I’d long been an avid cynic of reality TV shows such as X Factory, Pop Idle, Big Brooder, (disparaging mis-spellings intentional) et al, citing them as simple ratings magnets that were all hype and no substance.
I’d avoid them like the cliche, eschewing Saturday night television altogether, tutting at the oft-hyped results and the acres of tabloid coverage they seemed to generate.
But little by little, weekend visits to a friend’s house resulted in the television (which seemed to have no ‘off ‘ function) drawing my eye and ear towards the (often hapless) auditionees on ‘X Factor’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ every Saturday night.
I found myself becoming intrigued, for no reason that I could fathom. I didn’t know these people, these fame-seeking wannabes (only some of whom were quietly talented and later became successful) and yet I found myself increasingly drawn into their stories as they inched their way towards the stars. I followed them from their earliest beginnings. I saw their spotlight-dazzled faces as they shuffled reluctantly onto an over-large stage to croak out a few nervous bars of their favourite song. And then I watched their eyes light up as the crowd called out its approval.
But why was I watching this IQ-sapping drivel; this thinly-disguised attempt to solicit viewers (and before you mentally compose hate-mail, please let me finish), this apparent waste of valuable writing time?
It suddenly became clear to me when I unexpectedly became hooked on yet another reality TV show – Masterchef.
Hooked? Why? I know nothing about food. I can barely make mashed potato or an edible cheese sauce. To this day I am still able to slide rock-hard frozen food onto a microwave platter with only a basic idea of why it emerges twenty minutes later as a hot, steaming meal. I have no aspirations to create Langoustine consommé with lemon tuiles and pea puree, or to begin experimenting with molecular gastronomy (although liquid Nitrogen does look like a wonderful toy).
The chemistry of food defies my kind of logic. It’s a pleasure to eat, true, but the assembly is an alien process to me and most likely will forever remain that way.
But there I was, week after fascinated week, watching untrained but enthusiastic amateurs, their fumbling fingers creating elegantly-assembled dishes of confit duck on a bed of celeriac mash to Michelin-class standards. But why? In the name of the knife, fork and spoon, why??
Then it finally clicked. The title of this post says it all. It was about the journey.
We aspiring writers have very similar goals to those clumsy cooks, those shaking singers, those jittering jugglers. We are all on the same journey of self-discovery – with the hope of our own selves being discovered. Or our work, at least.
I realised that by watching these rising stars gain new skills and achieve undreamed-of heights, my thoughts were paralleling their journey with my own aspirations, because I hoped that I would also (one day) experience a similar journey.
My mind had latched onto these stories in an unconscious act of self-preparation.
It may be that every individual who achieved the final three of Masterchef, X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent has already inspired me; proved to me that it IS possible to lift our (literary) voices from behind the background noise of society enough to be heard.
Ordinary mortals like us can achieve great things. But it takes time. It takes a measure of confidence. But it can require a good measure of encouragement from our peers too.
It is perhaps because of all of this that I am mentally prepared for the next step of ePublishing, the quiet, stealthy equivalent of seeing my work in Bookers or Waterstones. I dare to touch my toe to the chill waters of public consumption and say to them ‘nibble on that,’ whilst thinking ‘pleasedon’tbite, pleasedon’tbite!’
The journey from ‘I could write a book’ through ‘could I write a book?’ to ‘I have written a book’ is moving forward. Who was it that said; ‘The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’?
But where is your journey taking you? How far have you already come?
Have you been inspired by stories of success or sheer determination?
Have you watched others climbing the ladder towards success, feeling that your journey was headed the same way?
Do you feel (particularly with ePublishing opening up new possibilities) that the impossible is now possible?
Share your story with us. Tell us where your journey is taking you.
Write on – and encourage others to do the same in every way that you can.
jumpingfromcliffs
Sep 19, 2012 @ 10:37:24
It was Lao-tzu I do believe (cockiness alert!)
