THE LAST WORD

Kathryn Burnett on how lockdown unexpectedly confirmed that certain myths about writers just will not die.

Being a writer is such a glorious, romantic notion. There you are, typing away in your book-lined apartment or sponsored Tuscan retreat, tinkering with words, wonderful words combined in a fashion that will no doubt find favour when released into the world. You spend your days being creative, or talking about being creative in interesting cafes and your nights alone being exquisitely tortured by artistic insecurity. And the company you keep – well – it’s erudite and witty innit? Except, as anyone who works in the arts knows, the reality of creating anything is somewhat more grinding and distinctly unromantic. During lockdown it became apparent to me that a handful of irritating beliefs about writers are alive and well. Let’s start with this one – that ‘Writers Are Naturally Solitary Creatures’. It was incredible how many people said to me, “well, you’ll be fine during lockdown, you’re used to being at home on your own.” And these are people who have actually met me! Sure. Except for the whole world tipping on its head, paid gigs toppling like dominoes and oh, yeah, being a human being. Totally fine. The stereotype of ‘writer alone in garret’ is still seemingly very popular. But have you met many writers? And if so, where did you meet them? Was it out and about, socialising by any chance? Most of the writers I know (and we are talking triple figures here) spent a sizable chunk of the lockdown parked on social media and eagerly organising Zoom drinks at every opportunity. Which leads me to myth #2 – ‘Writers Thrive On Pain In Their Lives to Be Creative’. Oh my good Lord! Or just maybe they have this other thing called an imagination. Pain, like poverty and stress, is not actually conducive to productive, creative work. I know a couple of folks who found the stopthe-clocks nature of lockdown terrific for their creative productivity, but not many. And I was certainly not one of them. In a recent Auckland Writers Festival interview esteemed writer Neil Gaiman said it used to be that the writing or the “making up place” used to be a refuge from reality but, “it has definitely been harder over the last four months to take refuge in that place.” I’m with you, Neil, it can be challenging to get into creative flow when shit is going down. Or put another way – as a playwright friend said to me during lockdown: “I feel like I’m

IT CAN BE CHALLENGING TO GET INTO CREATIVE FLOW WHEN SHIT IS GOING DOWN.

typing with fingers made of concrete.” To which I replied: “Exactly. Well put.” The other thing that happened during lockdown was a torrent of well-meaning people, who don’t work in the arts, offering up ideas for things I should work on since I “probably wasn’t busy at the moment.” I’m assuming this happened because people had time on their hands and believed fervently in another myth: that ‘Writers Want To Be Given Ideas’. Sorry to disappoint, but they do not. Your support, your feedback, your patronage, your keys to the bach and your undying loyalty – yes. But not your ideas. We tend to have plenty of our own. Maybe I’m just an ungrateful curmudgeon, but I did not find people suggesting I cook up an idea about being in lockdown during a global pandemic overly helpful. But again, I can see how this confusion has arisen. Because perhaps one of the most enduring myths about writers is that ‘Their Work Is Autobiographical’. Okay, so some writers get some ideas from their actual life. Of course we do. All creative people draw on their lived experience. But again – sorry to sound so pissy – but there’s this thing called an imagination. However I did see a call out for short plays about quarantine and Covid-19 – so what do I know? I noted that they were “to be written in a funny and upbeat manner.” Fat chance, I thought somewhat uncharitably (see myth #1 and #2.) So did I rub up against any deeply held beliefs about writers that have a basis in fact? Well, yes. ‘Writers Like to Drink.’ I’m just going to leave that one there. And there is another myth that will not die – because ...let’s just say it’s a bit true. ‘That Writers Will Write About You’ aka ‘Writers Will Use What You Say in Their Work.’ Yes, sometimes we hear or see something that we consider found art. We are observant creatures after all. On the other hand sometimes the things you say aren’t as interesting or unique or scandalous as you think. But what I can tell you is that watching how people act during a crisis is like a masterclass in character development. And as I sat alone in my lofty, book-lined apartment – I was indeed taking note.

ABOVE: Kathryn Burnett at State of Our Stage hui, Te Haukāinga, Wellington, 2018. Image: Philip Merry.