Jan Notzon's Blog, page 25
May 20, 2023
Ideals
"Idealism, that gaudy coloring matter of passion, fades when it is brought beneath the trenchant white light of knowledge. Ideals, like mountains, are best at a distance."
--Ellen Glasgow
I think that this aphorism by Ms. Glasgow is one of the pithiest and most important I have come across. I believe it elucidates the Socratic and Aristotelian dictums that "Reality Exists", the check on unfettered idealism.
It was the idealism of Lenin and Stalin that created the Soviet Union, that of Mao that created communist China. The results of those two developments produced the slaughter of estimates of one-hundred million innocent people.
The opposite of unbridled idealism is the proposition that there are no final solutions, only trade-offs, i.e. you get something for giving something else up.
Or, as James Madison wrote in Federalist 41: "...cool and candid people will at once reflect that the purest of human blessings must have a portion of alloy in them; that the choice must always be made, if not of the lesser evil, at least of the GREATER, not the PERFECT, good.
--Ellen Glasgow
I think that this aphorism by Ms. Glasgow is one of the pithiest and most important I have come across. I believe it elucidates the Socratic and Aristotelian dictums that "Reality Exists", the check on unfettered idealism.
It was the idealism of Lenin and Stalin that created the Soviet Union, that of Mao that created communist China. The results of those two developments produced the slaughter of estimates of one-hundred million innocent people.
The opposite of unbridled idealism is the proposition that there are no final solutions, only trade-offs, i.e. you get something for giving something else up.
Or, as James Madison wrote in Federalist 41: "...cool and candid people will at once reflect that the purest of human blessings must have a portion of alloy in them; that the choice must always be made, if not of the lesser evil, at least of the GREATER, not the PERFECT, good.
May 13, 2023
I Will Survive
Wrote for a good 7 and a half hours today. Whether any of it is usable or not will have to wait till I can muster up a modicum of objectivity. But it felt good to do it.
My hope is that even if it isn't, it might lead to something that is.
But I find I do what other writers say to not do. I really amend and rewrite as I go along. Those over seven hours only resulted in a little over three pages.
I find that it parallels what I did as a theatre director. I would work one scene to the bone, trying to get the actors to do it fully and truthfully, getting all the beats and individual moments and truly engaging with each other. I found that this tends to inform the other scenes because the actors now understand the very truth of who they are and what they're fighting for. So they tend to go more smoothly
Another lesson I learned later is something I heard another director say: "If you get 85% of what you want from an actor, you're way ahead of the game."
It all depends on how good the actors are.
My hope is that even if it isn't, it might lead to something that is.
But I find I do what other writers say to not do. I really amend and rewrite as I go along. Those over seven hours only resulted in a little over three pages.
I find that it parallels what I did as a theatre director. I would work one scene to the bone, trying to get the actors to do it fully and truthfully, getting all the beats and individual moments and truly engaging with each other. I found that this tends to inform the other scenes because the actors now understand the very truth of who they are and what they're fighting for. So they tend to go more smoothly
Another lesson I learned later is something I heard another director say: "If you get 85% of what you want from an actor, you're way ahead of the game."
It all depends on how good the actors are.
May 1, 2023
Whew!
At the risk of jinxing myself, I finally got what I hope and pray is a legitimate beginning for the next novel I'm working on.
Has it been a slog! I descended into the depths of despair for a while there. Everything seemed completely stagnant: relationship, my singing in my church choir, and my new project.
I worry that I'm too dependent on writing success (not success in sales but rather in production).
I'm constantly getting so many emails from people promising 40 reviews on Amazon and on goodreads. When I google their names, they don't even exist.
SCAMS!
Has it been a slog! I descended into the depths of despair for a while there. Everything seemed completely stagnant: relationship, my singing in my church choir, and my new project.
I worry that I'm too dependent on writing success (not success in sales but rather in production).
I'm constantly getting so many emails from people promising 40 reviews on Amazon and on goodreads. When I google their names, they don't even exist.
SCAMS!
April 24, 2023
The Woes of Rejection
Since a Hispanic editor at Kensington Books was specifically asking for multicultural works, I thought my new novel To Sing Like a Mockingbird might at least get a read. The story takes place on the Mexican border in Texas, has mostly Hispanic characters and a prominent African American antagonist. I thought this would be my best opportunity to at least get a read.
No dice. This was the fastest rejection based on a query letter I have received.
Ah well, to be a writer you have to have the hide of an elephant.
No dice. This was the fastest rejection based on a query letter I have received.
Ah well, to be a writer you have to have the hide of an elephant.
April 9, 2023
Research
Flew to my birth state of Texas and drove along the trail followed by my ancestor Johann Michal Kaczmarek with his mother and adoptive family, the Macalisters featured in my novel ONLY THE DEAD (Know the End of War).
