“Literature that indulges the tastes of the reader is a degraded literature. My goal is to disappoint the usual expectations and inspire new ones.” – Elena Ferrante
Opening Remarks
Another week, another rant from Lit With Charles. I've just returned from a weekend in the immortal city of Rome, where history & literature are forever intertwined in a quasi-imperial relationship. Strolling through the cobbled streets, it's impossible not to be awed by the millennial beauty of the place, and feel the presence of the literary giants who found inspiration in the "Eternal City."
Rome's allure has drawn countless writers, from Henry James to John Keats, who sought the city's rich history & vibrant culture to turbo-charge their creativity. And turbo-charged they were! James captured Rome's essence in The Portrait of a Lady, while Keats, who spent his final months here, found solace and inspiration amid its ancient ruins.
The comparison between Rome and literature is striking: both are eternal, timeless in their essence, yet constantly grappling with the challenge of remaining relevant in a rapidly changing world. Just as Rome evolves (slowly), blending ancient wonders with modern vitality, so too does literature adapt, finding new ways to resonate with each generation. This timeless relevance raises intriguing questions for both Rome and the literary world. How does a city or an art form stay modern while preserving its timeless core? How do they continue to inspire and captivate amid changing tastes and trends?
Zen and the Art of Dealing with Rejection
Most authors are familiar with the sting of having a manuscript rejected. Everyone knows the story of JK Rowling and the twelve rejections of Harry Potter (Harry Potter and the Twelve Rejections does kind of sound like another title in the series). But honestly, that’s nothing compared to what Robert Pirsig had to go through.
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