Happy Thanksgiving week, writers!
Writers and readers jumped all over it, calling the list pretentious, outdated, or just plain stupid.
No. 8 in particular drew wrath: "It's doubtful that anyone with an Internet connection at his workplace is writing good fiction." LOL.
Some people claim the list is meant to be satirical. That may be; I've never read Franzen, and I'm unfamiliar with his style and approach.
Satire or not, two of his rules jumped out as worthy of a group discussion, and that's what this week's blog post, "Franzen Folderol," is all about.
The two rules I found curious are:
2. "Fiction that isn't an author's personal adventure into the frightening or the unknown isn't worth writing for anything but money."
6. "The most purely autobiographical fiction requires pure invention. Nobody ever wrote a more autobiographical story than The Metamorphosis."
What do you think Franzen is saying here? And do these rules connect with any of your own writing experiences?
And have a wonderful Turkey Day! If applicable, safe travels.
