I began writing in middle school. By high school I had finished my first batch of short stories. Some were perverse, others dull. One starred Urine as a central character (yes, the bodily fluid). Looking back, my prose was forced, lacking color; my themes were difficult to follow; my stories were glaringly unlikely with plot-holes big enough to fly a jet through; my characters were uni-dimensional, stereotypical cardboard cut-outs. Despite these searing truths, I saved some of that adolescent mess. I even posted one of those early stories on my web-site.
Guess what? That story, born of hormonally driven adolescent angst and titled Johnny vs. Johnny, has somehow become the most viewed item on my author web-site.
Is my writing as a 15 year old more interesting than my writing now?
That's a frightening question. The answer is probably even more frightening.
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I wrote about horses a lot. I'm glad I write about other things now.
ReplyDeleteThe title of your early story is catchy. Perhaps that's what draws folks.
I just read Johnny vs. Johnny. What a beautiful sad story! Reminds me why I homeschool my kids. I hope they don't get their rooe's squashed.
ReplyDeleteJohnny vs. Johnny is pretty good, especially when considering the age at which you wrote it. I'd offer to show you my first novel (written when I was sixteen), but I threw it out in a fit of shame around the age of eighteen. Take my word, you would feel a hundred percent better about Johnny vs. Johnny after reading it.
ReplyDeleteAs for popularity between current and old works--who knows? People like what they like, sometimes for no obvious reason.
I think it's always interesting to see how far a writer has come.
ReplyDeleteOff to read your story now...
It's hard to say. Sometimes the more you know the less you know, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteAgnes,
ReplyDeleteYou said, "Sometimes the more you know the less you know,...." I can't even begin to explain how deeply I understand that. Thank you for sharing the maturity of your seasoned, well-travelled perspective.
Mohamed
Thanks, Jennifer! Hey, you're my writer's role model for the rest of Fall - you wrote 10K words last week; amazing!
ReplyDeleteDear AvDB - I'm sorry to hear that. If you ever find a copy of that discarded first novel, I'd love to read excerpts. It's a part of you, a part of your expressions as a person and an artist. Neat story on your blog about your Mom and you driving over the Bay Bridge. I have a family member who's also nervous about driving over the bridge. I always have to do the driving for that part of our trips.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amanda! I can't think of a safer place for a child's Rooe than right with their Mom :)
ReplyDeleteM Pax - I hadn't thought of that; you're right, maybe it's the compelling title that draws people in. Horses, huh? Looks like you've moved on to astronomy and SF. BTW, I love the astronomical photos on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI know you probably already know, there's a total lunar eclipse on this year's winter solstice (21 Dec) at 1:15 am in the Eastern US. I have an appointment at a local observatory to go watch. Oh, what nerds do for thrills! :)
heya!
ReplyDeletewelcome back!
maybe you were just ahead of the times?
maybe in ten years your current work will be your most popular? :)
Wow. Thank you for reminding me why I write - to help people protect their rooes.
ReplyDeleteHi, what if we found some of Picasso's childhood drawings? Or Leonardo's... They'd become world famous, and people would travel across the world to see them...
ReplyDeleteJust to put it into perspective. But, this said, maybe you were great then too?
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog, by the way. And, remember to always fail better. ;-)
Aspiring x - that's assuming anyone is even reading me in 10 years :). BTW, I love the visual allure of your blog...but then, I wouldn't have expected any less from a creative soul who both writes AND produces visual art. Enjoy the week!
ReplyDeleteMohamed
Thanks, Robert. When we write, sometimes the Rooe that we wind up protecting the most is our own, especially if our writing is honest, raw and born of our deepest passions. I loved the photo of your niece and nephew. They're absolutely ADORABLE!
ReplyDeleteKristine - Wow! You mention me in the context of Picasso and Leonardo...I can't tell you how appealing that is....and how much I don't deserve such mention :). But thank you, nonetheless; it feels good. Yes, I wasn't aware of Beckett's advice to "fail better," but I like it. Keep taking those beautiful photos out in Norway!
ReplyDeleteHi Mohamed...its great to see that you are back. Hope you had a wonderful month of Ramadan. My first lot of stories make me squirm. I just hope I have improved with time.
ReplyDeleteWill read the story on your website.
Went to your website and read the story. It is good, very interesting coming from a very young person. The things we wrote when we were young, sometimes I think we should ponder over them, maybe we might get more ideas to use in the present.
ReplyDeleteBtw is the profile photo of yours new or old, you look so different.
Thanks, Rachna! BTW, I like your method of the Double-Trouble Game to break writer's block. I'll try it next time I get stuck :)
ReplyDeleteRama,
ReplyDeleteI agree; many of the issues that we struggle with when we're young follow us into adulthood. It's inevitable that they find reflection in our writing. I questioned organized faith from childhood. Much of my writing still does. As for the photo, the profile one is older, from right after my undergraduate days, but since this is my writing blog, I wanted to have an image that best portrays how I see myself as a writer...bohemian, with a beard and slightly longish hair. The video on my web-site (www.mohamedmughal.com) is what I look like now...a professional chemical engineer working in the adult world with adult responsibilities...who'd LOVE to go back to being a grad student immersed in free verse and free love :)
That's wonderful, sad story--and written at a young age! It makes me want to believe in rooes.
ReplyDeleteI think it's fun for all of us to read something written by a fifteen year old - we all have some crazy crap flying around up there at that age. Maybe it's just the title...
ReplyDeleteI agree, Medeia. It is sad. But looking back, it's the story of two extremes: one who gives up everything of himself and another who won't give up any part of himself for the world. Most of us find a medium, that comfortable range in which we can satisfy who we are while satisfying who we need to be to function safely within our worldly environment.
ReplyDeleteJolene - some of us even have some crazy crap flying around up there at THIS age :). Hey, I loved your recent post titled "Rules Schmules." It's nice how you think outside the box. It makes for more interesting fiction.
ReplyDeletei have to confess to loving your 'johnny vs. johnny' story too. something very poignant in it. now i need to read something of yours that's current to compare it to. suggestions?
ReplyDeletep.s. thanks for your visit and your comment!
Thank you, Shadow. Actually, I've been giving some thought to that dichotomy myself, the comparison between my writing 30 years ago and my writing now. I'll post an excerpt from my first novel in the next couple of days. If you get a chance to read it, please let me know if/how my writing has evolved.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your blog, especially the way you synthesize imagery with poetry. Thanks for visiting us here!