I'm trying to get an idea of what we are doing. Much of what I've read on Literary Magazines implies they have to be shocking and new. The Little Mag has to have brave content willing to be martyred for the sake of art. Is that what the Din is supposed to be? I admit I was viewing it as an outlet for NMSU students- a way for us to be published and noticed. If we are not daring and making brave new roads in form will we be discredited as vain?
I personally say bravo if one of us has something groundbreaking up our sleeve but is it so bad if we publish something simply because it was good and evoked mixed emotions from us? Even if it wasn't so daring that we didn't understand it? Are we going to publish something we don't even like because it might be the next greatest thing?
Just wondering out loud.
mixed emotions? hmmm...what does that mean, tonka?
ReplyDeleteYou ask some very intriguing questions. I want to publish something that moves me, Eliot and Pound be damned. As for groundbreaking, it seems to me that "groundbreaking" and "good" (I know that's vague)are ultimately embedded in each other. Something that proves influential to the extent it affects the approach of other writers would seem to have absolute literary merit. I'm simplifying this too much, I know. I simply don't want to be a journal that publishes something because it's the next big thing. Especially if it's not that good.
ReplyDeleteI meant something positive when I said mixed emotions. "Lolita" for example can evoke sympathy and disgust at the same time and i for now applaud authors that can make us experience several feelings at once.
ReplyDeleteJAM I agree, I really want to be moved. As to it being influential in affecting other writers, what do you think the signs are that it will?