Why reading books about writing might be your biggest creative hurdle
In short: We are told that mastering craft requires following strict rules like 'show, don't tell.' But what if these prescriptive guidelines actually hinder the art of seduction? To truly beguile a reader, one must move beyond the manual and into the mechanics of making a character's life matter.
Professor Belinda Jack argues that much of the contemporary creative writing industry—ranging from weekend workshops to rapidly proliferating two-year full-time Master’s degrees—focuses on prescriptive 'do's and don'ts.' These include common admonitions such as avoiding over-writing, being sparing with adjectives, or eschewing foreign vocabulary. However, Jack suggests that notable writers frequently ignore or adapt these rules entirely to achieve their artistic goals.
The core of a successful novel lies in its ability to 'beguile.' This is achieved by providing a semblance of life so compelling that characters and their experiences become significant to the reader. When this connection is established, the work earns the ultimate commercial imprimatur: it becomes 'hard to put down.' The goal isn't just following a checklist; it is creating an emotional investment in the narrative.
Jack posits a provocative theory on why so many people study writing without actually producing it. She compares reading books about fiction to reading recipes in a Sunday paper: it serves as an easy substitute for the actual act of 'cooking' or, in this case, putting pen to paper. This cycle of consumption can distract aspiring authors from the very thing that makes a difference—reading the great works themselves.
Despite media prophecies regarding the death of the book due to new technologies, interest in the novel remains resilient. While some digital trends fluctuate, the demand for fiction persists. To understand how novels truly work, Jack points toward deep engagement with literature, citing Italo Calvino’s essays as a model for celebrating works from The Odyssey to modern masterpieces.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How do Novels Beguile? - Professor Belinda Jack
- Also: How do Novels Beguile?
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