I was sick the first time I read in *Wise Blood*. Spent the afternoon in bed, reading. (I think I was 17 or 18.) It so disturbed me that I IMMEDIATELY read the book again, to get it out of my system. Not sure if my violent reaction was due to my illness. Whatever the case, the re-read did the trick.
I've grown to respect Flannery, but she's not on my re-read list. I have my own demons that make stories like hers difficult for me to inhabit. But I'm grateful for her influence - in your life and in others'.
As for that woman who rebuked you, I have no polite things to say. I bet God had a chuckle over that ridiculous comment. (What will she say when she meets him and he gently points out that he himself authored a plethora of unsavory characters?)
This so greatly encourages me to keep at it with writing—thank you!
I am so grateful for your work, Kori, and for your honesty and conviction as you pursue it. Also, how fun to read about Flannery the way I feel about her sass, genius, and conviction❤️🥰.
I am grateful for how you have helped me see the light seeping through the cracks in Flannery's stories, Kori. The quote from Bruce C. Is exactly suited. Keep kickin'!
Flannery O'Connor may have been enamoured with peacocks because they were a symbol of early Christianity. However, I believe the more likely reason is that the peacock is also a symbol of pride and vanity, something that most of her characters (and us human beings) are crippled with and therefore in need of the grace of God.
Kori, I love this blog post. It's so well-written. I've noticed that writers of dark fiction often have suffered as well. That's why they can recreate suffering in startling way.
Flannery O'Connor shared the same anger as I do at the self-righteous, including those whom I write about.
This really resonated with me, Kori. My primary medium is songwriting, and I'm often drawn to darker, grittier songs (both as a writer and a listener). Outlaws, losers, cheaters, drunks, discouraged people, and so on often make appearances - alongside some brighter, happier songs as well :) I don't think any of the stories I tell in my songs are gratuitous, but I've definitely written a few songs that made people in my family and friend circle joke, "Wow, you have a dark side we never knew about!"
In fact, I was recently offered the chance to use our church's activity building as a concert venue, but I ultimately decided to hold the show at a different location because while I don't think there's anything *wrong* or un-glorifying to God in my music, I knew that playing in a church venue would bring particular expectations for some people about what kinds of music ought to be played there, or what kinds of music I ought to be making in general. "What's Tim, the deacon/Sunday School teacher/praise band member doing singing those kinds of songs? I thought he was 'sposed to be singin' for the Lord!"
First time reader and commenter here. I went to college with Kori before I got an M Div and landed in Cincinnati teaching/playing music and doing some progressive church communications.
I know this struggle! It's taken me a while to get the confidence to release darker, sadder music for a variety of reasons. I feel a conflict between "personal brands" - as a semi-public figure as a teacher and church staffer, vs. just wanting to be an artist and make whatever the hell I want. I'm slowly realizing it's not all or nothing- I can be selective on what I share where, sometimes polishing rough edges isn't selling out but makes the art better, and sometimes the people who support you / align with taste will surprise you.
Some of my favorite music is the late great Elliott Smith and his imitator Alex G, who actually kind of made a recent Jesus Juke while maintaining the edgy/bewildering aspects of his songwriting. I should probably be revering Sufjan more than the little bit I do ;)
I was sick the first time I read in *Wise Blood*. Spent the afternoon in bed, reading. (I think I was 17 or 18.) It so disturbed me that I IMMEDIATELY read the book again, to get it out of my system. Not sure if my violent reaction was due to my illness. Whatever the case, the re-read did the trick.
I've grown to respect Flannery, but she's not on my re-read list. I have my own demons that make stories like hers difficult for me to inhabit. But I'm grateful for her influence - in your life and in others'.
As for that woman who rebuked you, I have no polite things to say. I bet God had a chuckle over that ridiculous comment. (What will she say when she meets him and he gently points out that he himself authored a plethora of unsavory characters?)
This so greatly encourages me to keep at it with writing—thank you!
I am so grateful for your work, Kori, and for your honesty and conviction as you pursue it. Also, how fun to read about Flannery the way I feel about her sass, genius, and conviction❤️🥰.
I am grateful for how you have helped me see the light seeping through the cracks in Flannery's stories, Kori. The quote from Bruce C. Is exactly suited. Keep kickin'!
Flannery O'Connor may have been enamoured with peacocks because they were a symbol of early Christianity. However, I believe the more likely reason is that the peacock is also a symbol of pride and vanity, something that most of her characters (and us human beings) are crippled with and therefore in need of the grace of God.
Kori, I love this blog post. It's so well-written. I've noticed that writers of dark fiction often have suffered as well. That's why they can recreate suffering in startling way.
Flannery O'Connor shared the same anger as I do at the self-righteous, including those whom I write about.
This really resonated with me, Kori. My primary medium is songwriting, and I'm often drawn to darker, grittier songs (both as a writer and a listener). Outlaws, losers, cheaters, drunks, discouraged people, and so on often make appearances - alongside some brighter, happier songs as well :) I don't think any of the stories I tell in my songs are gratuitous, but I've definitely written a few songs that made people in my family and friend circle joke, "Wow, you have a dark side we never knew about!"
In fact, I was recently offered the chance to use our church's activity building as a concert venue, but I ultimately decided to hold the show at a different location because while I don't think there's anything *wrong* or un-glorifying to God in my music, I knew that playing in a church venue would bring particular expectations for some people about what kinds of music ought to be played there, or what kinds of music I ought to be making in general. "What's Tim, the deacon/Sunday School teacher/praise band member doing singing those kinds of songs? I thought he was 'sposed to be singin' for the Lord!"
First time reader and commenter here. I went to college with Kori before I got an M Div and landed in Cincinnati teaching/playing music and doing some progressive church communications.
I know this struggle! It's taken me a while to get the confidence to release darker, sadder music for a variety of reasons. I feel a conflict between "personal brands" - as a semi-public figure as a teacher and church staffer, vs. just wanting to be an artist and make whatever the hell I want. I'm slowly realizing it's not all or nothing- I can be selective on what I share where, sometimes polishing rough edges isn't selling out but makes the art better, and sometimes the people who support you / align with taste will surprise you.
Some of my favorite music is the late great Elliott Smith and his imitator Alex G, who actually kind of made a recent Jesus Juke while maintaining the edgy/bewildering aspects of his songwriting. I should probably be revering Sufjan more than the little bit I do ;)
Thanks for chiming in, Nick! I’m a big Sufjan fan. I’ll definitely need to check out Alex G now :)