1.18.2015

"GIRLS" and creativity

I have not written in forever and the reason has much to do with why I am writing now. I've been extremely busy with my "day job" (which by the way is much more than that, it is a career that I'm fortunate to say I really enjoy.) and when I get overwhelmed with all the things I have to do, sometimes I freeze and veg out. In one of these manic episodes, I've started to watch "Girls" from HBO.

I'm not going to go in what the show is about, but fast forward three seasons and now the main character, Hannah, a writer who reluctantly took a "day job" at GQ magazine writing advertorial articles has voluntarily created a situation to force her boss to fire her so she could collect unemployment. I assume, although it wasn't clear in the show, she did that so she could have time to be a "real writer." Throughout the show, Hannah has always struggled to make rent. She's twenty five and single. So, yes, she can be bolder. I supposed now it's the time for her to make bold decisions and give up certain comforts in order to stay in the path that will lead her to accomplish her goals.
Lena Dunham, shot by Terry Richardson

And that got me wondering, despite "Girls" being fiction (not sure how much it's based on real life of creator and writer Lena Dunham -- and I'm not going to research it for this post because it doesn't matter), people who are boldly crazy and spontaneous (maybe even unbalanced) have more chances to create great artistic works achieve success?

Is that the reason some wonderful pieces of writing from regular, working-nine-to-five, abide-by-the-rules folk never get noticed? Because they are not bold enough to act crazy and lend in situations where they meet the right people at the right time?

Most importantly, Hannah, makes a huge deal about not living an "ordinary" life. She embarks in outrageous "adventures" in order to "feel everything" and have material to write about. (She writes personal essays). I know Jules Verne didn't actually journeyed to the center of the Earth to write his book and most people have a well of interesting thoughts that weren't acquired by spending a night snorting cocaine. (something Hannah did to write about it) A few of these people have the discipline to actually learn the craft of writing and tell their story. And only a handpicked number see their story widely read and appreciated it. The common denominator of this process is WORK, a lot of work; something that, apparently, Hannah hasn't learned to value of yet.

The show is entertaining but I'm developing a mild revulsion to Hannah and her self-centered and stereotypical image of a young writer. Her display of "cool" and "hip" youth in New York trying to find themselves is so far-fetched that if it has any reality is based in the singular oddities that might happen in the lives of dozens of people, because if one person acts that way all the time I'd say she's pretty stupid.