May 30, 2005 11:59 AM
What makes a real writing contest?
Marla recently started a writing contest: Calling All Intellectuelles for "evangelical women who are secretly C.S. Lewis wannabes" offering as bait membership in seven-woman team blog called "Intellectuelle."
Marla had always referred to me as a mentor, although in retrospect I don't know why since she never took any of my advice :)
- Since Marla deleted my concerns about her contest, and since there has been a lot of misunderstanding among her followers, leading them to take swipes at women who are "insecure" and "afraid of competition" (pretty darn funny considering my record)
and
- Since this has stirred up a lot in me about blogging and traditional publication (some I wrote on a few hours ago),
I want to go on record about a few things:
1) A person who is secure in his or her intelligence does not have to look for ways to prove it by seeking a label of Intellectual or Intellectuelle. These are best bestowed by others.
2) Competition is healthy and works to bring out the best in people. I know from experience as I have won several Amy Awards, for example - and now teach others how to do it too. However, it's important to be honest about the premise of the competition as well as one's motivation. The Amy Awards were established to glorify God, not to pander to writers' egos.
3) Christianity and elitism are not compatible, as scripture constantly reminds us: "the foolish things," "the least of these."
4) Women have a different kind of intelligence than men - one more inclined to discover spiritual truths in the real world as opposed to the abstract and theoretical. That is where their writing shines - as can be seen in almost every entry so far in Marla's contest. I wouldn't consider any of Marla's contest entries to be intellectual, although there are some that demonstrate good writing.
5) Women who hear any description of male/female differences as a putdown - well, they need help and encouragment to find more security in their very, very real strengths as women.
6) Jesus was not an intellectual. He did not hang out with theologians.
7) For an intelligent person - male or female - blogging can be dangerous territory. No feedback from those with more experience and wisdom. Praise and flattery from people without discernment. Stirring up controversy to gain a larger following as people come to battle for the last word, often with great incivility. A large following may lead to arrogance. It's tempting to delete anyone with questions or legitimate criticism (iron sharpens iron), and to encourage your sycophants loyal fans to dump on them too.
I've been planning on writing a book about writing next year. Marla, you thanked me for stirring up some good material as you defended your position. Allow me to thank you in return!
But, really. A writing contest among mostly unproven writers judged by mostly unproven writers - does the democratic process ever really yield or reveal the best?
Reminds me of something Erasmus once said:
"In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king."
Comments
Barbara - I'm really trying to understand where you're coming from, but I feel like you're being way too hard on Marla. I sent an "entry" into her "contest", not to prove my intelligence or to acquire the label of "intellectual", but because the seven-woman-team-blog sounds FUN to me. From what I've drawn from Marla's explanations, the team blog certainly sounds like it is being organized to glorify God...Christian women discussing their faiths and beliefs...do you really think she has organized this contest to build herself up?
I suppose it all depends on how you define "intellectual", too. Is it just the name of the contest that you have a problem with? If the contest was titled "A Woman's Thoughts on God", would it be more acceptable?
Posted by: Jana | May 30, 2005 6:58 PM
As to her motivation: Perhaps
As to the title: Perhaps.
Words mean things, and real writers are very precise with their words, so the title actually says a lot about the motivation.
Posted by: barbara | May 30, 2005 7:15 PM
I am another whose comment was deleted by Ms. Swoffer.
1) I agree with Barbara: if you're a true intellectual, your attention is somewhere other than labeling yourself one.
2) Also, most parents of children with cognitive disabilites know that IQ tests are notoriously unreliable indicators of a person's actual ability. They have been misused against both minority subcultures and people with disabilities. The results have been a painful history of repression for large numbers of people. Using IQ terminology in a Christian "contest", as Ms. Swoffer does, does not promote peace, unity, or brotherhood.
When Ms. Swoffer was reproved by Barbara, instead of being sensitive to the mother of a child with a disability, she chose to delete her post.
I am all for developing the Christian mind. However, I believe, in its highest form, it's tempered by love and humility.
Posted by: Julana | May 31, 2005 2:30 PM
Julana - I read Barbara's comments on Marla's blog before they were deleted, and I believe you are mistaken if you think Marla was being insensitive to the "mother of a child with a disability". If Barbara had issues with the contest, she should have taken them to Marla privately.
Posted by: Jana | May 31, 2005 3:05 PM
Jana --
I disagree. My comments were carefully and lovingly written. The fact that they needed to be made publicly was affirmed when I received emails later from people who had the same reservations about the incompatibility of elitism with our faith. C'mon - don't you think it's just a little pretentious? I think C.S. Lewis would roll over in his grave :)
Posted by: barbaracurtis | May 31, 2005 3:19 PM
I have been silently watching this all unfold and the judgements hurled (from both) are most un-Christlike.
I understand the bulk of your readership is probably Christian women. That said, there are going to be people who are seeking who may happen upon your blog and are completely turned away by the attitude you have taken against a sister in Christ. I ask you in all sincerity, what kind of message do these posts serve? And more importantly, how are you honoring Christ through this?
Just a thought.
Oh, and the little smiles don't make the nasty comments any nicer. :-)
Posted by: Maegan | June 1, 2005 2:19 AM
Oh, one more thing...
"Women who hear any description of male/female differences as a putdown - well, they need help and encouragment to find more security in their very, very real strengths as women."
I completely disagree. Women need to find more security in their GOD, not in their strengths as women.
Posted by: Maegan | June 1, 2005 2:22 AM
Maegan -
I do not believe we are supposed to stop discussion/disagreement/confrontation because we are Christians! I spent 37 years as a nonChristian and it was that holier-than-thou attitude that actually kept me away. Christians are real people with real passions. I happen to believe that's okay.
I wouldn't by any stretch of the imagination consider my comments "nasty" - but your use of that word makes yours so.
As to your second point, you are absolutely right. I stand corrected.
Posted by: barbaracurtis | June 1, 2005 7:39 AM
Barbara, nowhere did I say you "were supposed to stop". Nowhere. It is the tone that I have a problem with. The other problem I have, is instead of dealing with this in a private way, you took it public. Now, I realize that Marla did that first, so don't bother with that arguement. I don't care, nor do I believe that matters. I believe you can discuss/disagree/confront without being so judgemental. Judgement, to use Julana's words, does not promote peace, unity, or brotherhood."
Obviously I disagree about your comments being nasty, and I was trying to make a point.
When you are trying to debate something, hurling insults and judgements do nothing to strengthen your arguement.
I am a passionate person. I get that. However, I can be passionate about something without being high and mighty. I guess what I don't understand is why this contest such a thorn in your side? Live and let live. Or is just that you didn't think of it first?
Julana: I am not Marla's defender, there are many times I disagree with her also. Can we please keep this a public dialogue? Thank you. Also, to use your words.
Posted by: Maegan | June 1, 2005 12:08 PM
meagan: I think you'll find a lot of answers to your problems in my two blogs this morning.
We obviously are differently wired human beings. I'm not asking you to conform to my way of doing things and I'd appreciate your understanding if I don't conform to yours.
Your comment "Or is just that you didn't think of it first?" is ridiculous and very revealing.
Posted by: barbaracurtis | June 1, 2005 12:39 PM
