. We can only make a soup with the ingredients we have, yes? I've spoke with other fine authors from this site who also feel that cathartic writing is self-indulgent. And I'm getting around to my question. (It may take four years, but I'll get there  )Is there something wrong with writing from a personal standpoint? And if there is, is there any possible way to avoid that? And further, would I really be a better writer if I did? How can I write "tone" without basing my work on some underlying personal emotion/experience? I don't understand how I could expect my audience to connect with me as "the storyteller" while maintaining the distance that would require. I have also read many fine pieces of work, that while the author dazzled me with the brilliance of the mechanics, I was left feeling "thirsty" because the emotion was absent. In short, I have read many works which had the mechanics of writing down near- to-perfect but lacked the heart that I find satisfying as a reader. I always thought one of my goals as a writer should be to make the connection of a seemingly unique situation universal--I write with the hope that someone will read and nod agreement, saying, "exactly." And I don't know how to write without using that method--I write inspired by "emotional triggers" and now I'm questioning whether or not I should. Any thoughts or suggestions? |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Good Grief Gertrude. You expect a sensical answer after I've been filled with food? Let me go fix a good toddy, ponder your question, and come back to this... Oh by the way. Merry Christmas! |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
"Gertrude?" and yes, that reminds me of a story... chuckle See what I mean? Merry Christmas, Sunshine.  |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
quote:Source: Webster's Third New International Dictionary, unabridged, 1976. I would have to say that a good chunk of cathartic writing basically boils down to 'getting this off my chest', though there are others that belong to the 'piss 'n moan' club. If a strict view is taken, then cathartic poetry is purely about self and exhibitionism, with the reader being the willing voyeur. This does not include those who write from an autobiographical slant, unless, again, they are purging an emotional load. Personally, I try to abstain from writing cathartic pieces, but there's little to be done to prevent the reader from seeing catharsis within the work...short of disclaimers. However, if a reader is moderately well versed in a poet's style, then they might well know if poems in a certain genre or voice are indeed cathartic or not, as writing in the first person is not indicative of catharsis being perpetrated. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Not to quibble (but I will, chuckle) "a good chunk of cathartic writing basically boils down to 'getting this off my chest', though there are others that belong to the 'piss 'n moan' club" wouldn't this be one of those fine line distinctions that fall under the heading of subjective? Hmmm...I find myself trying to re-phrase my question in my mind, because methinks if I find the answer unsatisfying then I worded my question(s) badly. and speaking of disclaimers? none of this has anything to do with anyone's work other than me trying to define what my goals are as a writer. (sigh..even that sounds lofty, huh?) I think I'm confused again. As I understand catharsis as applied to my own work, I do believe I agree. If not, I wouldn't have been burning all those marble notebook pages the past few days that were filled with a nauseating blue Christmas diatribe. But is such writing always a negative? I realize I prolly sound defensive too, but I've been thinking too much again. Is it a bad thing to say, "this is how I feel about this"--and does something that simple in presentation negate any worth of artistry? Or is that just considered too easy? For a long time my only "process" to writing was to sit here and try to figure out what I was feeling and then try to convey that as distinctly as I was able. But lessseeeeee...I'm exploring here, Ali, bear with me. Elia Kazan--"On the Waterfront"--is it less artworthy because he found catharsis in the statement of the vehicle? And further, Arthur Miller's answer, "The Crucible"? (not comparing my crappy how-blue-is-me poetry to them, of course, but I think you see what I'm getting at. You usually do see what I'm getting at, even when I don't.  )On occasion, here at Pip, I confess I tried doing what I thought of as writing exercize. When there were fewer forums, I would attempt to write a poem in every forum (nod--straight to keys of course) using appropriate mood and tone for each forum. But while I did indeed distance myself emotionally from what I was feeling "at the moment", I had to "summon" up inspiration from the past, and "re-live" it in order to achieve the proper frame of mind to write from what I considered to be an honest place of spirit to be even touch each subject. (Much as a method actor would) And I'm not asking questions to make any point, just exploring here, in as honest a state of befuddlement as I have ever been.) So now will someone please tell me just what the hell am I talking about? sighs and smiles Thanks Ali. I'm still over here doing this--  Now if only I could learn to type with my forehead...  |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
