Back in the day, Monty Python did a sketch called Novel Writing, in which Michael Palin provided ongoing commentary as Thomas Hardy wrote his new novel.

Whether he was (note to self: try to avoid the obvious cliche here) taking a page (note to self: d’oh!) from Python or not, Pulitzer Prize Winning author Robert Olen Butler went Hardy one better. Butler is Eppes Professor of English at Florida State University, and back in November, he wrote a short story in front of a webcam for the whole world to see. The entire 17-session act of creation, titled Inside Creative Writing was broadcast on the Internet, along with Butler’s commentary describing his process.

Now, sure, watching someone write – even a Pulitzer Prize winner – might sound like a sure cure for insomnia. And, it is mostly. In fact, at times it’s almost absurdly comical to watch Butler typing away on his keypad while classical music plays in the background. One is compelled to keep watching, yet one is also struck with how ridiculous it is to waste a perfectly fine afternoon watching someone type. It’s just like JennyCam, but different. Very, very different.

Still, I really like what Butler has to say here (click the Real Audio link) about what inspired him to begin this project. He talks about how the Internet is leading to a shared experience of life, to, as he calls it, the unveiling of the moment-to-moment experience of people’s private lives. Butler postulates that the Internet, then, may be giving way to a new art form.

This is interesting to contemplate. I don’t know if the idea of watching the creative process will catch on as the next big thing, but having such programs available could be a tremendous boon to future generations.

One of the things I think my generation suffers from is unrealistic expectations. We expect that novelists, for example, are a class above us, something beyond what we can attain. Butler shows us that novelists struggle and sweat and rewrite and rewrite and rewrite and rewrite sentences, and that it takes 17 90-minute sessions to write a short story. And, sure, it takes talent, but I’ve always thought that was in far more abundant supply than self-confidence.

If nothing else, projects like these can help students of the arts see the real work involved in creation. Perhaps that will encourage more to try. And perhaps more folks will explore the possibilities of this new medium.

Thanks to the fabulous Danny G for leading me to the link.

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Friday, March 12th, 2004 @ 4:09 pm Arts Matters
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