MEDIOCRITY

A series of essays.....

.....as seen through my eyes!



By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

Mediocrity....

isn't, necessarily, the level of achievement we hope to attain when we set out to accomplish something. If our work is deemed mediocre by others, it is possible that we have failed to do our best at the task at hand and, room for improvement is definitely in order. We might agree that 'all things are relative' and understand that comparing one's own work to that of others can be applied to the idea that everything is quantifiable in terms of individual perception or opinion. After all, each of us has a different opinion or viewpoint with regard to everything we see and do, including all topics and subjects.

As writers, we challenge everything we formulate, via words, into stories that we share with all of you. Our method, or system, is to excogitate everyday life as we perceive it to be and secure it with a modicum of truth, the mortar that coherently holds all of the other bits together. To invent an interesting storyline through the written form of improvisation is the ultimate goal of a fiction writer. If we lace our work with personal experiences or historical facts, like a golden shot of 'Jameson' swirled into a mug of strong, black coffee, we connect with our stories on an individual level and hold the reader's hand through time and space. The intent, of course, is to never fall below the line and into the realm of mediocrity.

This intent, with all of its good designs and so forth, is why we unjustly, at times, categorize ourselves as being mediocre. Pressure and fear serve to refrain the deep breaths needed to focus on, have faith in, and believe in the work that we put forth. The lack of creative oxygen can block out the proper words, brush strokes, balance, properly pitched notes, and nearly anything that serves to classify an artist and rank him somewhere between mediocre and great!

The pitfalls of pressure and fear become obvious in the form of 'writer's block,' a profound sense of insecurity, which could lead to addiction (hence my obvious reference to proper Irish Whiskey earlier!!), or depression. Oh, but we are a highly sensitive and anxious group who thrive upon the acknowledgment of others, drink in the compliments, and savor each 'Like' afforded us via social media. We can be spoiled, little brats, and downright pathetic at times, it's true! Nonetheless, when we proficiently create  that memorable masterpiece painting, strum or sing a tune worth hearing over and over again, or write the 'Next Great American Novel' that sells internationally and is translated into numerous foreign languages......whew!!!!, then we will return to our most humble selves. Did I mention a possible movie deal?

Marked by meekness, this is the time we become self-serving entrepreneurs, business men and women who must redefine ourselves in order to promote our work online, by way of social media, and door to door, if need be. Oh, the mighty hatrack is studded with a variety of styles these days as we challenge ourselves with these multiple tasks.

Many artists perform under the guise of being an exuberant personality type, 'Hemingwayesque,' so to speak. Their main interests may include: Enjoying intense experiences, being productive and producing high quality work, using alcohol or drugs for stimulation or relaxation (Again with the Jameson!), traveling and moving to new locations and residences, and being committed to creative work or productivity. When most people fear change, artists tend to anticipate and revel in it. After all, a boisterous celebration and merrymaking can be a good source for creativity. It helps to compensate for the many hours writers lock themselves up in smallish, desk inhabited areas while their imagination runs rampant! We need outlets, too....

I believe that out of the flames of mediocrity rises the mighty Phoenix to begin a new cycle and restore the suffering writer with renewed idealism and hope. Fortunately, this happens more than once in five hundred years!

Making changes, rewriting, reading our words over and over again, rewriting some more, and reading our stories out loud are useful ways of encouraging a writer to become better at his or her craft. If we work long and hard enough, occasionally, our stories are sold and read by the masses. And, sometimes, when you least expect it, our stories are shared by a prominent publication and pushed out into the world to be digested by readers who have yet to hear about you and what you have to offer. Personally, I thank "The France Daily" by My Blogworld for this opportunity. My story, "Memories of a September Wedding Celebration," was highlighted in their Leisure Section this past week. The Link can be found below.

So, is mediocrity such a bad thing if it encourages us to do great things? Does a piece that starts out 'good' become 'great' if we work harder, visualize it to be better and discourage any thoughts of 'only good enough?' This idea crosses my mind every time I sit down at my desk, place my fingertips above the keyboard and begin to work.


Link to "The France Daily" by My Blogworld:
http://paper.li/GoodBlogPosts46/1318466370?edition_id=239fdee0-5861-11e5-ab2e-0cc47a0d15fd



Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved