Thanks Matt for a well-researched article you clearly spent much time thinking through; it snared me as the "one Substack article among people I subscribe to I will read thoroughly before breakfast."
This is an observation, not a criticism per se because I imagine I would say the same of myself, but I notice only one female among the seven. There is something else to be written at some point about how this is often the case among readers both male and female (in that we gravitate to our own gender), but it requires more self-analysis than my comment! It does open up a question as to whether a life post like this should offer some affirmative action, or just allow that "this is how it was (but maybe not how it should have been)"?
I also note that all your influences are American. (Am I right??) Perhaps that makes sense given your nationality, but speaking as an expat Brit, my influences would reflect my roots more: George Orwell would have to be in there (forget his political influence and commentary for a moment, just read his writing!), likely the novelist Iain Banks. And it's almost impossible there would not be a dedicated music journalist in there as well. I've been lucky enough to edit many, including Tony Parsons at his best. I note that all three of those I have named are male, which is why I said my observation was not a criticism of you; on the other hand, in widening my reading scope in recent years while taking a degree, I got to read some incredible semi-fictional writing from women of other countries that stood head-and-shoulders above much of what I have read by non-fiction male writers from the UK and USA. They would not be influences on the writer I became, but certainly could be very high bars for the writer I would wish to be!
Thanks for the thoughtful comment and context Tony. :)
It’s an interesting set of questions to consider and not one I want to reduce to a good/bad binary, because the truth is that we’re all products of our environments and influences in the micro growing up. I didn’t delve into a lot of non-North American writing until I was in my teens and into my early-twenties in some cases, but they were undoubtedly influential over and above the names mentioned here. At some point, I have to cut lists off to keep them manageable to write.
Regarding women writers those invaluable perspectives, what I found in putting this piece together is that I had to separate my shortlist of “favorite authors” when it comes to reading for pleasure from “authors who shaped my critical voice and who aren’t music writers.” The former list would include names like Joan Didion, Toni Morrison, Sloane Crosley, Tian Fey, and Agatha Christie. Brilliant in their own, specific ways, but I can’t say they’ve influenced the work I do here as much as the seven I mentioned.
Fantastic take on your writing’s non-musical influences. Learning moments can be found in the most unexpected places. Thompson was a favorite in the ‘90s. And Bourdain enthralled me with his homegrown travel/food show and books (I still grieve the signed edition I accidentally left on an airplane years ago).
I have experienced writer’s block and watched something as far off topic as an interior design reality show that suddenly made the article’s path crystal clear. The Universe is truly magical!!
You’re exactly right in that you never know where or when you’ll receive the universe’s inspiration signals that cracks your writer’s block open like one of those giant fissures in the earth right before the monsters from another dimension emerge. I need to add more of Bourdain’s books to my physical library ASAP.
Thanks Matt for a well-researched article you clearly spent much time thinking through; it snared me as the "one Substack article among people I subscribe to I will read thoroughly before breakfast."
This is an observation, not a criticism per se because I imagine I would say the same of myself, but I notice only one female among the seven. There is something else to be written at some point about how this is often the case among readers both male and female (in that we gravitate to our own gender), but it requires more self-analysis than my comment! It does open up a question as to whether a life post like this should offer some affirmative action, or just allow that "this is how it was (but maybe not how it should have been)"?
I also note that all your influences are American. (Am I right??) Perhaps that makes sense given your nationality, but speaking as an expat Brit, my influences would reflect my roots more: George Orwell would have to be in there (forget his political influence and commentary for a moment, just read his writing!), likely the novelist Iain Banks. And it's almost impossible there would not be a dedicated music journalist in there as well. I've been lucky enough to edit many, including Tony Parsons at his best. I note that all three of those I have named are male, which is why I said my observation was not a criticism of you; on the other hand, in widening my reading scope in recent years while taking a degree, I got to read some incredible semi-fictional writing from women of other countries that stood head-and-shoulders above much of what I have read by non-fiction male writers from the UK and USA. They would not be influences on the writer I became, but certainly could be very high bars for the writer I would wish to be!
Thanks again,
Tony
Thanks for the thoughtful comment and context Tony. :)
It’s an interesting set of questions to consider and not one I want to reduce to a good/bad binary, because the truth is that we’re all products of our environments and influences in the micro growing up. I didn’t delve into a lot of non-North American writing until I was in my teens and into my early-twenties in some cases, but they were undoubtedly influential over and above the names mentioned here. At some point, I have to cut lists off to keep them manageable to write.
Regarding women writers those invaluable perspectives, what I found in putting this piece together is that I had to separate my shortlist of “favorite authors” when it comes to reading for pleasure from “authors who shaped my critical voice and who aren’t music writers.” The former list would include names like Joan Didion, Toni Morrison, Sloane Crosley, Tian Fey, and Agatha Christie. Brilliant in their own, specific ways, but I can’t say they’ve influenced the work I do here as much as the seven I mentioned.
Cheers!
My favourite Wallace essay: ‘Big Red Son’. Fucking brilliant. Pun intended.
Fantastic take on your writing’s non-musical influences. Learning moments can be found in the most unexpected places. Thompson was a favorite in the ‘90s. And Bourdain enthralled me with his homegrown travel/food show and books (I still grieve the signed edition I accidentally left on an airplane years ago).
I have experienced writer’s block and watched something as far off topic as an interior design reality show that suddenly made the article’s path crystal clear. The Universe is truly magical!!
Thanks @Thea Wood :)
You’re exactly right in that you never know where or when you’ll receive the universe’s inspiration signals that cracks your writer’s block open like one of those giant fissures in the earth right before the monsters from another dimension emerge. I need to add more of Bourdain’s books to my physical library ASAP.