It is possible to type with your forehead...just calls for a really large keyboard. Cathartic writing is not, in and of itself, a bad thing. It is a needed thing. It's how we let off steam or finally give voice to something without words. Inarticulate scream of frustration chained down by ink. And, at times, such can reach out to those who have yet to find the words and understanding dawns, as well as capacity for giving voice to their own internal daemons. The distiction can be hard to find though, betwixt catharsis and fiction. In such cases, I'll generally refer to the 'speaker' of the piece, but not the writer, unless I then move on to structure and form. Howsoever, this does not detract from the artistry, for by the very action of penning anything, we are putting part of ourselves into the work: views, images, vocabulary, expressions, methodology, experience. Some of those aspects will differ, especially if one was to compare the handwritten original with the screen text. Then there would be inflection, ink pressure, edits, scribble and doodles. So I don't feel that writing in a cathartic fashion detracts from the overall process of writing. It's merely a facet of the entire gem, just like writing 'my views on this subject and here's why'. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I guess it was the negative connotation that had me going there. And I'll be back...I'm being paged. (You would not believe the chaos that erupts over here, all chain reacted by a knock at the door) But then I bet ya would. Later m'friend. |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I believe the answer is yes and no. There! Solved that one! Actually, it is the answer. Some writers put their life into their poetry and some writers put life into their poetry. See the difference? I may be able to write about being abused as a child or an adult but was I? No. I FEEL it. I empathize with the feelings of those who went through it. If I had been abused would I be able to write about it? Now that I'm not sure of...I can't write about my grandson and he is the dearest part of my heart. I can write about love but I'm not IN love. I can write about the pain of not being loved because in my heart, I know I am not loved. Does Stephen King have a warped life to be able to write the way he does? NO. Just an incredibly vivid imagination. Is there room for imagination in poetry. Yes! So again, the answer is yes and no. Find YOUR voice, what works best for you and don't quibble about what's right or wrong. Because there is no right or wrong...there is only poetry from your heart... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ummm...several interruptions since, I come back to find that Poet deVine has, I believe, fallen upon, or brought up [according to one's state of mind at this time of evening] the exact answer. Yes and No. And I couldn't have done better, myself. |
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brian sites Senior Member
since 2002-06-25
Posts 1475usa |
you are asking us humans... if you are human doubts doubts why do we doubt if what we write is valid? it is all... I am not a professional poet I don't consider ANYTHING I do professional... even what I get paid to do..grin but nevermind my two cents? we CAN abstract to an undefinable degree about others' experiences but basically we boil poetry/writing down to what we KNOW... or LOVE as said before Stephen King has written things that he hasn't experienced..but imagined... but I have read him say that he always loved the emotion of fear..of the darkness of the human spirit...fascinated.... so even if we write something ..of another's shoes..(that we haven't walked in) there are threads that connect us all some aspect that can translate to our experience... and no I haven't said ANYTHING to the quote ART endquote of (great big granite block letters)- Poetry some hold this to higher degrees of importance than others if it is form..rather than substance that you are talking about...then ignore this..because I haven't a clue as to forms I suck at pungshu-ashyun ok I ramble like a Sunday Bruncher sigh grin DING! fries are done |
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Krawdad Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597 |
I pretty much don't know why I write anymore and worse than that I'm truely baffled about why I don't. But this is an interesting discussion. So, does it matter what I write? I guess not, not to me, other than as an opportunity for recording self-conversation. And . . . ahhh . . . maybe that's the problem Oh, where's the plug to this stupid thing . . . |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Thanks all for the input, and I will be thinking more on this before the next question... yer all dolls. |
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Nightshade 
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
 what was the question?[This message has been edited by Nightshade (12-26-2003 02:04 PM).] |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
When I was a preteener ( is that a word?) I was given an award at summer camp for "adaptability". At the time I thought it was a good thing....was it?  |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Martie? grinning here. I've always thought of myself as "oblivious"--maybe I just adapt quickly? I really should lay off the thinkin'. |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
Does what you write make YOU nod? Your stated objective made me nod... |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Is there something wrong with writing from a personal standpoint? And if there is, is there any possible way to avoid that? And further, would I really be a better writer if I did? ========== KA? ------> /pip/Forum44/HTML/001227.html /pip/Forum53/HTML/002879.html /pip/Forum53/HTML/001615.html /pip/Forum69/HTML/000462.html /pip/Forum80/HTML/000231.html baby...if it aint broke.. dont fix it. |
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Jason Lyle Senior Member
since 2003-02-07
Posts 1438With my darkling |
I had never heard the term "cathartic poetry" until recently.I guess I am very guilty of writing this way.I had also never, until this thread, realized it was frowned upon. I guess I need some writers polish, If it seems self indulgent, I guess it is.I will often spin off a post here with simply what is on my mind, sober or not .I know I write blunt and from my life, I may have missed some kind of rule that says, "don't whine to me" I guess I have broken a rule I did not know about, but that explains alot. I will think alot on this, perhaps I have been posting alot of "who cares about that?" Jason |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Jan? I love ya m'friend. and Jason? We've got a case and a half of beer over here, a sack of oysters, and about ten lbs. of shrimp to fry. I think I'll eat poetry tonight. Wanna come?  |
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