Talent: Have It
Your Way
I once read that within five years of completing their degree
only ten percent of MFA grads are still writing. I may be wrong—I’ve never
conducted a study—but if I were to guess, I’d say most of those writers gave up
because somehow, battered by poor sales, a harsh inner editor or snide remarks
from others, they concluded that they had no talent.
MFA grads are by no means the only writers who experience these
jags. I’ve lost count of the gifted authors who’ve wondered aloud about whether
they had talent, their confidence pummeled by rejection, poor sales, a bad
review. I’ve struggled with the question myself.
Talent is a slippery, indefinable thing. If we can’t define it,
how do we know what it is?
What is talent, anyway?
The problem is, the
definition is subjective and depends largely on values and taste. To some, talent
means that an author writes lyrically or wins literary prizes. For others, it’s
all about taut plotting or monster book sales. Even these definitions are
vague. Which prize must an author win? An online contest? The Pen/Hemingway
Award? The Pulitzer? How many books must an author sell? 10,000? 100,000? 1
million? 50 million?
Stephen
King defines talent this way: “you wrote something for which someone sent you a check .
. . you cashed the check and it didn't bounce . . . you then paid the light
bill with the money.” Considering that a light bill can be as low as $10, I
applaud his generosity.
But what does King’s monetary
criteria say about a writer like John Kennedy Toole, author of the posthumously
published masterpiece A Confederacy of Dunces?
The editors
at Simon and Schuster admired Toole’s writing, yet ultimately rejected his
novel, because, as one of them put it: “your book isn’t really about anything.”
In 1969, after several failed attempts to revise his unpublished book, Toole
committed suicide.
If
we can’t define talent, how do we know if we have it?
If
publishing success equals talent, then Toole, who couldn’t find a publisher for
his novel, had no talent—at least not in his lifetime.
But
wait—
After
Toole’s death, his mom passed the manuscript to the novelist Walker Percy, who
shepherded the novel through publication. In 1981, A Confederacy of Dunces won the Pulitzer Prize. The book has sold 2
million copies and been translated into 18 languages.
So Toole had—what?— posthumous talent? This anecdote might be
humorous, if not for the fact that so many writers buy into this or other
equally spurious definitions of talent.
Who but artists are judged on the basis of whimsy or taste? No
wonder we’re insecure.
One Percent Inspiration, Ninety-nine Percent Perspiration
Thomas Edison said: genius (talent) is one
percent inspiration—ninety-nine percent
perspiration.
Not all of us are inspired, surely not always.
And genius, it’s commonly assumed, is a birthright, beyond our control.
Perspiration, on the other hand, we control. Equating talent—or genius—with
hard work motivates me; it puts me in
charge of my future.
One of my grad school professors told this
story: the admissions committee, having reviewed the application of one
candidate, was about to reject her. The woman, they felt, had no talent.
Surely, she would fail. Maybe because there were not enough candidates that
year, they gave her admission.
This woman, this no-talent writer, wanted
success, and she wanted it badly. For three years, she busted her butt. And what
happened? She emerged as the finest writer in the program.
“If
you have energy but no talent, you can still be a prince.” Jeffrey Archer
Natural ability—deep insight, a facility with
language—may shoot a determined, hard-working writer into the stratosphere. But
even a brilliant writer, if lazy, is doomed to fail.
Next time the demons arise, remember this advice
from bestselling author Jeffrey Archer:
“Never
be frightened by those you assume have more talent than you do, because in the
end energy will prevail. My formula is: energy plus talent and you are a king;
energy and no talent and you are still a prince; talent and no energy and you
are a pauper.”
We may never reach the heights of Stephen King,
John Kennedy Toole or Jeffrey Archer. We may not want to, either. If talent is
subjective, and I believe it is, then we can define it on our own terms. No
reason to accept or internalize the beliefs or criticism of others. They’re
often wrong anyway. The critics panned James Joyce’s masterwork, Finnegan’s Wake. Today, it’s considered
a giant in the literary cannon. Yes, critics are often wrong.
This, to me, is tremendously freeing. I’ll stick
with Edison’s vision of talent. Inspiration may come. But I’m not holding my
breath. I’d much rather roll up my sleeves and dig in!
How do you define talent?
About
Terri
Terri Giuliano Long has
written news and features for numerous publications, including the Boston Globe and
the Huffington Post. She lives with her family on the East Coast and teaches at Boston College. Her debut novel, In Leah’s Wake, began as her master’s thesis.
About
In Leah’s Wake
A Story of Love, Loss, Connection, and Grace
The Tylers have a perfect life—beautiful home, established careers, two sweet
and talented daughters. Their eldest daughter, Leah, is on track for a
prestigious scholarship. Their youngest, Justine, more responsible than seems
possible for her 12 years, just wants her sister's approval. With Leah nearing
the end of high school and Justine a seemingly together kid, the parents are
set to enjoy a peaceful life...until Leah meets Todd, a high school dropout and
former roadie for a rock band.
As Leah's parents fight to save their daughter from a world
of drugs, sex, and wild parties, their divided approach drives their daughter
out of their home and a wedge into their marriage. Meanwhile, twelve-year-old
Justine observes her sister's rebellion from the shadows of their fragmented family—leaving
her to question whether anyone loves her and if God even knows she exists.
Can this family survive in
Leah's wake? What happens when love just isn't enough?
***
Margot Livesey, award-winning author of The Flight of Gemma Hardy, calls In Leah's Wake, "A beautifully
written and absorbing novel."
CTRR Reviewer
Recommend Award
Book Bundlz
2011 Book Pick
Book Bundlz
2011 Favorites - First Place
Reviewer-nominated
for Global eBook Award, 2012
Named
Top-Title, IndieReader Discovery Awards, 2012
Praise for In Leah’s Wake
“In Leah’s Wake is
an astounding story of a family in transition.”
--Tracy Riva, Midwest
Reviews
“Pulled me right along as I continued to make comparisons to my
own life.”
--Jennifer Donovan, 5 Minutes
for Books, Top 50 Book Blog
“Multiple ripples of meaning contribute to
the overall intensity of this deeply moving psychological drama.”
--Cynthia Harrison, author
of Sister Issues
"Sometimes
scary, sometimes sad, and always tender."
-- Susan Straight, National Book Award finalist,
author of Take One Candle Light A Room
