A Big Deal

I have received three books from publicists recently about T. S. Eliot and/or The Wasteland. Apparently, 2022 marks the hundredth anniversary of that iconic modernist poem. I was a huge Eliot fan as a young man. I discovered him when I turned eighteen, and after reading The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, I actually said aloud, “Oh, you can do that.” My writing literally changed that day. There was something about the combination of his clarity, musicality, and unpretentious philosophy that allowed me to quit trying to so hard to be an impressive writer.

I didn’t know at that time what a big deal Eliot was in the literary world. I just knew I liked his poetry. Actually, not all of it. I found The Wasteland impenetrable. So, I ignored it. Eventually, I learned it was considered the Greatest And Most Important Poem Of The Twentieth Century. I decided I better try reading it again. I still didn’t like it. I did like the title very much, however. The title stayed with me because sometimes life felt like a wasteland to me and I was glad someone had written a poem about this phenomenon even if I couldn’t get into it.

I was at a conference recently talking to a romance writer who had published thirteen novels but felt a bit like a failure because she didn’t spend enough time on social media like a good romance writer should. Maybe her sales would be better if she did? Somehow, it being a writers’ conference, the subject of Eliot came up.

“I know he’s a great writer and all . . .,” she began.

“Except you don’t like him, do you?” I said.

She shook her head.

“Then he’s not great. To you. You don’t have to call him great just because I like him and a bunch of a literary types like him. He’s just a guy who wrote some poetry.”

I hope she either learns to love using social media or quits trying. I also don’t care whether she ever gives Eliot another read. I used to think it would be a good idea if everyone liked what I liked. I always felt so good when I was reading what I liked or hearing what I liked. Doesn’t everyone want to feel that good? It turns out they do. We all do, and how quickly life becomes a wasteland when we try to find that pleasure where others think we should.

If you like the ideas and perspectives expressed here, feel free to contact me about individual coaching and group workshops.

Everyone Has What It Takes: A Writer’s Guide to the End of Self-Doubt
You can find William at: williamkenower.com