I absolutely believe that the future is now wide open compared to the button-down past of publishing tyrrany. Anyone can now publish their work (whether good or bad). Will that mean more bad books on ereaders around the globe? yes, of course it will, but it’s still the reading public who get to decide which is which. If even one person likes a book, that’s worthwhile I’d say. If people think a self-published eBook is no good, it will languish quietly on the electronic shelves.
The flipside of this is that books which would otherwise get rejected time and time again can see the light of day and fight their own corner. I have a very good friend (another writer) who recently self-published his first novel in both e- and paperback formats. You cant beat the excitement of having your own book in your hands and self-publishing is making that possible for everyone.
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Andrew Toynbee
Sep 19, 2012 @ 11:15:17
It rather feels like a dovecote (filled with aspiring authors) has had its doors opened to the air and allowed everyone and anyone with creativity to explode into the world in a flurry.
We’ve been freed!
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Anne Orchard
Sep 18, 2012 @ 18:25:43
Hi Andrew, some of those shows I enjoy, others not, but I take your point about the journey. The part I find encouraging on mine is that even though I have been away from writing for a little while, it is possible to get re-inspired, re-focussed and out there once again. And remember that it is supposed to be fun, too, which I hope at least some of the contestants on these shows are able to do as well.
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Pat
Sep 17, 2012 @ 16:45:24
Cannot disagree with you more on this one.
Cannot abide what I consider to be cruel television. Dumping poor unsuspecting creatures into the thick of something. And I know they volunteer. But even the so-called celebrities are deluded into believing they are able to cope.
I find it all cringe-worthy and I refuse to watch most of it.
Like Australian MasterChef, where they tend to truly prepare the contestants for what they will face. Like the Great British Bake Off, where the heats are held behind closed doors and we don’t have to watch too many people do too many awful things.
But otherwise, I retreat to the planner and away from Saturday evening drivel.
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Andrew Toynbee
Sep 17, 2012 @ 17:19:15
I agree that these people get used by the corporations for entertainment value at their expense.
However, the post was intended towards those who succeed rather than those who are left behind – and I’m not promoting thse shows by any means, rather I am amazed by the fact that I watch them at all and analysing the underlying reason for it – and following the journey of those who knuckle down, persist, bounce back and fight to win.
Yes, it is entertainment for the masses on an industrial scale and we would all do well to be more productive with our time. I just can’t help but see a parallel within. 🙂
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Pat
Sep 17, 2012 @ 17:37:17
I see your point, but can’t bring myself to watch.
Nasty comments, nasty people, deluded people, not to mention all the negativity.
No, sorry, not what I want to introduce to my home.
🙂
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Andrew Toynbee
Sep 18, 2012 @ 06:56:15
There was never any need to. This was simply an observation on my own progress and an unconscious connection.
You might know of other instances where people gain confidence one step at a time. This can occur within books we’ve read, in friends we’ve known as well as within the media world. It’s a journey we’re all sharing. Even children experience this as they explore the world, growing, learning through trial and error – until they suddenly become teenagers and know everything.
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Pat
Sep 18, 2012 @ 08:41:22
You’re probably right.
I just shudder at the whole idea and wonder why their friends don’t tell them when they’re awful.
You get mothers saying how their little darlings have always sung so wonderfully when they have voices like corncrakes on gin and cigarettes.
I know what you mean about growth through trial and error, I just wish some of them would stick their heads under blankets and do their growing there, rather than in front of x million viewers.
🙂
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Pat
Sep 18, 2012 @ 09:02:49
By the way, I have not forgotten your very kind Reader Appreciation award to me – I just thought I would leave it a while before I translated it into fact as a post.
(That way, I might even turn the tables and give it back….!) Seriously though, I do appreciate it and will post later in the week.:-)
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Andrew Toynbee
Sep 18, 2012 @ 09:15:37
Pat
There’s never enough time, is there? I’ve still to reply to a Beautiful Blogger Award nom…
🙂
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Pat
Sep 18, 2012 @ 09:23:30
Time? What’s that?
I’m supposed to be doing the day job – have an exhibition in October and at the moment not much to exhibit.
More midnight oil…
🙂
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