My only complaint about Annie Dillard is that she is a bit too pessimistic at times, and not too encouraging to the novice writer. She says “Nor does anyone need your manuscript….There are many manuscripts already—worthy ones, most edifying and moving ones, intelligent and powerful ones….Why not shoot yourself, actually, rather than finish one more excellent manuscript on which to gag the world?” Her inchworm metaphor is also reinforcing this point.
Although there is truth in her words, these words might be a little bit too brutal for a naïve writer who has yet to see the harsh reality of life. I think some might misinterpret her words to mean that you shouldn’t write because no one needs your writing—there is no practical use for your manuscript like there is for say a pair of shoes. I don’t think this is what Annie Dillard means. I think she takes it upon herself to tell the inexperienced writer what a harsh world it is—before you can get your story published, you will probably be rejected by tons of publishers—many will not appreciate your writing because good writing isn’t scarce, and competition is fierce. It is not a friendly world the writer seeks to stay alive in. I guess in a way these harsh words help screen away the writers that aren’t really in this because they love writing—the writers that aren’t absolutely determined to succeed—because these writers won’t succeed in the brutal world of writing, so Annie Dillard tells them to forget it and do something useful with their lives.
Hmmm, what started off as a complaint about Dillard actually turned into something that actually helped me see her point of view; I think that’s pretty interesting. I’m not sure if I fully agree with her pessimism though—I encourage everyone to try writing, after all, how could you discover your love/hidden talent for writing if you never try it out first? The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
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