Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity, expanded ed.
by Ray Bradbury
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Joshua Odell Editions (Santa Barbara, California): 1989. Trade Paperback: 154 pages. ISBN-10: 1-877741-09-4 ISBN-13: 978-1877741098 Suggested retail price: $18.95 11.95 (US) Tags: philosophy; Writing; Zen Tactical strength: [6/10] |
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The essays in this collection focus on Bradbury's personal philosophy about writing and how he developed this philosophy. Because the essays first appeared in other published sources, the essays often repeat the same messages and stories. This repetition, although often boring, does not diminish the overall message.
Bradbury believes that good writing comes from writers who can release their subconscious and can allow the truth (the way the writer feels) to come from within. He states a three part process for writing: work, relax, don't think. Through work, the writer put the words on the paper; the only way to build experience. "Quantity gives experience. From experience alone can quality come" (123). With experience, writers can relax since they no longer worry about the processes that puts thoughts onto paper. "Don't think" means not to analyze what is coming from within, but to write without self-consciousness. Each of these -- work, relax, don't think -- are interconnected. By working, one can learn to relax and not think. By not thinking, once can relax and work more effectively, and so forth.
This ties in to Zen philosophy, where only by not searching for the ultimate truth, can the truth be found. According to Zen beliefs, only one "whose mind is liberated and illuminated by transcendental wisdom can attain mental tranquility, fearlessness, and spontaneity, whereby [one] can engage in any art or sport without worrying about gains, pleasures, victory, or defeat" (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1970, p. 957). This is also Bradbury's goal: to write powerfully from within without concern for money or criticism.
Bradbury's procedure isn't new and has been advocated by many writers through the ages. In the sf genre, Orson Scott Card similarly follows and promotes this type of writing method -- writing a first draft without concern for spelling or even consistency. Bradbury implies this is the only successful method of becoming a good writer, ignoring the many writers that carefully plan their work and slowly proceed from their plan in carefully measured stages. Unlike other writers who have advocated planning and rewriting, Bradbury never mentions rewriting or editing a story. In fact, he often tells of pulling pages out of his typewriter and putting them in the mail (usually followed by a sale). Bradbury may be such a creative genius that he never rewrites his material, but this flies in the face of advice from hundreds of writers.
Zen in the Art of Writing is an interesting examination of Ray Bradbury's belief that implementing some Zen philosophy leads to better writing. As one of the great writers of the 20th century, we certainly should pay attention to his thoughts, but we should also remember that he presents only a self-examination that may not serve many other writers.
