Editing; Why You Should Read Old Stuff

[cathschaffstump]

Edited: Chapters One and Two of Hulk Hercules

Right now, I’m reading Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. I’m contemplating returning to the habits of my high school years–reading a contemporary book, followed by reading a really old book. Why?

One of the interesting things about meeting authors is that you are exposed to a great deal of good, contemporary writing. Certainly, this pursuit could keep you busy enough.

My tastes run to the classics naturally. I’m not sure why I like Dosteovsky flavor, or what makes me seek out another helping of George Elliot, but I do. I recognize some of the writing as dated or maudlin. Like that spontaneous human combustion that occurs in Dickens’ Bleak House, or any number of cases of brain fever that people die from conveniently when they are no longer needed in the plot.

Still, we need to take a look at the books that endure. Why do they endure? What do they speak to in us that makes us still read them? What makes Vanity Fair a vital satire today? Why should we care about the camaraderie of The Three Musketeers or the brooding revenge of The Count of Monte Cristo?

Those books speak to generations beyond ours. That might be my hope–to write a book that talks to generations beyond mine. BTW, I don’t think Hulk Hercules is that book.

Still, I could be better about writing book reviews, and will try to talk about my favorites. I’d also like to spend some time talking about the old books I’m reading and why I’m doing that.

In the next few days, with that end in mind, you might get a small treatise on Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. There’s a lot there of great worth, especially the focus on a positive spin on male mid-life crisis! I love Arthur Clennam.

See you later.

Catherine

Originally published at Writer Tamago. You can comment here or there.