Never write during a divorce?

[Particle_Man]

I have heard reviews of two writers' books that were said to be bad because the writer was going through a divorce at the time. Should there be a rule saying that any writer going through a divorce is not allowed to publish anything until 6 months after the partner walks out that door?

 

[Truth Seeker]

I have heard reviews of two writers' books that were said to be bad because the writer was going through a divorce at the time. Should there be a rule saying that any writer going through a divorce is not allowed to publish anything until 6 months after the partner walks out that door?

Yes, the emotional wheel will not be stable during that time...and honestly, the publisher should delay for a year at most, but as they say, time is money.

But Quality should be the present rule.

 

[MEG Hal]

I have heard reviews of two writers' books that were said to be bad because the writer was going through a divorce at the time. Should there be a rule saying that any writer going through a divorce is not allowed to publish anything until 6 months after the partner walks out that door?

I think this is the oddest thing I have read in a while...
So a divorce would be 6 months
death to a spouse same
death to a parent/child 4/12 months
Before a vacation 2 weeks
etc...where would it end?

For every book that sucked because an author was going through a divorce there probably has been a great book from another, I wrote during mine and was more active because I had less sleep due to stress, so some may improve.

Good books sometimes need an emotional pool that only comes from a depressing thing happening.

Bad books just happen. Blame it on whatever ya want to.

 

[Umbran]

Should there be a rule saying that any writer going through a divorce is not allowed to publish anything until 6 months after the partner walks out that door?

Aside from the fact that it often takes longer than 6 months to finalize a divorce, you mean?

No, I don't think there should be any such rule. Writers should write when they are inspired. Written work should span the gamut of human experience and emotion, and that sometimes means tapping into stuff that isn't pleasant.

Now, it might make sense for an author to occasionally tell the reader about a major life-impacting event that influenced the writing, so the reader can keep it in mind.

 

[Joshua Randall]

Just write something good, and no one will care when or under what circumstances you wrote it.

 

[Pielorinho]

Are you talking about my comment about Le Guin and Tehanu? If so, I was being flip--I seriously doubt she was going through divorce when she wrote it. The book just came across to me with the sort of bitter, recriminating vibe that I get from new divorcees sometimes.

Daniel

 

[Dark Jezter]

I have a friend who likes to write his own fiction, and he often shows me his stories. He's a good amature author, and I've enjoyed reading his works.

A couple of years ago, he went through a particularly messy break-up with his girlfriend. It was definately reflected in his stories, and for months after the break-up his writings contained a noticably higher degree of pessimism, bitterness, anger, and mysogyny.

So yes, going through a divorce/breakup can definately affect the quality of writing an author produces.

 

[Particle_Man]

Are you talking about my comment about Le Guin and Tehanu? If so, I was being flip--I seriously doubt she was going through divorce when she wrote it. The book just came across to me with the sort of bitter, recriminating vibe that I get from new divorcees sometimes.

Daniel

That was one. Another was from a while back, about a STeven Brust book in his Vlad Tlatos series, where Vlad and his girl breaking up apparently reflects Brust's own break up.

 

[Hypersmurf]

That was one. Another was from a while back, about a STeven Brust book in his Vlad Tlatos series, where Vlad and his girl breaking up apparently reflects Brust's own break up.

Teckla.

I've never enjoyed Teckla all that much. It's not that it's written badly... it's just... not fun to read.

-Hyp.

 

[kingamy]

Teckla.

I've never enjoyed Teckla all that much. It's not that it's written badly... it's just... not fun to read.

-Hyp.

That's funny. I'm reading the series for the first time, and the guy I'm borrowing the books from has all of them BUT Teckla. I'm up to Orca now, and I've been enjoying them.

kingamy