On the face of the matter, it can be difficult to see the connection between Greek mythology and writing. For those who know their Greek better, it can be seen as a breathless bit of chutzpah. Prometheus means 'far seeing', after all. While it is flattering to the author's ego, it isn't the linkage.
Prometheus was a Titan heading for trouble. He first aroused Zeus's ire by tricking him in the matter of a choice of sacrifices. Zeus chose to laugh off the prank, but warned him that he wasn't going to tolerate further disobedience. Of course, Prometheus didn't pay any heed.
Zeus had a deep and abiding hatred for the humans that sprang up in the world. He saw them as pests, and would die out of their own accord. Prometheus had compassion upon the poor cave dwelling wretches, and stole the gift of fire for them. He gave them many other gifts, like agriculture, but the stealing of divine fire was enraged Zeus the most.
What does this have to do with writing? It has been likened to stealing fire from the altar of the gods. The creative act of turning nebulous ideas into concrete stories can be very rewarding, if frustrating. However, there isn't a lot of financial reward for the amount of labor expended, especially if it is shorter than a novel
Furthermore, anyone contemplating being a writer should bear in mind the second half of the legend. As punishment, Prometheus was chained to a mountain. In the morning, Zeus's eagle would come to eat his liver. Being an immortal, it would grow back by morning, so the eagle would disembowel him again.
Writing is both one of the easiest and most difficult things to do in the world to do. To be a writer, you must� write. Easier said than done, huh? It isn't the only thing, but if you can't manage that, it's academic.
The next question is, what is needed beyond that? The most basic thing you need is a love of words. You must love to read as well as write. It shouldn't be something you have to do.
Also, an ability to communicate a picture in your mind to the reader. Understanding the mechanics of grammar is helpful, but not necessary. I tend to write more by ear than with a full understanding of the rules of grammar. In cases like this a very forgiving editor is a necessity
Another thing to remember is that writing is just as much a commodity as it is a craft. Once the finished product is ready, it is subject to the brutal realities of the marketplace.
It is considered chic to strike an artistic pose against capitalism, but the simple reality is money is the engine of the mass market. Publishers, who have capital-intensive machines for cranking out printed material, expect returns on their investment. They don't print out all those books and magazines out of the goodness of their hearts.
In the introduction to his latest short story collection, Stephen King lamented the death of the short story. I would argue that the burial of the art is a little bit premature.
The overarching point that they are being pushed out of the literary mainstream though, I think is spot-on. There are enough literary magazines that they should maintain a toehold as a niche market, but the glory years are over
The market reality is the fastest route to money and recognition is to write novels. Even there, the job is becoming more difficult. Rising costs mean rising prices, and a rising turnover rate means the window for selling a book is shrinking.
As one door closes though, technology begins opening new ones. Which circles us back to where we started. Nowadays, there are an increasing number of ways a writer can put the fruits of his labor before the reading public.
Book publishing where the author takes on part (or all) of the cost of publishing, e-books, and Publish-On-Demand are new avenues for authors to showcase their wares. Computers and inkjet printers have wrought a second Gutenberg revolution. Desktop publishing has put the ability to produce the written word into everybody's hands.
One of the consequences of this is our prospective writer must show more marketing savvy to stand out in an increasingly crowded field. Writers must be Renaissance men, able to promote themselves, as well as turn out a product that's worth reading. After all, in order to tell someone a story, first you have to have their attention.
Another part of being a writer is reading. This goes back to having a love of reading. Look at how other authors treat words, and keep an eye out for new words. I have found all kinds of little tidbits that add verisimilitude to my stories.
An example being in a car manual. I learned that a car with an a manual transmission can be started if it is pushed at a speed of five miles per hour. A car with an automatic transmission requires a speed of thirty.
This may seem like just an odd bit of arcanum, but it became a plot point for a story. Prospective authors might be surprised how useful compendiums of odd bits of trivia can be. They might even spark ideas.
Another source of ideas an inspirations is the forward, or other places where the author removes the robes of a conjurer, and speaks to the reader one-on-one.
Readers of Dean R. Koontz know not only is he an excellent author, but he can also be hysterically funny. Read the afterward to Strange Highways if you doubt me. I am always fascinated what they have to say to us
Which brings me to another case of Promethean imagery, as it rates to writing. I was reading a book about writing, and one chapter was about outlining. What stuck with me was what Ray Bradbury said. He didn't believe in outlining, opting to allow the story to ramble where it will, and go through half a dozen painful rewrites
I cannot remember the exact words he used, but the imagery he used was chasing the story through the labyrinth, following where it leads. That would what I would think of, following the Promethean Bearer of Fire through the Caves of Mystery, trusting I will come out safe and sound.
With all this in mind, why would anyone want to be a writer? I would encourage those who feel compelled to write. It has to be more than being invited to literary parties, and hoping for big advances. Someone who has ideas clawing in their head, and feel required to write.
The compensations will never match the heartaches and headaches of creation. So why? To paraphrase Dio, 'The thrill of the chase is worth the pain.' To my fellow Prometheans, good luck, and happy hunting!
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