Another story of Allum, my inversion of the famous Mulla from the East – whose voice occasionally comes through the white noise surrounding our planet.
17th cent. miniature – Tokapi Palac
* * *
An aspiring novelist confesses to Allum, ‘I fear some members of our writing group withhold honest feedback. I wonder if you’re one of those who think my writing’s rubbish, and a waste of time.’
Allum ponders the question and sighs. ‘That’s complicated.’
‘I value your opinion. I really want to know.’
Allum strokes his beard. ‘Some people fantasise about what other people think of them and cause themselves no end of confusion. Some intuit correctly and dwell in purgatory. Then there are those who take other people’s opinions on the chin and apply what’s useful.’
The neighbour is not going to be side-tracked. ‘You haven’t told me if you think my writing is rubbish?’
Mulla shrugs his shoulders. ‘As I said, it’s complicated. Take your pick.’
* * *
He, he, that serious young writer …
Course of Mirrors 
Allum is very wise to not give an answer. He knows that no one can tell another person that his or her writing is rubbish. The value lies in the individual and how he or she views that which they are writing, and the value increases when the individual who calls himself or herself a writer realizes that he or she has something to say, a tale to explore and share, or a hypothesis to discover and write.
I enjoyed this story excerpt of Mulla – Allum.
Shalom,
Patricia
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Thanks Patricia. I made this up being reminded of the hilarious feedback I came across in my time on the dynamic Harper Collins writer’s site, Authonomy, which was taken down last year. I had over 900 comments on sample chapters from ‘Course of Mirrors,’ many glowing. I benefitted however most from constructive feedback, which I also gave to other writers. It is taxing and time-consuming work, not always appreciated.
So, yes, Allum’s stance is a wise one 🙂
Shalom ☼
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As we are mostly inherent liars when it comes to being offensive to others, it is always a rough terrain travelled in giving opinions on another’s scratchings.
Self understanding and the ability to read the needs of others, diminishes the requirement of praise.
Writing in its true sense should be pure. It needs little approval from
anyone else.
I wanted to convey to you Ashen, how much I enjoyed your story – however; it’s complicated.
Cheers B ( Hope the sun is beginning to shine)
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Hi B. Did you mean being offensive? Or being responsive? Because we like being validated and understood, it takes courage to become visible with the process of sifting our thoughts, since not everyone is able to mirror our perceptions. Feeling misunderstood often equals not feeling loved, and can develop into a kind of Cassandra wound, though it is also an ongoing challenge towards appreciating one’s own and other people’s mysterious mindworlds.
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I think in being offensive, we are more careful and perhaps deceitful .As good people we are more willing to compliment and offer platitudes, than say what we really think. Consequently, it is possible to travel about in a kind of bubble.
I am reminded of endless boring committee meetings where very little is achieved other than social contact. Where people leave and then begin to say what was really on the mind.
The world is as we see it. It is for anybody reading or listening to take up the challenge within themselves to create the picture. So my “Rose coloured glasses” will be polished and readied for a new day. B
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I’m with you.
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You have a fascinating story. People read our blogs but don’t post comments. As writers, we wonder WHY didn’t the readers comment? I think some people are afraid that their comment will have missed the mark. Maybe THEY are too afraid of how their comment will be interpreted. On the other hand, maybe they simply don’t care to comment. Frankly, I would like to hear all interpretations! Thanks for making us THINK!! 😉
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Gwynn, I tried to access your site, Grit and Grin. Google says the page is unavailable. I guess it’s normal that only a handful of blog-followers comment at any one time. I, too, come upon posts that offer food for thought and start a process in me, but I can’t find the words, or time, to respond there and then. Some of my best friends hardly ever leave a comment 🙂 And that’s fine. I’ve come to look at the virtual community as a good training ground for valuing one’s own heart and mind. Likes are lovely, of course. At least we know someone floated by and waved.
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I hope that you will try commenting again on my blog. Like you, I value comments. I don’t understand how computers and the internet can be so uncooperative sometimes.
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Gwynn. I’m not sure, but it may have something to do with not having added you website address to your Gravatar page.
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I’m floating by and waving 🙂 The comments are interesting and speak to me – it’s always nice and heart warming to get outside validation in some way though I fully appreciate that many don’t have the words at the time or just plain old time – this is true for me as well. So, it’s complicated, and Allum is like gold he’s so wise … apply what’s useful.
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Wind and waves won’t always allow our little boats to stop, so waving is what boaters do – a greeting 🙂 What’s magical, and probably why blogging took off, is that sharing sharpens as well as widens our understanding of self and others, feedback or not. Once images or writings are outwarded, we can imagine other eyes and ears, kickstarting inner feedback.
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Yes, but what is the function of garbage? Consider the mushroom. It’s function is to cleanse garbage. The Buddha it’s said died eating a mushroom, Cage reminds us, then goes on to say, he died a natural death. Was Artaud right for his age, but if so what’s it say for ours? Writing is the natural garbage of thought. Language is one giant mushroom that feeds on the garbage of experience. http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2014/09/04/quite-unnecessary-young-man/
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He, he. We better give daily thanks to mushrooms then. And the saints that eat our sins, their role in life, a natural vocation. One can only hope there’ll enough saints for today’s mounting garbage.
But Antonin Artaud has a point too… it’s important to maintain a cheery disposition …
As has André Breton, by insisting we negate everything that causes us to be dead while alive …
I guess freedom must be reinvented every moment.
And, worth remembering, the ‘right kind’ of garbage serves as manure for beautiful and nourishing plants … and inspiring words.
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Yes, reborn every day. Once is not enough…
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