A shout out to you...yes you.

Wayne K · Mar 11, 2009

I am a genius. Usually people stop reading after I say that but it's true and anyone who knows me will tell you that. The fact is that I'm also modest because I'll follow that by telling you that it was born into me and to this point it's the biggest waste of geniosity in the history of mankind.

I'm editing the second rewrite of my first memoir though and I think it behooves me to let you guys know that it's marvelous and it's tight and it's a work of art.

I owe it all to you guys, I'm not kidding.

In first grade I was reading on a fifth grade level and I loved to take credit for it. But I have four older brothers and I can only do the math and figure that it's my curiousity that makes me what I am. I learn easily, and I learn from asking other people. (no stupid questions and all that)

The time and knowledge you all have been generous enough to share with me has pushed me over the hump, or at least one of them.

I am humbled by teachers.

Those of you who take the time to help others here on AW will never know the effect you have had on me. I thank you. :Cake:

cake for everyone!

Neversage · Mar 11, 2009

Congratulations! Can I have cake too, even though I only started posting yesterday? I'll give you a sparkly semicolon *;*

maestrowork · Mar 11, 2009

I'm also technically a genius (what with IQ tests and all that crap), but on most days I'm just a fool.

It's a good place here.

C.bronco · Mar 11, 2009

Yay Wayne!

NeuroFizz · Mar 11, 2009

I am really happy for you, Wayne, because the revelation of finding a higher level of understanding about any kind of creative activity is a major step. And I know you are a bright guy. However (and this has nothing to do with your abilities), I don’t think “genius” is ever a tag anyone should put on themselves. It’s a tag for others to apply. That’s because genius is not all straight A’s in school and high IQ scores. It’s not a matter of personal evaluation. Most critically, it is (or should be) based on accomplishments. It’s the difference between potential for greatness and accomplished greatness. The two do not always track linearly with IQ scores or other measures of intelligence. And an individual (and his friends and family) is seldom an unbiased observer of the person he/she sees in the mirror. But the point is that even accomplishment has to be judged as extraordinary by someone other than the person doing the accomplishing or its just hand waving. I’ve known or met several people who I would consider geniuses (from science) including three Nobel Award winners. Not one of them would consider themselves geniuses. They would admit that their creativity was built on the backs of all who came before them, but that they were able to recognize unique and novel directions for their creativity (only a part of genius), and they were able to do something about it—they were able to put together a unique way to address those novel directions that advanced their fields (another part of genius). But it wasn’t them who judged the importance of their work to the advancement of their fields, it was their peers. The peers were the ones who evaluated the work of the individuals and proclaimed their work to be genius. So, to me, genius is a term not appropriate for self-application. It requires accomplishment and the critical evaluation of peers, who then can apply the label. Other than that, I am so happy to see your energy and confidence, and your accomplishments to date. I, like others here, have high hopes for you. Show us. Wow us.

And pardon me for being jaded about this. Over the years, we’ve had other people come in here and proclaim their genius in their writing abilities only to disappear from sight without a hint of their existence years later. And it just reinforces that genius shows itself through accomplishments, not through self-proclamation.

dpaterso · Mar 11, 2009

Wait, wouldn't a genius have produced a spectacular first draft that didn't need--

Whoops. <clears throat> Congrats anyway! Progress is a marvellous thing.

-Derek

Wayne K · Mar 11, 2009

NeuroFizz said:
I am really happy for you, Wayne, because the revelation of finding a higher level of understanding about any kind of creative activity is a major step. And I know you are a bright guy. However (and this has nothing to do with your abilities), I don’t think “genius” is ever a tag anyone should put on themselves. It’s a tag for others to apply. That’s because genius is not all straight A’s in school and high IQ scores. It’s not a matter of personal evaluation. Most critically, it is (or should be) based on accomplishments. It’s the difference between potential for greatness and accomplished greatness. The two do not always track linearly with IQ scores or other measures of intelligence. And an individual (and his friends and family) is seldom an unbiased observer of the person he/she sees in the mirror. But the point is that even accomplishment has to be judged as extraordinary by someone other than the person doing the accomplishing or its just hand waving. I’ve known or met several people who I would consider geniuses (from science) including three Nobel Award winners. Not one of them would consider themselves geniuses. They would admit that their creativity was build on the backs of all who came before them, but that they were able to recognize unique and novel directions for their creativity (only a part of genius), and they were able to do something about it—they were able to put together a unique way to address those novel directions that advanced their fields (another part of genius). But it wasn’t them who judged the importance of their work to the advancement of their fields, it was their peers. The peers were the ones who evaluated the work of the individuals and proclaimed their work to be genius. So, to me, genius is a term not appropriate for self-application. It requires accomplishment and the critical evaluation of peers, who then can apply the label. Other than that, I am so happy to see your energy and confidence, and your accomplishments to date. I, like others here, have high hopes for you. Show us. Wow us.

And pardon me for being jaded about this. Over the years, we’ve had other people come in here and proclaim their genius in their writing abilities only to disappear from sight without a hint of their existence years later. And it just reinforces that genius shows itself through accomplishments, not through self-proclamation.

