posted
currently im in the military, enlisted. prior to joining, I wrote much and had a circle of peers that helped me develop, ie. we had the same interests and the attitudes we had about scifi could synch.
I've been isolated lately, a year and a half in enlistment. The military is very.... correction, perversely anti-intellectual. I find it hard to approach my corporal and say, "So, you mind critiquing my work?" , only to be answered with excessive semi-hazing-yet-legal duties, ridicule ...et cetera.
Well, I'm in a combat arms unit, we're supposed to be anti-intellectual., but then again, I don't want the writer-side of my brain to die out after enlistment. I'm not exactly surrounded by material I could use, and at the same time, the atmosphere isn't always geared to help me think better, or be creative for that matter.
sure, there's newsgroups, workshops, the web, lots of resources online, but that doesn't have the same peer-to-peer essence as having a set of friends you hang out with in-the-flesh, not human enough I'd guess. Also, the academe atmosphere is Gone.
been very depressed about this, gives much to write about, but it sucks to be constantly isolated, kills spirit and motivation to write. Anyone have the same problem? any hints on how to cope?
posted
I can understand that you're not surrounded by intellectuals who can help you. I've been there before from time to time (although not in the military). The truth is, the average human is, well, average in intelligence and once you leave school that's what you have.
I do have *lots* of trouble believing that you can't find material, though. I finally got off my depressive kick when I made a study of the people around me. They're human, the salt of the earth, the real life people we write about. I would think a military situation would be even *more* useful for gaining material since lots of books have some military aspect to them. I have the unfortunate disadvantage of having to write those parts from other people's stories, not firsthand. You have a firstand opportunity to see a military unit in action.
So, I hope life goes in a better direction and surrounds you with some group of people who can help you critique your work. But they're just the last step. Get out there and get to know your comrades and find that material just swimming around you, begging to be used!
posted
My husband is in Iraq--the military can be a challenge. 4th ID 204th FSB E MED
You have to realize that writing is not a group function. No matter what your job--it is a solitary thing. That's why we seek out groups like this one—to find others that share the same ups and downs—to find those that we can say—HEY I SOLD THIS or HEY I GOT AN AGENT or HEY I GOT A SLAM REJECTION, and they will understand what we are feeling.
Unless you are deployed, there are almost always local collages, writing groups ect, you just have to seek outside the confines of the military base. Back before internet, and yes I have been writing that long, the only way to connect with other writers was to go to a local collage and join a crit group. Then these people will be your peers. I know I get that look when people (other spouses) say “what do you do?” I say, “I’m an author and I work for an online magazine.” They say, “Oh, well . . . “ and they drift away.
Don’t depend on those around you to be your peers. In the military there are all sorts. And yes the majority I have run into—Army wise, believe a book is used to level a table in the enlisted club on free beer night.
You need a new circle of peers. Branch out. Check local writers groups. Here in Austin TX there are always “writerly” things going on. Even on Ft Hood itself there are book signings ect—go to one of those—check what your BX/PX is offering the way of promotions---go stand in line at one of those and you will see others of a like mind. Get chatty.
Shawn
[This message has been edited by srhowen (edited June 21, 2003).]
posted
I've never been in the military, so maybe my comments are going to be very, very naive. But if I were you, I'd start a journal. What are you doing, what are you seeing, who are you meeting, what are you feeling? Don't just write down the facts, but write things out as scenes. I guess what I'm trying to say is this -- use this time to store up information about people, places, events, things, etc. You are going to have a lot of material for a lot of good stories. Both Robert Heinlein and Joe Haldeman have written very good award-winning novels based off of their experience in the military.
I don't know if this is going to help, but it might.
posted
Having never been in the military, Balthasar is nonetheless very perceptive.
Write about being in the military. This is a time honored tradition, and even has some status (sometimes) within the military culture itself. Keep a journal, observe what military life is like for you (it is different for everyone), and live (this not being the military, I do not insert any profanity, but you get the idea ).
Military experience is great for writers. Why? Exactly because you aren't hanging around other writers and such self-appointed intelligentsia. You're being forced to hike around and dig holes and clean floors and organize your socks in neat little rows (and you get to run around with an assault rifle and blow stuff up on occasion...or do they do that all in simulators now?). You may be exposed to serious black market activity for the first time (are you initial enlistment?). That in itself can be...enlightening (assuming that you haven't been exposed to the black market before). You have a chance to closely observe the life of people that are...real--in a way that academe isn't and never will be.
Not that I took such advantage of being in the military...I was too busy studying the military from the point of view of a military mind...which was interesting in its own way.
posted
Slade007, you have been put in a position of real life-experience. You can use that far better than anybody's opinion.
As Shaun said, writing is a solitary profession. You observe, you write. Critique yourself until you leave the military.
This is a period for developing self-reliance. If you want to become a writer then you erally need to learn that because no one can hold your hand against the onslaught of rejection that writers face.
