Loved the unexpected answer you gave to Sonia Pilcer: not “there’s always more to write about” but maybe, for some, there isn’t. Also your last line, about characters always trying to extract something from others in their dialogue. A good reminder!
I once read a remark by an editor (I forget who it was – certainly nobody famous) in which he boorishly described how he had completely rewritten the first act of a book over a weekend. Being in the presence of that kind of arrogance, especially when it is originating from somebody other than myself, makes me feel rather ill. Laying something that I have poured my heart into at the feet of someone who would disdainfully reshape it in their image, over the course of a Saturday and a Sunday, would be too much for my fragile psyche to bear.
But this is a hypothetical along the lines of 'what if I could fly?' or 'what if I was president of France?' Out of necessity, and also, I believe, as karmic penance for gruesome misdeeds committed in previous incarnations, in this life I am mostly fated to do my own editing.
I did have a really positive experience a few years ago. A tiny short story I wrote was adapted for performance in Hong Kong. The piece went back and forth between me and the guy who was vetting it. I recall defending one of the lines that was marked down as superfluous, but agreed it could be phrased better. He suggested one of the characters wasn't pulling their weight and should be taken out. He was absolutely right. We burrowed right down into the minutiae. The amount of thought that was poured into this small piece of writing was incredibly flattering. We ended up with what I consider to be a really tight piece of fiction. I greatly appreciated the editorial input, which elevated the story to a standard far beyond what I could have achieved on my own.
In principle, I do enjoy the collaborative nature of writing where you get the ball rolling and then someone else steps in and offers their perspective. I think that I prefer an emotionally detached, negotiation-oriented approach to editing. I have no patience any more for the hot-blooded clash of egos and the ensuing chest-beating and nipple-fencing. If I want that, I'll swagger into one of the pubs along the seafront and start an argument.
I don't think the nature and spirit of editing, from a writer's perspective, has been better articulated. I, too, have crossed swords with ham-handed editors, but rarely did it do any good! Writing is such a subjective thing. When you are writing on demand for money, there's not much you can do except practice humility and move on to the next assignment.
Having a realistic self-awareness about your abilities helps, but it's been my experience that either the writer has too large, or too small, an opinion of their own work. Well-meaning friends will offer to "look over" my work, but I'll take my chances with an experienced editor.
Nothing can make a story sing like a skilled, compassionate, considerate editor. Thank God, I have had those too, although I did not always recognize them in my youth. My saying is "Advice, never taken and rarely appreciated."
I also compare writing to breaking rocks with your brain. No one expects to pick up a paintbrush or a musical instrument and master it at first sitting. And yet, any fool with a pencil and paper can call themselves a writer. True, some are natural talents. But like "Artist," the title is earned, not bestowed. Talent doesn't necessarily win the day.
Your insights and direction in this blog have been so helpful and comforting in many respects. And I have been at this as long as you have... without the "fortune" and, just as happily, without the fame. Gloria Steinem once said that writing is the only task that doesn't make her feel as if she should be doing something else. Me too.
My horoscope this week said: "You'll have many fine opportunities in the new year. But be warned: Reject offers of "help." You work best when free to be your own creative self."
Now there's some advice I can get behind. Hah! Happy New Year Hanif and Family and to all the subscribers here. I know I will be signing up for another year, if you'll have me. This is a master class on writing, whether intended or not.
A purely practical comment. I am a C2 quadriplegic – ventilated with a weakened voice. I have found the best technology solution is to dictate with (flaky) Dragon and use Tobii EyeGaze for mouse control. Keep up the good work!
Wonderful answers Hanif, and I was glad to see you answered Richard Price’s (my husband) question about your relationships with editors and collaborators. We struggle constantly with editors in our lives, and it was calming to hear that someone as magnificently talented as you has also been stung. Your generosity in sharing these episodes means so much.
Very interesting in relation to our attitude with creation and each other. In France at the moment people - especially in the cinema world and between generations - are literally tearing themselves apart in relation to the Depardieu scandal but the answer is not all white or black as usual…
I have read your past work, Hanif, and can’t fault it. I do think that some well known authors (dare I name one? I have recently read ‘Lessons’ and ‘The Romantic’) get away with a lot nowadays. Usually it’s too much padding. Word processing allows writers to be self indulgent- is that true? I don’t know, but it feels like that to me. I think I’m a mild mannered and self effacing editor, but when it comes to my own efforts to write, my superego comes down hard on me. Thank you very much for your suggestions. I will follow them up.