I've been a self loather all my life. I was being slightly facetious with the genius thing and not.
As far as my writing, it's my wife's opinion. I really like it, but she's the one who loves it. When I met her she was in the graduate program at NYU for creative writing, so I'm feeling pretty good about it.

CaroGirl · Mar 11, 2009

To me, the term genius depends on which definition you want to use. There are several. At least one implies it's a measurable commodity that corresponds to the results of a test cooked up by a room full of self-proclaimed genii.

genius: a: a single strongly marked capacity or aptitude <had a genius for getting along with boys — Mary Ross> b: extraordinary intellectual power especially as manifested in creative activity c: a person endowed with transcendent mental superiority ; especially : a person with a very high IQ

Let's not confuse genius with potential. Charlie Chaplin and Alfred Hitchcock were creative geniuses who lived up to their potential. There are millions of so-called geniuses, whom we obviously haven't heard of, who did not.

Wayne, I hope you are a genius who lives up to your potential. Not one of those other ones. Best of luck with your memoir and I'm truly glad you're enjoying your time at AW.

Wayne K · Mar 11, 2009

NeuroFizz said:
And pardon me for being jaded about this. Over the years, we’ve had other people come in here and proclaim their genius in their writing abilities only to disappear from sight without a hint of their existence years later. And it just reinforces that genius shows itself through accomplishments, not through self-proclamation.

As far as me disappearing without a hint of my existence, it's not going to happen. Currently a legitimate publisher has one book and three agents are considering it. Three agencies are also considering the other.

Add to that the fact that I didn't have one word on paper and never considered writing a book until 11 months ago, and I have an eight grade education. I would consider that a few accomplishments.

Believe me I don't brag without a little something to back it up. This is from Jack David at ECW Press.

Sales is a consideration, but we are only guessing when we suggest that something might or might not sell. I would certainly continue to send the book out. I think it's likely publishable. At this point, you've worked it to the point where you can send it out and see if you get interest. Good luck.

Once again I give the credit to people here who have pushed me in the right direction.

NeuroFizz · Mar 11, 2009

As explained, my post dealt with the self-identification tag, not with your abilities. We are always rooting for success of our fellow AWers. We are thrilled with your successes to date, and we will continue to be thrilled when you take the next step. Earn the tag and I'll be first in line to pin it on your chest.

Bubastes · Mar 11, 2009

On the "genius" moniker: I like Elizabeth Gilbert's distinction between "being" a genius and "having" a genius in the video I posted on this thread:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132352

MetalDog · Mar 11, 2009

Congratulations Wayne!

You're right, this place is awesome. The advice is usually patient, where people disagree is as informative as where they agree and I've lost hours poking about in the expert advice area learning random facts I may or may not ever need.

Wayne K · Mar 11, 2009

NeuroFizz said:
As explained, my post dealt with the self-identification tag, not with your abilities. We are always rooting for success of our fellow AWers. We are thrilled with your successes to date, and we will continue to be thrilled when you take the next step. Earn the tag and I'll be first in line to pin it on your chest.

I hear you. I'll hold you to that too if the occasion should arise. You're one of the people I'm thanking here so I'll consider it an honor. I'll accept an AW prize in literature if the Nobel people aren't impressed.

MumblingSage · Mar 11, 2009

Congrats, and...you're welcome? I'm ashamed tos ay I'm nto sure I've done anything for you, but :w00t: anyway.

Hey, self-esteem is not to be taken lightly. I spent a few months angry and disappointed with myself (I'm a generally optimistic person who polishes her rose-colored glasses regularly) and it was almost more than I could stand. If you feel that you're a genious, even facetiously, good for you!

Fenika · Mar 11, 2009

Thank you for the cake. When's the manprawn showing up?

brokenfingers · Mar 11, 2009

Pffft. I thought this thread was a paean to my personal genius. Mods, please change the title.

Ruv Draba · Mar 12, 2009

Well, I'm glad you finally acknowledged me for my efforts! I don't believe that I've ever advised you, answered a question or critted your work, but clearly if you're a genius and I made you better without really trying, I've got to be more than twice as good as you. Huzzah for me....yes, me!

(And I think it is about time you acknowledged me. It's all been take, take, take from you until now.)

(Hrm... in the same vein, I wonder if I've accidentally not-written a couple of literary successes in between not-helping you?)

Wayne K · Mar 12, 2009

Ruv Draba said:
(And I think it is about time you acknowledged me. It's all been take, take, take from you until now.)?)

I'm a selfish genius sadly enough.

Ol' Fashioned Girl · Mar 12, 2009

It's one of your endearing qualities... along with those tasty avatars of late.

A shout out to you...yes you.

Wayne K

Neversage

Part of the Scenery

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

C.bronco

I have plans...

NeuroFizz

The grad students did it

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

Wayne K

CaroGirl

Living the dream

Wayne K

NeuroFizz

The grad students did it

Bubastes

bananaed

MetalDog

Woof!

Wayne K

MumblingSage

Inarticulate Herb

Fenika

brokenfingers

Walkin' That Road

Ruv Draba

Wayne K

Ol' Fashioned Girl

Hand? What hand?