Comments on: “Shame isn’t for writers. You have to be shameless.” – Philip Roth

By: Wally

Wally — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 19:33:11 +0000

In reply to Mark Permann. Thanks for sharing the quote, Mark, especially the last sentence, most of us reading this page need to know that we have a lot of company in that feeling. I think it applies to anyone writing on any level, who tries to do the best that he/she can and not just always accept whatever comes at the beginning of something new. I know that it does to me.

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Thu, 31 May 2018 13:43:46 +0000

In reply to Jeanette.

Great point, Jeanette.
Thanks,
Tony

By: Jeanette

Jeanette — Sat, 26 May 2018 22:58:45 +0000

The only real shame would be in denying your true feelings and backing away from what is a universal human experience. Expressing these emotions brings solace to others who feel a little less lonely in the world when they hear your songs.

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Fri, 25 May 2018 03:45:16 +0000

In reply to David Herman.

David Herman, taking it all the way back to the roots! Excellent.
Thanks,
Tony

By: David Herman

David Herman — Fri, 25 May 2018 02:41:10 +0000

Thanks. That was great!! It expresses perfectly
(if not shamelessly) the perpetual dilemma of being a songwriter
and performer who would probably not choose this path if there wasn’t a deep seated need to expose a vulnerable side of ourselves. From my experience it can be both frightening to be so ‘naked’ in public but at the same time liberating especially when you may be harboring the fear that if people know who you really are you could be rejected or even ostracized. I think it even touches on an existential dilemma from back when humans were living in tribes when being ostracized from your tribe meant you would be sent out into the wilderness alone and you’d would probably die. I think this is where the fear really comes from.

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Thu, 24 May 2018 18:23:54 +0000

In reply to Mark Permann. Thanks, Mark. Great quote; so true. TC

By: Mark Permann

Mark Permann — Thu, 24 May 2018 16:43:32 +0000

“Someday I hope to put all my ‘writing shame’ behind me…”

I don’t think you will, Tony, but that’s not a bad thing, it’s just *the* thing, itself. I will meet your Philip Roth inspiration with one of my own, which I heard in the New York Times interview from about 10 years ago and transcribed for my journal:

“I never feel the master of what I’m doing, certainly not when I’m beginning something. If I’ve been working on something for two years, in the last few months I feel the master of it, it’s a wonderful feeling. But in the opening months, the first 8 or 10 months, I feel lost, uncertain… the reason is this book has never been written before. Even though I’ve been a writer before, I’ve never written this book before.”

You can replace “this book” with this song, or this expression of sentiment.

All the best!
Mark