Rant/Tips For Success

When “Bad” Gets Even Worse

Maybe the answer is to stop working so hard

As anyone who’s been writing on this platform for a while knows, it’s nearly impossible to keep up with the changes. Claps count, then they don’t. Curation is a thing, then it isn’t. We’re making headway, then we’re not. Call it a “profusion of confusion.”

Yesterday, I was checking out the story links in the Facebook posts when I saw one by a writer I’d never read before or was aware even existed, for that matter. He may be a newbie. There’s a lot of that going around.

The guy was talking about the fact that he’d finally gotten curated. To his credit, he said that the story in question “wasn’t even that good,” or “not one of his best” or something to that effect.

Well, he was understating things a bit. Not only was his piece “not good,” it was a turd of truly impressive proportions. A two minute or so read that a third-grader could have improved upon. One with a “D” average. And it wasn’t even a story, more like a joke told around the water cooler and then quickly forgotten.

The title was, apparently, a “gag” as the writer included a kicker that read “Gag Title.” Classic!

Yet, this piece of putrefaction was curated. I wish I could include the story link here just so you could see the title, but of course, that wouldn’t be right. Why this would be a misstep on my part I’m not entirely sure, as the writer felt confident enough to put his “work” out into the world for everyone to see.

Why do we have to be so damned politically correct all the time?

This hurts. I don’t know how else to put it. My writing brother and friend, P.G. Barnett has expounded on this unfortunate yet all-too-frequent occurrence recently in several of his own stories, but what are we “real” writers to think when shit is elevated to high art? How are we to continue, day after slogging day, churning out the best material we can and then watch as it disappears into the abyss?

We must love what we do! How else can we get up every morning and start fresh? Try again? Sit by as yet another hack gets his licks in?

In his book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Stephen King says:

“Bad writing is more than a matter of shit syntax and faulty observation; bad writing usually arises from a stubborn refusal to tell stories about what people actually do― to face the fact, let us say, that murderers sometimes help old ladies cross the street.”

“What people actually do.” Pretty spot-on, I’d say. I guess what people actually do isn’t titillating enough for some readers. For me, this doesn’t compute as I find “real life” to be scary and exciting, heartbreaking and inspiring, fucked-up and the best thing ever.

A few months ago, I stopped writing for a publication that has generated a lot of heat on Medium, with its message of “diversity and inclusivity.” As I watched the great writers get buried by the crap-mongers, I made the mistake of criticizing the pub and was promptly dropped.

I was more than good with being excised, I was relieved and subsequently inspired to create The Top Shelf, which I co-edit with Mr. Barnett. Recently, I checked out a few of the newer stories in the pub, just to see if anything had changed, and nope, true to form, the stench was more pungent than ever.

PU.

Many writers who I respect and admire are actively contributing to that publication so I read them when I can, but in general, I keep my distance as I’m sufficiently depressed these days as it is. I don’t need to repeatedly slam my head into a wall.

But back to the story in question. In what reality does a piece like this grab the attention of Medium’s curators? Are they fucking with us? Sometimes I think that’s it: Much like everyone else, they’re bored and need a bit of levity to keep their heads in the game.

I can imagine, when they saw this story in their queue, the editors said something to the effect of:

“Let’s curate this ca-ca and watch the rants roll in!”

That would indeed be a hoot. At least, that, I’d understand. I’m not a scold, I appreciate a good yuck. But, to take it seriously? Come on, folks. Give the rest of us a break and rewrite your guidelines so that those of us who believe you’re seeking eloquence, grace, and acumen no longer have to work as hard.

Give us some transparency of the real sort. Please.

Maybe that’s the secret sauce for those of us who battle frustration and disappointment as we continue to see our hard work discounted:

We stop working so hard. Ease up. Throw down whatever crap pops into our heads at any given moment. This is not me being sarcastic. I’m serious.

Would it not be interesting to see if working less hard reaps greater rewards?

In and of itself, that’s a depressing notion. But what the hell, after three years of chasing the carrot…like an ass…I’m ready to try something different. Shake things up. Say “no” to the status quo.

Think about it. What’s the worst that could happen? We make five bucks instead of ten? Put that luxury Buick that parallel parks on its own, on hold?

In my considered opinion, I believe this is a sound idea and worth a shot. Even as I write this, I feel a story idea bubbling up…something about…breaking wind…no, farting! That’s the winner right there. A heartfelt stinker of a story about farting.

You’ve been warned.

© Sherry McGuinn, 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Sherry McGuinn is a slightly-twisted, longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and numerous other publications. Sherry’s manager is currently pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.

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