The modern novel is considered a work of high art. The popular image of these works starts with a lone author carefully crafting their art in isolation and perfecting a personal vision out of their own genius.
This happens to be quite wrong.
The art of storytelling is as old as humanity. Thousands of years ago, hunters returned to the campfire to entertain their tribe with stories of skill and bravery that were essential to keeping their tribe united and strong. The blind poet Homer would have recounted his epic poems like The Odyssey in front of live audiences, crafting it well in advance but adapting it through each retelling in response to his audience.
Storytelling was, until recently, a kind of performance art. You can still see this practiced today in a pub in Ireland or other parts of the world as writers get up before the crowd and refine, not dictate, their craft.
The difference between the long, proud history of storytelling and the more modern lone genius is the difference between stand-up comedy and a sit-com. One is raw and responsive, the other sanitized and passive.
All published works are assembled by a team of editors, marketers, designers, and other professionals. Before they even get to this stage, an author has usually worked through several drafts of their manuscript, often with a writing coach and readings by a team of other writers who offer suggestions. Nothing is done in isolation. All belief in a lone genius is simply wrong.
As the publishing industry collapses from high overhead and declining sales, more writers are turning to self-publishing to get their work out into the world. They do not have access to the vast team of professionals that refine a work into a complete novel, and it usually shows. Any good writer will tell you how important an editor is, at the very least.
I happen to believe that a better solution to the decline of the publishing industry is to return to the roots of storytelling. Mythnology is an attempt to use the new tools of the internet to bring readers into the process and fill the void that is being left by the exit of the professionals. Without readers, there is not much point in writing at all. Why not put their energy and passion up front in the process?
Mythnology should be considered an experiment. I hope you can see its value and want to be a part of it. If this is successful, a new way for writers to communicate with their audience will be proven – as well a way to make a living as a writer . Hopefully, within a decade the Mythnology experience will appear as quaint and conservative as it currently seems innovative and “out there”.
Thank you for reading and joining the community of Mythnology subscribers. You are what this and the entire craft of writing is all about.
Erik Hare
July 2010
