Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Trying Not To Be a Hypocrite

Every person is the star of their own play, but sometimes it's hard to see past the stage lights. Hard to see the faces of the other actors. The faces of the audience. To remember they're there, they're real, and they have feelings.

As a teenage writer, I worry that people won't take me seriously. That they'll automatically assume my work isn't good or that my craft is just a hobby. I worry that people won't think I have the experiences to portray life and emotions and characters accurately and believably. That they'll judge me because of my age before even reading a word.

Yet, if someone at school asks me to read something they've written, I have to keep myself from groaning.

Partially this is because that stereotype I'm so afraid of stems from truth. The things my peers write usually aren't so great. And then what do I tell them? I won't say it's brilliant or that I liked it. I won't lie to make them feel better. But why should I make them feel bad when their pursuit of writing usually doesn't last longer than two weeks?

Still, I squint through those stage lights and see the faces of the audience and remember. I read the things they give me and try to keep an open mind. Sometimes I'm surprised.

But people my own age are not the only people I judge like this.

Occasionally, when I'm reading a new blog, I'll get a rather mean thought. I have to catch myself and tell myself that everyone has to start somewhere. The greats were not always so. I have to remind myself that I'm not so far along this journey myself.

Perhaps it is a human thing to do, to make snapshot judgements about someone that you would not want made about yourself. But that does not make it right. I try hard not to be a hypocrite, but sometimes it takes a little more effort than others. Perhaps sometimes I don't always succeed. Feel free to point it out to me if you ever catch me failing.

And remember, those stage lights that don't allow you to see everyone else, make it easier for everyone else to see you.

How do you do on stage?

10 comments:

  1. Sometimes it's hard not to judge. I always read whatever someone hands me with an open mind and a desire to give honest criticism. If they want me to compliment their work without pointing out its flaws like they asked me to -- that's when I get judgmental. I'm like, if you wanted someone to say "this is so flawless it must have been written by the innocent hooves of baby unicorns," then give it to your mom.

    (But even my mom will critique my stuff honestly.)

    Ok, that might've been mean. But I always prefer harsh honesty over polite half-truths.

    And yes, people will judge you. Us. And not without reason. But that really goes for everyone, I guess. Even the name "writer" carries its stereotypes. Talk about being judged! We're all weirdos in the writing corner. :)

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    1. "The innocent hooves of baby unicorns." XD

      And it's not mean. It's not fair for someone to get mad at you when you're doing what they asked you to.

      I never thought about just being judged for being a writer. 0-0 I guess the thought might have crossed my mind, but it never really stuck because I wasn't worried about that one. Hmm... I'm still not. They just don't know how fun it is, being a writer. :P

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    2. Haha. It is very fun. It's also fun to come back with snarky comments when people try to judge you for it. :)

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    3. Or when they say things about what you do like "writing isn't work" as one of my friends said to me the other day. -.-

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  2. Part of that may come from the fact that you are so professional, Brooke. I mean seriously...there's a part of me that's excited to know you are going to read something I've written. But then there's a part of me afraid of you because you are so good at your craft. I'm 41...I don't absorb things like I used to so, it takes a lot more for me to improve than kids your age. But at the same time, I can't imagine you being cruel to your peers. IN fact, I bet they seek you out because you exude such perfectionism and professionalism in your writing. And they are young enough that any criticism you have to give, they can change super easy because all you kids have brains that are like sponges.

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    1. lol Trust me, Michael, not all kids have brains like sponges. And making some changes isn't easy for anyone. People of all ages can get overwhelmed or frustrated or not know what to do.

      You shouldn't be afraid of me. I'm not better than you by any standard. And I am the one who should be excited to read your work. Which I am!

      Thank you for taking the time to leave such thoughtful comments. I always anticipate them. :)

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  3. You're one of the best writers I know, Brooke! And Winter who I hosted Chrysalis with is also an incredible writer, and was even at the age of 16. She constantly blew me away with her stories. So age doesn't matter in this sense. I think what matters more is time, and what you learn as it passes (i.e. about your writing craft). I do think that having lived life gives a person more wisdom about life, but that doesn't mean that the teenaged perspective is any less valuable. Far from it!

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    1. I read something somewhere, I don't remember if it was in a book or an article, that if you wait to write novels you will miss the opportunity to write the novels you would have written before. That the novels you will write now will not be the same as the novels you will write later. So in some ways being a writer at a young age is an advantage, but in other ways, as stated above, it's a disadvantage.

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  4. One of my joys is helping aspiring writers on their way to become published. I never get tired of paying it forward.

    It's good of you, Brooke. :)

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    1. Thank you, Clar, I try. :) I actually have two book promotions being posted next week!

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