There are a few writing quotes that tend to bound around the Instagram and Pinterest communities with wild abandon. Chekov’s “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass” seems to be making the rounds this week, which brings me a lot of joy considering how helpful it is as a “show don’t tell” reminder. 

But a quote I loathe, perhaps more than any other writing quote out there, is William Faulkner’s famous “Read everything--trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it.”

Sir...no. 

I’m not going to spend my time tearing down another author’s work. Every novel is a labor of love, and every labor of love deserves some degree of respect and admiration. What’s more, someone’s “trash” is often another person’s “treasure,” and trash can often be good for the soul (your girl loves an angsty love triangle/rectangle/whatever-shape-you-want-just-give-me-ANGST).

But when it comes to developing craft, I have to disagree with good old Willy...and trust me when I say that I’ve tried seeing things from his side for years and years and years. 

Here’s the thing: “bad” writing does nothing to inspire me. If it sparks anything at all, it’s usually rage: “how in the world did this gain rep? What is it about this story that’s gaining a following? WHY? WHY? WHY?” Perhaps even more enraging? When that bad writing leads to even worse writing that then leads to readers’ obsession with toxic tropes or a fascination with a cliche archetype that floods the market and makes it difficult to find a book that—as the youths say (or said, at one point)—SLAPS (looking at you, sassy, not-like-other-girls-with-a-knife).

Look, Faulkner has some great moments, some lines that truly knock me out. But the man refused editorial advice again and again, which produced confusing narratives, inconsistent characterization, and an entire chapter that, for no reason at all, reads, “My mother is a fish.” So is he the best author to heed when it comes to writing advice? Probably not. 

About two months ago, I read Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet, then proceeded to spend the next two days staring up at my ceiling, mourning the fact that I would never, in a million years, be able to write like her. Her metaphors, her poetic language, her ability to bring me to my knees, all of it left me with a desire to take up my pen and try to produce something half as beautiful. And then I realized it wasn’t about writing like her but taking lessons from her writing and trying to weave those lessons into my own work. I love expressing emotion through physicality, but could I maybe try expressing it more metaphorically? Through thought? Through memory?  Could I find a simple object, like a glove or a whip, and tie that to a character in a way that reveals more about who they are, what they’ve been through? Could I talk about a character’s fear of death—or lack thereof—by discussing how they envision the afterlife? 

Maybe not exactly like O’Farrell. But I could find my own way.

Other authors, like Jess Kidd and Neil Gaiman, have taught me how to more effectively introduce characters (Kidd described a woman as having a “halibut pout,” and I about died of laughter...because how many of us know someone with a halibut pout?). These are the kinds of lessons bad writing cannot teach us. 

Sure, there’s something to be said about “bad” writing and its pacing or its ability to rouse feelings of lust or fear in readers. And that’s all well and good. But if you’re reading something and it’s not inspiring you, don’t listen to Faulkner. Put it down and find something that does. Because to me, “trash” is simply another word for “waste.” And the last thing a writer needs to do is waste their time trudging through the same old, re-packaged garbage. Find something good. Something that makes your heart sing. 

Then, figure out how to take the parts that inspire you and make them your own. 

Read for “fun,” absolutely. But as far as reading trash goes, your time as a writer is more precious than that. I say us it wisely. Use it well. But hey, I’m just one girl…let me know what you think!

Happy Halloween weekend, everyone. Here’s to lots of treats...and maybe a few tricks, too. 

-Taylor