This is you in command of your craft! And working with someone you respect (Simon). Yes, we have to back ourselves with whatever it is we offer up or create - it is first of all ours. Shattered will be such a piece of work then - I enjoyed reading your answers which seem to have at their heart, be free with your writing it needs no prison, it does need discipline and - it is a living thing.
Now this is probably the shortest response from me - yes the usual blah in the background (Arnie film) cats to supervise food to eat and wait - another writer on here has pushed their weekly gut wrench on here more or less at the same time as you did. Hanif I read yours first if you get me. Hope all is well in the kingdom of kureishi - it feels alright from here. Big love from one of your unpaid peripheral readers
in the small village (just as I typed that, last week's horror story gave me a nudge but it is reserved for
another time - whatever you do don't move to a village.) in North Yorkshire. Maddi x
I think/ hope I have succeeded in the Upgrade to Paid section; it has eluded me so far. I have thought of you so much all year -I'm sorry not to have seen you - I've been looking after my ma, who has now died at a great age and am trying to get back to some lifestyle other than being her carer. I would love to see you, help in any way and meanwhile send you love and congratulations on the work so far
Hi Hanif… I am quite a fast touch typist and in the past have worked for Allen and Overy solicitors and various other companies, as an audio typist. I have also worked as a carer and worked alongside Mother Teresa in India for a year, teaching her nuns English and helping out on the street projects. If I can be of any help to you at any point, please do let me know. It would be purely on a voluntary basis. 😊 catherineliddle@yahoo.com.
Hanif, you are a living legend. Please continue. You inspire and energise always.
Thank you.
Loved the unexpected answer you gave to Sonia Pilcer: not “there’s always more to write about” but maybe, for some, there isn’t. Also your last line, about characters always trying to extract something from others in their dialogue. A good reminder!
I once read a remark by an editor (I forget who it was – certainly nobody famous) in which he boorishly described how he had completely rewritten the first act of a book over a weekend. Being in the presence of that kind of arrogance, especially when it is originating from somebody other than myself, makes me feel rather ill. Laying something that I have poured my heart into at the feet of someone who would disdainfully reshape it in their image, over the course of a Saturday and a Sunday, would be too much for my fragile psyche to bear.
But this is a hypothetical along the lines of 'what if I could fly?' or 'what if I was president of France?' Out of necessity, and also, I believe, as karmic penance for gruesome misdeeds committed in previous incarnations, in this life I am mostly fated to do my own editing.
I did have a really positive experience a few years ago. A tiny short story I wrote was adapted for performance in Hong Kong. The piece went back and forth between me and the guy who was vetting it. I recall defending one of the lines that was marked down as superfluous, but agreed it could be phrased better. He suggested one of the characters wasn't pulling their weight and should be taken out. He was absolutely right. We burrowed right down into the minutiae. The amount of thought that was poured into this small piece of writing was incredibly flattering. We ended up with what I consider to be a really tight piece of fiction. I greatly appreciated the editorial input, which elevated the story to a standard far beyond what I could have achieved on my own.
In principle, I do enjoy the collaborative nature of writing where you get the ball rolling and then someone else steps in and offers their perspective. I think that I prefer an emotionally detached, negotiation-oriented approach to editing. I have no patience any more for the hot-blooded clash of egos and the ensuing chest-beating and nipple-fencing. If I want that, I'll swagger into one of the pubs along the seafront and start an argument.
I don't think the nature and spirit of editing, from a writer's perspective, has been better articulated. I, too, have crossed swords with ham-handed editors, but rarely did it do any good! Writing is such a subjective thing. When you are writing on demand for money, there's not much you can do except practice humility and move on to the next assignment.
Having a realistic self-awareness about your abilities helps, but it's been my experience that either the writer has too large, or too small, an opinion of their own work. Well-meaning friends will offer to "look over" my work, but I'll take my chances with an experienced editor.
Nothing can make a story sing like a skilled, compassionate, considerate editor. Thank God, I have had those too, although I did not always recognize them in my youth. My saying is "Advice, never taken and rarely appreciated."
