Why Is This Good? episode 013: "How to Become a Writer" by Lorrie Moore

Summary

In this episode of 'Why is This Good' podcast by Naples Writers Workshop, Christine, Rob, and John discuss Lori Moore's short story 'How to Become a Writer.' John introduces the story, which reignited his passion for short stories and influenced his teaching syllabus. The narrative, told in the second person, humorously chronicles the protagonist's journey as a writer, facing rejection and self-doubt. The hosts appreciate the story's unique structure, the use of second person to create intimacy, and its message about the persistence required in writing. They also touch on the story's commentary on the creative writing process and the value of self-deprecating humor in literature.

Takeaways

• 📚 The podcast 'Why is this good' is hosted by Christine and features discussions on literature, with a focus on short stories.
• 👤 John introduces 'How to become a writer' by Lori Moore, a story that reignited his interest in short stories and influenced his teaching syllabus.
• 🕊️ The story is a humorous take on the journey of becoming a writer, using second-person narrative to engage the reader.
• 🤔 The narrative style is described as 'second person mock comparative voice', parodying self-improvement manuals, which adds a layer of self-deprecating humor.
• 👩‍🏫 The story reflects on the challenges faced by writers, including rejection and the struggle to be taken seriously, which resonates with many writers.
• 📖 The discussion highlights the story's lack of traditional plot, focusing instead on character development and the writer's journey.
• 🤷‍♀️ The main character, Francie, is portrayed as persistently pursuing her writing despite the lack of external validation or success.
• 📝 The use of second person narrative is analyzed for its effectiveness in creating intimacy and孤独感, reflecting the writer's isolated creative process.
• 🎨 The story is seen as an encouragement for aspiring writers to continue creating, despite the subjective nature of artistic success.
• 🏆 The podcast concludes that the story's strength lies in its unique narrative voice and its exploration of the writer's internal world.

Q & A

What is the title of the story discussed in the podcast?

The title of the story discussed is 'How to Become a Writer' by Lori Moore.

Why did John choose to include 'How to Become a Writer' in his syllabus?

John chose to include 'How to Become a Writer' because it was a memorable story that resonated with him and got him back into reading short stories. It also inspired him to build a syllabus around it for a class he taught.

What is unique about the narrative style of 'How to Become a Writer'?

The narrative style of 'How to Become a Writer' is unique because it is written in the second person, which is less common and creates an intimate and direct address to the reader.

What is the main character's struggle in the story?

The main character's struggle in the story is her journey to become a writer, despite facing rejections and not fitting into the conventional expectations of what a writer's life should be.

How does the story explore the theme of self-deprecation?

The story explores the theme of self-deprecation through the main character's humorous yet critical view of her own writing journey, highlighting the challenges and failures she experiences along the way.

What is the significance of the story's ending?

The significance of the story's ending lies in the main character's acceptance of her identity as a writer, despite the hardships and the lack of external validation, symbolizing a personal triumph over her struggles.

Why does the main character continue to pursue writing despite the challenges?

The main character continues to pursue writing because it is her passion and her identity, even though she faces financial struggles and a lack of recognition in her career.

How does the story comment on the creative writing process?

The story comments on the creative writing process by showing the main character's perseverance and self-reflection, suggesting that writing is a deeply personal and often solitary endeavor.

What role does humor play in the story?

Humor plays a significant role in the story, as it allows the main character to address her failures and challenges in a light-hearted way, making the narrative engaging and relatable.

How does the second person narrative enhance the story's message?

The second person narrative enhances the story's message by creating a sense of intimacy and directness, making the reader feel complicit in the main character's journey and struggles, thus amplifying the impact of her experiences.

What is the podcast's overall opinion on Lori Moore's writing style?

The podcast speakers appreciate Lori Moore's writing style, particularly her use of self-deprecating humor and the second person narrative, which they find engaging and well-suited to the story's themes.