Wild Horses by Gabriel Valjan

 

Q: Give us your writing manifesto.

 

The idea of declaring a manifesto brings to mind the image of some huckster in a public square politicking, kissing babies, and glad-handling the constituency for a vote on Election Day. Writing is a such a solitary act, the odds of recognition slim, and the tastes of the reading public fickle as to induce despair. Too much time alone, the self-talk can invite delusions of grandeur and self-importance. I’m a bit of a curmudgeon so I’m quick to restore humility and perspective.

I write for the joy and pleasure that writing brings to me. I hold no illusions about my importance in the great scheme and swell that we call the universe and humanity. Writing is a choice, my choice, and I decided upon certain principles that guide the creative act. I do my best to adhere to Keep It Simple, Stupid method.

One could argue that writing is a series of ethical decisions, in the choices of this word to that one, or to inhabit this genre instead of that one. The same could be said about profanity, sex, and violence within story on the page. I throw all of this to the roadside because I am an entertainer, first and foremost. That said, the KISS Method is simple, and it isn’t.

I don’t see myself as an intellectual, as in my ideas will not ignite a fire in this world, but the worlds I have created are warmed by the fires of friendships, of a close group of friends, bound by love and trust, who navigate difficult and dangerous circumstances.

Therefore, if pressed to voice my beliefs, I hereby declare these tenets:

RESPECT YOUR READER.

They are intelligent individuals who have decided to spend precious time and money with you. Give them value, respect and gratitude. Stay until the last book is signed.

IF YOU WRITE DARK, OFFER LIGHT.

I maintain it takes less imagination to write dark and depressing fiction. I don’t read to arrive at the last page feeling more cynical about humanity. No one individual is all good or all bad, so show a glimmer of hope, light, and decency.

IF YOU OFFER THE GOOD, SHOW THE GRAY.

This is a subtle variation on the previous statement. Seldom is anything in life gift-wrapped with a cutesy bow. Ambiguity is the norm. Dichotomous thinking—the Either/Or mindset—is what makes people dangerous in real life, and marks the writer as unrealistic and playing it safe.

DON’T PLAY IT SAFE.

This is the ethical decision that separates good writers from great writers. The good writer knows the expectations of genres, and woe to the writer who ignores them because they are the rules of the road. Hone your craft. The great writer isn’t afraid to violate conventions, take chances, and…this is very important…risk offending readers. I’m not advocating to shock readers for its own sake, but to provoke them to think deeper on volatile issues.

People are complex and three-dimensional. They likely began cute and cuddly and vulnerable as babies, but this thing we call Life plus their choices created the saint or sinner.

Awful people do good things, and good people do terrible things.

The 1970s in my Shane Cleary series was not the “good old days.” In fiction that is true to life (and don’t call it nonfiction because that genre is dependent on historical facts), I write characters who are killers, who are prejudiced, holding beliefs that are offensive to some or most, but they are authentic. It’s called authenticity, integrity, and fidelity to person, time, and place.

Remember Puck’s closing speech? ‘If we shadows have offended.’

If I wrote something and it has offended, it may not have been my intention, BUT what I wrote was necessary for the scene, the plot, or character arc.

HAVE FUN.

I’m impatient with the lamentations about how hard writing is. Living is harder than dying. If writing isn’t fun, then stop. Don’t torment others with your complaints. Direct your energy elsewhere. We are all food for worms, so help, uplift, and do what you can to make Life bearable for yourself and those around you.

DON’T TAKE YOURSELF SERIOUSLY.

There’ll always be someone better at writing than you.

This or That is in vogue. You can’t control any of it. Write what you want.

Entertain. Tell a story, and do it your way (Sinatra song not intended).

OWN WHAT YOU DO AND GET BETTER WITH TIME.

I’m harder on myself than any critic will ever be because I know the cost, in terms of blood and sweat per sentence. Resolve to be better tomorrow. Whether your work is a winner or a loser (hat tip to Mick Herron’s Jackson Lamb), they’re your horses.