Started from St. Hedwig and followed the trail up to San Angelo as it was in that area that his adoptive father, G.P. Macalister's ranch was located. They were bringing some Herefords they'd bought from the Kotula ranch in the central part of the state. On that long and eventful sojourn, GP's adopted sister, Luz McAlister tells Johan Michal (now John Michael) the family history including the founding of the Texas Republic.
I'm now working on a sequel and needed to see what the topography was like and get an idea of there journey might have entailed. Serendipitously, I happened on my way to see the mesa they might very well have traversed along the way.
A fringe benefit was the abundant wildflowers of Texas along the roadsides. Although it is past peak and there was a dearth of bluebonnets, it was still a feast for the eye.
I'm now back in my hometown of Laredo, visiting family and friends. Had the wonderful opportunity of seeing cousins, children and grandchildren on my mother's side of the family during their traditional Easter reunion.
What delightful people they are! Thank you, Lord! (I just wish the neighbor would turn down the volume of his acid rock music! Wouldn't want to live here again!)
Started from St. Hedwig and followed the trail up to San Angelo as it was in that area that his adoptive father, G.P. Macalister's ranch was located. They were bringing some Herefords they'd bought from the Kotula ranch in the central part of the state. On that long and eventful sojourn, GP's adopted sister, Luz McAlister tells Johan Michal (now John Michael) the family history including the founding of the Texas Republic.
I'm now working on a sequel and needed to see what the topography was like and get an idea of there journey might have entailed. Serendipitously, I happened on my way to see the mesa they might very well have traversed along the way.
A fringe benefit was the abundant wildflowers of Texas along the roadsides. Although it is past peak and there was a dearth of bluebonnets, it was still a feast for the eye.
I'm now back in my hometown of Laredo, visiting family and friends. Had the wonderful opportunity of seeing cousins, children and grandchildren on my mother's side of the family during their traditional Easter reunion.
What delightful people they are! Thank you, Lord! (I just wish the neighbor would turn down the volume of his acid rock music! Wouldn't want to live here again!)
October 31, 2022
Copycats and Doom
I have had to pause in considerable measure the promotion of my novels and the cause is most concerning.
My cousin in Tulsa was attacked by a maniac with a sword when he tried to stop the perpetrator from burning down his church. The perp said, "God sent me."
My cousin suffered severe cuts on his hands, a severed artery and two broken bones in his left forearm. He is facing months of therapy. How much of the use of his hands he will regain is an intangible.
I hate to be such a fervid pessimist, but I can't help thinking that all the arson, looting and violence perpetrated against any form of authority sanctions like behavior from others. The church, after all, is seen by many as a member of the authority structure.
It strikes me that any lashing out (including the "mostly peaceful" demonstrations) is justified by the press, which legitimizes such violence and therefore encourages it.
It has now struck home for me.
The constant message from the media, academia and entertainment is that all authority is evil and resistance--including by violent protest--is always justified.
So we have the attacks on the police, on churches and, in response because it is apparently sanctioned, on the congress, on Paul Pelosi, etc., etc.
I fear it is the breakdown of American society. Maybe I'm an alarmist, but it is respect for law and order that is the necessary (but not sufficient) basis of a functioning democracy.
I fear we have lost all respect for differences of opinion. Those who disagree are therefore considered the enemy and worthy of condemnation and even violent resistance.
Insanity may not reign, but it is reaching very dangerous levels, and its spread is a worrying trend.
My cousin in Tulsa was attacked by a maniac with a sword when he tried to stop the perpetrator from burning down his church. The perp said, "God sent me."
My cousin suffered severe cuts on his hands, a severed artery and two broken bones in his left forearm. He is facing months of therapy. How much of the use of his hands he will regain is an intangible.
I hate to be such a fervid pessimist, but I can't help thinking that all the arson, looting and violence perpetrated against any form of authority sanctions like behavior from others. The church, after all, is seen by many as a member of the authority structure.
It strikes me that any lashing out (including the "mostly peaceful" demonstrations) is justified by the press, which legitimizes such violence and therefore encourages it.
It has now struck home for me.
The constant message from the media, academia and entertainment is that all authority is evil and resistance--including by violent protest--is always justified.
So we have the attacks on the police, on churches and, in response because it is apparently sanctioned, on the congress, on Paul Pelosi, etc., etc.
I fear it is the breakdown of American society. Maybe I'm an alarmist, but it is respect for law and order that is the necessary (but not sufficient) basis of a functioning democracy.
I fear we have lost all respect for differences of opinion. Those who disagree are therefore considered the enemy and worthy of condemnation and even violent resistance.
Insanity may not reign, but it is reaching very dangerous levels, and its spread is a worrying trend.
September 12, 2022
Queries
When I was an actor in a former life back in The Big Apple, pounding the pavement and wearing out my ear (not to mention my psyche) on the phone and probably the umpteenth actor that the agent had heard from that day, there was an interesting catch 22 which is I suppose is true in any field: you have to have experience to get work and you have to get hired to get experience.
