Ego, a writer's engine

In the course of 40 years, Spanish journalist and editor Juan Cruz has found that “passion and vocation” move writers, but what “moves them most of all are their egos,” the theme of his new book “Egos Revueltos” (Scrambled Egos), because “envy is one of the great defects of the literary world.”

In his role as editor, Juan Cruz has encountered egos of every kind, but perhaps “the biggest” he found was that of Cela, Nobel laureate for literature, “because he had no one to put him down, everyone around him constantly flattered him, he would laugh a thank-you in reply and loved every minute of it.”

Nonetheless, the author of “La Colmena” (The Hive) was “a very lonely man and much more sentimental and vulnerable than he appeared. He was timid and overcame his timidity with arrogance. But it wasn’t a vacuum-packed arrogance, because he was a great writer,” Cruz said.

Another who had “a very abundant ego” was Octavio Paz. “Paz was not a humble man, nor did he think it appropriate to hide his greatness behind false modesty.” He spoke “with the confidence of an authority” and his immense culture and wisdom were undeniable, but “he had a decided tendency to believe that there were few like him in the history of the 20th century.”

Uruguayan writer Mario Benedetti was thought of as modest, but he had “an irritable ego: it remained suspended until some spark made it blaze.” MORE

Walmartization of Literature

Another step toward Walmartization of literature:

"The Faber Academy Toronto, slated to open in October, will offer a selection of long and short fiction and poetry courses and employ notable Canadian writers as instructors.

Faber hasn’t yet confirmed either avenue or course list for Toronto, but Keogh said they plan to keep to the European tradition of offering “unique literary experiences in inspired, independent settings.” The Faber Academy will join other creative writing classes in the city, such as the popular programs at Humber College and the University of Toronto." source

Here's a tip for a quick way to become published: take any "creative" writing course. You will write exactly the kind of book expected and understood by literary agents and editors who took a similar course. Do it if your only goal is to become published, and you don't mind falling into oblivion amongst a plethora of clones, or don't expect to be added to literary canon. For the latter, you have to break the rules.

Are literary awards justified?

Some people feel that the newest literary award, the Tagore Samsung Literary Award is more about the corporate giant than about literature, but what about literary prizes awarded by one's peers?

"Let us readers and authors take a look at the books that have won literary awards these past few years. Writing about these books’ merits and demerits, and of writing standards in general, one journalist said these works did not qualify to go beyond “the fundamental phase of initial screening”.

Reading through these award-winning books, one wonders how they made it to the top. One finds no substance, no literary value of any kind. Also, there seems to be a total disregard for style and grammar, and scant regard for literary theory.

We see the use of coarse and crude words and phrases that are totally inappropriate for books of any genre. Peppered with crudities, these books are unreadable and drag literature down to its lowest depth.

Most book awards trigger controversy involving money, publishers and cartels. Take a look at the book awards scenario. Prize-winning authors become judges, judges become authors. Who helps whom? Names seem to matter more than writing skills." MORE

Whom are you wearing?

Now, when asked Whom are you wearing today? you can answer: Gabriel García Márquez:

"The exhibition entitled "20 suits for Europe. Designers converse with literature" is the creative result of twenty designers from Spain, Belgium and Hungary being inspired by the works of other Spanish, Belgian and Hungarian writers and poets.

This multidisciplinary and transnational context gives the exhibition an additional artistic element, as well as a marked European flavour, providing a metaphor for the constant exchange experienced by Europe's citizens and its cultural diversity.

The creative exhibits of "20 suits for Europe" are from twenty designers: twelve Spanish, four Belgian and four Hungarian. They were commissioned to 'dress' the prose and poetry of another twenty Belgian, Hungarian and Spanish writers in an initiative that goes beyond fashion and literature. It is a clear example of the dialogue between the arts that defines today's society." MORE

Literary Carnival

World's most famous Carnival kicks off on a literary note:

The world of Don Quixote was recreated in Rio de Janeiro’s Sambadrome by the União da Ilha samba school, which opened the parades with representations of Miguel de Cervantes’ masterpiece.

União da Ilha (Union of the Island) led off with a parade entitled “Don Quixote of La Mancha – the gentleman of impossible dreams” as its entry for the Carnival title.

“Don Quixote is enchanting for the madness of fighting for ideals that reason has no part of,” the artistic director of União da Ilha, Rosa Magalhaes, said in explanation of their chosen theme. MORE

Something Red for Valentine's Day

I thought it only fitting to pick something red on Valentine's Day, so I went for Reds, Warren Beatty's classic film. I remember watching it as a kid, and am happy to report that it holds its ground.

Fascinating roster of witnesses, some very high profile, and familiar names make this movie irresistible. At a time it came out, with Ronald Reagan on the throne, it was thought audacious of Beatty to release it and predictions of it falling into oblivion were quick to follow. Well, were they wrong! The movie is ranked among ten best.

It is about politics, but it has an important message that outlives any political strifes: hope, and what happens to people when hope dies and all that's left is hype.

MORE ABOUT REDS

Classic espionage literature

I like to read with a virgin mind. I do not read book reviews if I can avoid it, none, ever. I try to avoid blurb too. I don't write any either (sorry to all those fellow writers who asked). Occasionally I will come across a review when it sneaks its way in front of my eyes, as this one did. It made me want to look up the book, and I downloaded it from free, from Gutenberg. Reading it now.

"Espionage has become so sophisticated and hi-tech that it's difficult to believe that this, the greatest of all spy stories, was published more than a century ago when agents relied on wits rather than gadgets. Set against the background of the Great Game being played between Britain and Russia on the north-west frontier after the second Afghan war, it tells the story of an 11-year-old orphan boy who looks and sounds like a native but beneath his filthy rags is white. Kim, né Kimball O'Hara, wears his Irish soldier father's ID round his neck and survives by running errands for a wily Pashtun horse trader with an ancient Islamic proverb to suit every occasion. "Children should not see a carpet on the loom until the pattern is made plain," he advises, his great red beard wagging solemnly. What Kim doesn't know is that his mentor is also a "chain man" or spy for the British. Mahbub Ali's constant travels through the subcontinent, selling horses to army officers and maharajahs, affords the perfect cover. How Kim, travelling with a holy lama in search of the sacred river, meets Colonel Creighton, who recognises his unique qualifications and talents and sends him to a mysterious spymaster to learn the secrets of espionage, is riveting. Adventures aside, Kipling's descriptions of India, its exotic people and places, are awesome, as are Sharma's seemingly inexhaustible collection of accents British and Indian – in Kim's case, a subtle mixture of both. No mean feat."