Would You Like a Mint-Or?
On editors, individualism, and being considered a ‘difficult’ writer
In the last few years, I have noticed an almost microscopic focus on mentorship in the writing scene. It is expected that any writer would want the input of those deemed “experienced” and “knowledgeable,” but what if those things are simply run-of-the-mill observations made by biased people?
That is not to say that these people aren’t knowledgeable, but to place them in a hierarchal system does a disservice to all writers. When it comes to this job, we are all different in our styles and values. I have always had an issue with authority, but never in a disrespectful way. I don’t flout the rules just because, but because I recognise when people are on a power trip.
I’ve been submitting to journals for five years now, and in that time I have come across many editors who have deemed themselves far more important than the writers providing them with the material. Before anyone tries to dismiss my argument because I’m just a lowly writer, I have been an Associate Editor to a magazine before.
I reject the idea of objectivity in writing. I don’t subscribe to this belief that there is ‘bad’ or ‘good’ writing. What one person likes will be what another hates, and while I rarely hate anything I read, I believe that this is the only reasonable option.
A lot of former critics are angered by the decline of criticism, but that seems an odd thing to be annoyed by. The world being kinder is a good thing, and the egoism behind Literary Criticism cannot go unnoticed. What is even stranger is the idea that a writer who knows their vision, and goes to great lengths to protect it, is seen as “difficult”.
What they really mean by “difficult” is “strong-willed”. We know our work better than anyone, and we want it to be solely our work, without the input of others who believe they know best. Jack Kerouac (author of ‘On the Road’) was of the belief that editing your writing is a form of lying, and I am inclined to agree. It has become common practice to have someone ‘mentor’ you; this figure over your shoulder who is supposed to know your soul better than you.
Submitting to journals has become a management task. I have to scan guidelines for anything about post-acceptance editing as I have often been caught by surprise in the past. Many editors believe you should be grateful and accepting of their ‘expertise’, which completely disregards your feelings about your own work. I will never take kindly to being told how to feel about something.
When I worked for Thorn Lit Magazine, I did some editing work for the EIC, Stewart Ansel, and even then I was able to realise that by changing anything, I was actively inserting myself into a place I didn’t belong. It was not my work, therefore my presence should have been nowhere to be seen.
I’ve wanted to be a writer since I started reading books at six years old. I just knew I wanted to tell stories for a living, and I was aware it was possible due to the buying of the books I saw in the shop. I would get so engrossed in books that I once forgot my beloved teddy bear in the bookshop. Writing has been with me all my life.
That is certainly enough time to build a strong vision of how I want things to be. I became increasingly opinionated when I got to High School. I personally believe that people like me get a bad reputation that is born out of misunderstanding. While I am fiercely opinionated, I am respectful of opposing views and the right to express them. I don’t think I am perfect, and I have said that both publicly and privately. Arrogance is often attached to being opinionated, but that is not a fair characterisation.
My opinionated nature often loses me followers on social media, but I don’t worry about this because I know I express my views in a respectful way. I find that people don’t like those who stand up for what they believe them, even now in the modern world. This is especially true of the writing scene. I’ve discovered that if you go against what is widely accepted, they try to shove you in a box and send you across the river.
I was once unfollowed on Twitter by an Editor because he had accepted my work, sent it back to me with red lines everywhere, and received a withdrawal by me. Journals need to make it explicitly clear that they do this in their guidelines. I would also encourage Editors to be more open-minded when it comes to someone’s work. The work you receive may just be bricks in the wall, but to us, they are the wall.
I don’t think writing is treated with the same respect as visual art is. When a sculptor brings their work to a gallery, it is protected with passion. You wouldn’t get the Gallery Director turning up with a chisel and chipping something off because they think it looks better, would you? Why is that accepted for written art?
Another ability could be a parent and child. No parent appreciates criticism from another parent about a child that isn’t theirs. They tell you to “worry about your own child” and a few choice words. It seems that only in the writing scene is the attitude of “anything you can do, I can do better” applauded.
I have turned down many acceptances due to an overbearing editor who cannot respect my wish to have my work be my own. I have to reconcile two possibilities. Do I accept editing and be forever unhappy and resentful, or do I fight my corner and potentially lose out on some opportunities? I have chosen the latter.
This essay is part of my fortnightly newsletter, Saturday Download, which you can subscribe to via my Patreon.