I also compare writing to breaking rocks with your brain. No one expects to pick up a paintbrush or a musical instrument and master it at first sitting. And yet, any fool with a pencil and paper can call themselves a writer. True, some are natural talents. But like "Artist," the title is earned, not bestowed. Talent doesn't necessarily win the day.
Your insights and direction in this blog have been so helpful and comforting in many respects. And I have been at this as long as you have... without the "fortune" and, just as happily, without the fame. Gloria Steinem once said that writing is the only task that doesn't make her feel as if she should be doing something else. Me too.
My horoscope this week said: "You'll have many fine opportunities in the new year. But be warned: Reject offers of "help." You work best when free to be your own creative self."
Now there's some advice I can get behind. Hah! Happy New Year Hanif and Family and to all the subscribers here. I know I will be signing up for another year, if you'll have me. This is a master class on writing, whether intended or not.
A purely practical comment. I am a C2 quadriplegic – ventilated with a weakened voice. I have found the best technology solution is to dictate with (flaky) Dragon and use Tobii EyeGaze for mouse control. Keep up the good work!
Wonderful answers Hanif, and I was glad to see you answered Richard Price’s (my husband) question about your relationships with editors and collaborators. We struggle constantly with editors in our lives, and it was calming to hear that someone as magnificently talented as you has also been stung. Your generosity in sharing these episodes means so much.
Smashing, insights delivered in your own unmistakable voice, almost as if you were sitting opposite. K x
Very interesting in relation to our attitude with creation and each other. In France at the moment people - especially in the cinema world and between generations - are literally tearing themselves apart in relation to the Depardieu scandal but the answer is not all white or black as usual…
I have read your past work, Hanif, and can’t fault it. I do think that some well known authors (dare I name one? I have recently read ‘Lessons’ and ‘The Romantic’) get away with a lot nowadays. Usually it’s too much padding. Word processing allows writers to be self indulgent- is that true? I don’t know, but it feels like that to me. I think I’m a mild mannered and self effacing editor, but when it comes to my own efforts to write, my superego comes down hard on me. Thank you very much for your suggestions. I will follow them up.
This is you in command of your craft! And working with someone you respect (Simon). Yes, we have to back ourselves with whatever it is we offer up or create - it is first of all ours. Shattered will be such a piece of work then - I enjoyed reading your answers which seem to have at their heart, be free with your writing it needs no prison, it does need discipline and - it is a living thing.
Now this is probably the shortest response from me - yes the usual blah in the background (Arnie film) cats to supervise food to eat and wait - another writer on here has pushed their weekly gut wrench on here more or less at the same time as you did. Hanif I read yours first if you get me. Hope all is well in the kingdom of kureishi - it feels alright from here. Big love from one of your unpaid peripheral readers
in the small village (just as I typed that, last week's horror story gave me a nudge but it is reserved for
another time - whatever you do don't move to a village.) in North Yorkshire. Maddi x
Hello,
I think/ hope I have succeeded in the Upgrade to Paid section; it has eluded me so far. I have thought of you so much all year -I'm sorry not to have seen you - I've been looking after my ma, who has now died at a great age and am trying to get back to some lifestyle other than being her carer. I would love to see you, help in any way and meanwhile send you love and congratulations on the work so far
Eleanor David xxxxxx
Dear Mr. Kureishi,
I read of what happened to you.
All I could think was to send you this documentary I did
on the Nov. 19, 1957 production of Waiting For Godot at
San Quentin Prison.
I thought you might enjoy this documentary:
Here's the link to the documentary:
https://filmfreeway.com/TheImpossibleItself
The password to view the documentary is: Quixote1!
and I think it's case-sensitive so capitalize that Q.
My very best to you,
Jake Adams
Hi Hanif… I am quite a fast touch typist and in the past have worked for Allen and Overy solicitors and various other companies, as an audio typist. I have also worked as a carer and worked alongside Mother Teresa in India for a year, teaching her nuns English and helping out on the street projects. If I can be of any help to you at any point, please do let me know. It would be purely on a voluntary basis. 😊 catherineliddle@yahoo.com.
I really enjoyed reading the questions and the answers. Also, that's a really cool photo of you, Mr. Kureishi.
So great to read the lightness in your writing despite the obvious trials and tribulations. Being back in the family home 😊
Gems in here.