Time for our monthly meeting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Hosted as ever by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the aim of the group is to offer a safe space where writers can share doubts and insecurities without fear of being judged. This month's co-hosts are PJ Colando, Pat Garcia, Kim Lajevardi, Melissa Maygrove and Jean Davis.
Today's optional IWSG question: What were some books that impacted you as a child or young adult?
This is a great question that will generate a lot of discussion. Although, as a whole, Terry Pratchett's books had a great impact on me in terms of their skewering of human behaviour, I can pinpoint three titles I absorbed as a young adult that turned out to be a great influence on my writing years later and continue to be so today. These are George Orwell's 1984, Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse 5. The dystopian, censorship and anti-war themes are extremely thought provoking in all of these, and made me think more deeply about how these problems exist in the real world - sadly, they are probably more relevant today than ever. They show how writing about challenging themes can highlight how humanity asserts itself even in the most straitened circumstances. That's definitely something refracted in my work and I think books such as these play a big part in that.
I'd love to hear your answers to these questions! In other news, it seems like age is catching up to me but I embrace it, grey hairs and all, not to mention my first ever glasses, which I need for reading and writing. I like them, but I'm not sure if they've increased my IQ.
Don't forget you can always check out other IWSG entries at the list found here. See you next month!
20 comments:
I agree with your choices! I still reread 1984 from time to time.
Dystopian, eh? You must have loved that trend a decade or two back when everything was dystopian. I appreciate cautionary tales like those but I'll admit, I don't read them for fun. I suppose I'm getting pickier in my later years.
I read 1984 and Slaughterhouse 5 too, but I was in college. That's a great picture of you.
I feel you on the grey hair!
Sadly, of the books you mentioned, I've only seen the movies.
Nice specs! You're aging well, Nick.
George Orwell's 1984 & Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 had a big impact on me, as well, and like you, I see their relevance more and more as time goes on. I hope they are still required reading.
I've read in a few places that authors have a responsibility to actually say something when writing a story. Pick a side, get off the fence, etc., and I try. Not that I've written anything life changing or anything--yet. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
You're looking very dashing - and I thought it was that fancy hair frosting... As for books. Some of those are more relevant than ever these days.
Nice glasses.
Those are good and highly influential books. I've read them and so many others on that theme. War fascinates me. So ridiculous and illogical and yet it never seems to go away and probably never will soon.
Lee
You've mentioned three all-time classics, Nick. And Pratchett? What a mind.
https://substack.com/home/post/p-164762814
I tend to shy away from dystopian. But I had to read 1984 and didn't like it even though I understood what Orwell was trying to say. And yes, gray suits you.
The glasses look good! Welcome to the 'I can't see to read or write club'.
1984 is was one of the few books I read in school that I actually enjoyed. You know, in a OMG, this would be a horrible world sort of way. ;)
1984 was one of the few books I had to read for school that I actually enjoyed. Way to go gray! I still vainly color my hair hehe. And writers need some glasses.
Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" also influenced my writing and how I read. Bradbury's work as a whole influenced my writing and reading.
The glasses definitely increase your IQ -- and typing skills, right? Yes, Fahrenheit 451 and 1984 were among my favorite scific reads, to be savored again and again. Thank you for the reminder. In fact, it just might be time to read them just one more time!
Hi Nick - I could never get into those dystopian type books ... I appreciate learning more as I age - grey hair and all! You look good - all the best as you continue on with your books - cheers Hilary
The glasses are very cool. I use reading glasses but I'm about ready to get some bifocals.
I've been using reading glasses since my 20s. Embrace the reduced fatigue! As for books... I didn't discover Pratchett until about 10 years ago, but man, I do love his work! The other books you mention were all school assignments, and ones I'm a little afraid to go back to. Way too appropriate to these times.
No, Nick. I think your new look is great. Lucky you to not need glasses until you have that striking silver hair. More power to you!
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