Adoption or employment?

[rhetoretician]

If you want to acquire skill as a writer, but don't want to do it the old-fashioned way (hard work, practice, BIC method, etc.), it seems to me that there are two good options:

One. Get Ursula LeGuin to adopt you. That's not as unrealistic as it seems; she's only a few years older than the woman who claims to be my mother. Could look into that one.

Comments

[hhbarmaid]

I agree -- I love both of those authors. I find LeGuin's ability to say so much with few words amazing. I found Chabon's ability to use the language in some rather "old fashioned" ways while telling a story that completely works for the modern (or postmodern) ear really wonderful.

Personally I would add a #3 to your list. Listen to Neil Gaiman read his own work. Hearing him read makes me want to write beautiful words. But that would be my list -- which I should make on my own journal. (hee)

All three of these authors have such command of the language -- it is inspiring and a bit intimidating!

[madderbrad]

I figure just breathing the same air as she does might have some beneficial effects.

I remember first year physics at university we proved that it's almost certain that every breath you inhale includes at least one atom of oxygen exhaled by Albert Einstein / person-of-your-choice in their lifetime. Something like that.

So maybe you should concentrate on your valet skills. :D

[girlspell]

LOL....a Jewish Jeeves!

Yep, I'd like to be adopted by Ursula LeGuin. Although they only thing I've read of hers were some short stories. The same thing with Michael Chabon. I loved this collection of short stories Werewolves in their Youth. (only thing I've read of his) I know he wrote The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. Somthing I'll try to get around to reading someday. I didn't get to the library today, so that someday has been postponed.

[amamama]

Hm, interesting ideas... Personally I'd think being adopted by you would serve me well. I'm in love with your writing skillz. But I guess I'll have to be happy with breathing in the same air you breathe here on LJ, and then I get to add a few other good writers to the "adopted parents" list...

But I do agree, that *is* a great opening sentence. I just read an old mystery novel, and I noticed I had picked up quite a lot from the discussions going on in my little group of excellent writers. It was fun.