Although I must say that these literary agents are a lot more polite than the show biz agents I chased after in New York, the same catch applies: you've got to have sold well to get an agent and you have to have an agent to sell.
Ah well, when I was tending bar in NYC to scratch out a living, one of my regulars, a Whit McDowell said, "Jan, any job you do there are going to be parts of it you hate, and you've got to do those parts too.
But queries are A LOT OF WORK!
Although I must say that these literary agents are a lot more polite than the show biz agents I chased after in New York, the same catch applies: you've got to have sold well to get an agent and you have to have an agent to sell.
Ah well, when I was tending bar in NYC to scratch out a living, one of my regulars, a Whit McDowell said, "Jan, any job you do there are going to be parts of it you hate, and you've got to do those parts too.
But queries are A LOT OF WORK!
July 15, 2022
Dishonesty
It is amazing to me the number of scams for self-published authors. I get at least one or two per week.
It strikes me that there is a lot more dishonesty in the present era than in the past. Of course, that may be just the "good ole' days" syndrome.
However, I remember the landlord of the rented house next to mine telling me when I was going to rent mine as a prelude to selling it. He warned me quite strongly that when he started in the business, he could tell if people were on the up and up. Nowadays, he said he had to check them out on line, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE TOO COMPETENT LIARS!
I also remember an interview with Thomas Sowell, relating that when he grew up in Harlem, he never heard a gunshot. Also, he would sleep on the fire escape during the summer and walk two blocks or so at midnight to get next day's newspaper. Finally, he pointed out that there were two blackouts in New York, one in 1965 and another in 1977. There was no increase in crime during the first; during the second, looting was rampant.
My New York friend Sue Ellen says that it was just a different time.
Maybe, but when a society degenerates so markedly, I question its survivability.
It strikes me that there is a lot more dishonesty in the present era than in the past. Of course, that may be just the "good ole' days" syndrome.
However, I remember the landlord of the rented house next to mine telling me when I was going to rent mine as a prelude to selling it. He warned me quite strongly that when he started in the business, he could tell if people were on the up and up. Nowadays, he said he had to check them out on line, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE TOO COMPETENT LIARS!
I also remember an interview with Thomas Sowell, relating that when he grew up in Harlem, he never heard a gunshot. Also, he would sleep on the fire escape during the summer and walk two blocks or so at midnight to get next day's newspaper. Finally, he pointed out that there were two blackouts in New York, one in 1965 and another in 1977. There was no increase in crime during the first; during the second, looting was rampant.
My New York friend Sue Ellen says that it was just a different time.
Maybe, but when a society degenerates so markedly, I question its survivability.
May 28, 2022
Unsettling
I find that writing about oneself as I was in the distant past to be most unsettling. The novel I am working on now takes me back to me at my most idealistic and, pre-antidepressant, most neurotic.
I can only hope that there are enough readers out there who have been through the battle against weltschmerz, that oh-so-insightful summing up of the crisis of the young when one comes to the realization that your ideals will never be realized--that as Edmund Burke said, "We cannot change the nature of things nor of man, but must act upon them as they are."
That, I believe is the central conflict for Hamlet, a character, for his incredible intelligence has such a vivid vision of idealized life and idealized man. ("And yet to me what is this quintessence of dust? Man delights now me")
In fact, I believe that tendency to cling to the illusion of perfecting life is the most destructive force among people.
As Ellen Glasgow so wisely summed it up, "Ideals, like mountains are best at a distance."
I can only hope that there are enough readers out there who have been through the battle against weltschmerz, that oh-so-insightful summing up of the crisis of the young when one comes to the realization that your ideals will never be realized--that as Edmund Burke said, "We cannot change the nature of things nor of man, but must act upon them as they are."
That, I believe is the central conflict for Hamlet, a character, for his incredible intelligence has such a vivid vision of idealized life and idealized man. ("And yet to me what is this quintessence of dust? Man delights now me")
In fact, I believe that tendency to cling to the illusion of perfecting life is the most destructive force among people.
As Ellen Glasgow so wisely summed it up, "Ideals, like mountains are best at a distance."
April 4, 2022
Ukraine
I wish there were more I could do to help the horrendously suffering Ukrainians besides contributing money. I have written to the White House offering my home to house a Ukrainian family. Even that seems paltry in the face of this atrocity.
Never has there been a clearer example of naked imperialist aggression. For those of you who consider the United States an imperialist power, THIS IS WHAT TRUE IMPERIALISM LOOKS LIKE!
It is as definite an act of barbarism as we have seen since WWII. May God and all of us come to Ukraine's aid.
Never has there been a clearer example of naked imperialist aggression. For those of you who consider the United States an imperialist power, THIS IS WHAT TRUE IMPERIALISM LOOKS LIKE!
It is as definite an act of barbarism as we have seen since WWII. May God and all of us come to Ukraine's aid.