Realise that you have been given an opportunity here, to develop extremely useful skills and experience. That is a gift. Whether you are strong enough to actually accept them is up to you.
posted
Slade, I suggest you check out the "They're Laws Unto Themselves" thread further down the page. It contains lots of time honored advise for writers. I've found that gems like "Read a lot" and "Write a lot" and "Finish what you write" can be very helpful and inspiring.
But I've never heard anyone advise writers that they must "Always be surrounded by intellectuals."
Here's what nosey old Doc Brown thinks is going on: You have come to depend on encouragement from your peers. When they critiqued your work they fed your ego and built your self esteem. But now you're faced with a couple of years in which you must by much more self reliant. You must find the courage and confidence to appreciate your own work.
If I'm right, I predict that this will be a valuable time for you. You'll come out of this experience a stronger writer.
posted
Just to add my 2cents to the already excellent comments posted. If you need someone to critique your work, and most of us think we do, find a writers group. If you can't find one locally try the internet. Just about everyone here is really good and has helped improve my writing. Thanks guys.
I have been in the military. The military is not anti-intellectual, they perversely conformity and about following orders. Unless you can find one of your peers, ie same rank and not a superior, who can critique your work, I suggest you try a local group or online.
I wouldn't ask Siligurl for help, she's an Officer AND in the AirForce, 2 strikes againt her.
posted
motivating replies from you all. appreciated, Much.
as for material? hell yeah Ive got lots of material abt the .mil enough so that I can convince ANY group of intellegensia to stop paying taxes to the pentagon. but, I don;t know about using this material too much.
its more of an atmosphere, thats my problem. i get this influx of experience that nurtures a lot of intresting material to write and at the same time i've got to deal with many encounters that I'd rather forget about : Hazing, Authority, Alienation. strange, cause I've never been so attached to my material, to the point that writing them down, journalizing, often hurts.
It's hard to hide my tension here. we're trained not to, but once u slip up, show some weakness, your bearing and ur rep suffer, your peers think low of you, look down on you.
as for isolation? there's the healthy type : you are left alone by the nonKindred. then there's mine : you're constantly singled out cause : 1. youve got a brain. 2. you question authority in indirect, semi-in-cognito, even subversive behaviour.
...then again, your replies have encouraged me to look at some advantages I didn't know I have.
posted
What branch of service are you in? Gotta be the marines.
Move outside your unit! Ok you work with them it doesn't mean you have to play with them. If you are single living in the barracs--get out of them do a house share.
Shawn
BTW--my husband is coming home from Iraq this week.
posted
I can certainly sympathise with being in a non-creative environment. However, the cerative process involves *experience* as much as fluent grammar. What you have in the army is experience that you can use in your writing - perhaps better at a later date - to add a superb extra dimension of realism to your writing. Posts: 286 | Registered: Jun 2002
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posted
Well, I've never been in the military, but I can share a few thoughts on the subject of isolation! I stay home with two small children, and know almost no one around here. (Most of my neighbors are people I wouldn't be interested in knowing; not at all on the same wavelength.)
If you can find JUST ONE PERSON you can talk to, it will make a big difference. On-line stuff is great sometimes, but it's not a substitute for a real conversation. In my case, I can count on my husband coming home, so I have another adult to talk to on a daily basis. (He also reads and comments on my writing.) You might look outside the group you normally work and/or live with; that way, if people are hostile, at least you don't have to continue dealing with them on a daily basis.
Isolation is only part of your problem, though, IMO. The rest of it is the "not fitting in" issue, and feeling like you're in a hostile environment. Unfortunately, that probably won't change unless you change. (I'm not suggesting you should.) It's sort of like middle school--some things you just have to live through. It will make you stronger.
The Marines have a reputation for being particularly, um, difficult that way. My grandfather was a Marine in WWII--there's a reason his 3 sons were all Navy instead!
Shawn: Hope your husband gets home soon and, of course, safely!
We just got word that my cousin's husband has been sent into a combat zone (he's an army mechanic). They'll celebrate their first anniversary soon. My uncle, her dad, mentioned that war means something different when it affects you personally.
My heart goes out to everyone who's serving, or who has loved ones serving in combat. We pray for everyone's safe return.
posted
Hey, I'm on the military side. I'm an Army 74B(Informations system Analyst). And we actually are expected to be intellectual. The thing is, my peers are not.
Right now I'm in germany taking a class so I can go downrange to Iraq. There's no one here who even reads, let alone write.
But I do have some things in common with others. Running. It's probably the most insperational thing I do. And others do it, and they know that insperation.
They just don't write.
The only thing that's different between me and my fellow soldier is pen, ink and paper.
~James espri de corp 1ID 121 Signal Battalion
[This message has been edited by FiveSides (edited April 13, 2004).]
[This message has been edited by FiveSides (edited April 13, 2004).]