Craft in the Real World
Matthew Salesses
17 min
7 Key Points
4.5 RateWhat's inside?
Explore the art of fiction writing and workshopping with a fresh perspective, breaking traditional norms and embracing diverse narratives and techniques.
You'll learn
1. Learn to write and review stories2. Challenge old-school writing biases3. Boost your writing skills for real life4. Make your writing space welcoming for all5. Understand the role of culture in stories6. Learn to critique and tweak your own work.Key points
01Writing well means making it real
Matthew Salesses has a fresh take on writing. He believes that to truly master the craft, you need to work with reality. Sounds a bit vague, right? But stick with me, it's a deep thought about how writing connects with the world we live in. Salesses is shaking up the old-school writing rules. You know, the ones that have been around since the days of Aristotle in ancient Greece. Aristotle was all about the hero driving the plot. This has been the go-to approach for a lot of writers, especially white guys. But Salesses thinks this is too narrow. It doesn't capture the rich tapestry of human experiences. He also points out that audience expectations have been shaped by white, straight men. This has led to an unwritten rule in writing: if a character's race isn't mentioned, they're assumed to be white. Salesses isn't a fan of this rule. He argues that if race is a big part of the story, it should be spelled out, just like the story's setting. He's all for including diverse characters in stories, to reflect the diverse world we live in. Salesses also takes issue with the idea that writing is a privilege for the educated, successful, and wealthy. This was the norm in Aristotle's time when only the upper crust could create while slavery was a thing. But that's not how the world works today. People don't choose their class or race, and these factors shouldn't decide who gets to write and who doesn't. Salesses is all about grounding writing in the real world. He encourages writers to write for an audience that matters to them, rather than sticking to the old rules. He shares techniques to help writers free their work, making it more genuine and valuable to both the readers and the writers. He also has some fresh ideas for running writing workshops, focusing more on the writer's personality and background. So, in a nutshell, Salesses' idea that mastering writing is about working with reality is a call to arms for writers. It's about breaking free from the old rules and embracing the diversity and complexity of the real world in their work. He offers practical advice and exercises to help writers do this. So, if you're looking to up your writing game, his insights could be just what you need.
02Your background and what's expected of you shape your writing
Matthew Salesses has a pretty interesting take on writing. He believes that our culture and what we expect from a story can really shape how we write. Let's break this down a bit. Imagine you're a writer who uses the word "query" a lot because that's what people say where you're from. But then you go to a writing workshop and everyone else is using the word "ask." You might be told to switch out "query" for "ask." This small change can make a big difference. It can change who your book speaks to because it's now using language from a different culture. This shows how our cultural norms and expectations can influence our writing. Salesses takes this idea further by saying that our craft, or how we write, is really just a set of expectations. These expectations come from our culture and society. When we read a book, we bring these expectations with us. For example, in a lot of Western stories, characters often end up conforming to what society expects of them. Take Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" and Daisy Buchanan from "The Great Gatsby." Both of these characters end up doing what society expects of them - Elizabeth marries Mr. Darcy, and Daisy goes back to her husband, leaving Gatsby behind. Their actions reflect societal norms, and the way their stories are told is shaped by these norms. This shows how societal expectations can influence our writing. But Salesses also says that these expectations aren't always a bad thing. Some story types, like the Cinderella story in romantic comedies, can be really successful. As Kurt Vonnegut once joked, a Cinderella-like story could earn a writer a million bucks. Salesses also takes a shot at the "hero's journey" idea that Joseph Campbell talks about in "The Hero with a Thousand Faces." Campbell says that the journey of a male hero, full of challenges and hardships, is a story that everyone can relate to. But Salesses asks why the journey of a heroine can't be just as important. He also suggests that not all heroes have to go through trials, challenging the idea that a hero's journey has to look a certain way. So, to wrap it up, Salesses believes that our culture and expectations can really shape how we write. By understanding and questioning these norms and expectations, we can write stories that are more diverse and inclusive.
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Full summary is waiting for you in the app
03You're writing for everyone, but really, you're writing for someone specific
04Your writing's vibe shapes how people see the world, and conflict makes it real
05Make your characters one-of-a-kind, not just relatable
06Got some fresh ideas for writing exercises and workshops
07Conclusion
About Matthew Salesses
Matthew Salesses is an acclaimed author and professor, known for his works on identity, race, and culture. He has written novels like "The Hundred-Year Flood" and "Disappearance Duet". His book "Craft in the Real World" challenges traditional writing and workshopping methods, offering alternative approaches.
