Hi guys! Quick drop-in. I just wanted to ask you if you ever read Shakespeare? The reason I ask is because he is probably the most read writer in history. When I made the decision to become a writer, I went to the library and picked up a collection of his works. I brought the book home, read a few lines, and put the book aside.
Now, in school when they wanted us to read these kinds of books, I could never finish them. As much as I love to read today, I didn't read a full book until I was nineteen! For some reason, when someone obliges me to read something, I struggle, I have zero fun. That's what happened with him.
For a while I thought I was abnormal for disliking Shakespeare and, to be honest, I just think it's boring. I never dug the 'Act 1, Act 2' type of works. When I picked up the book at the library, I hoped to be 'enlightened,' finally the lightbulb would come and I would appreciate the kind of genius this legendary writer is. Maybe I could learn a trick or two about being a great writer and this would influence me to push forward.
Nothing of this happened. Notta. Nil. Zilch. I thought the work was boring still. I was ashamed of it until an acquaintance, who is an experienced reader and who owned a library for many years, told me how she also thought Shakespeare was boring. In fact, this former French teacher told me the reason Shakespeare is so popular and read throughout the world is because it was instilled in schools eons ago.
For the first time, I felt better about myself. As much as I respect Shakespeare's works being published five hundred years after his death, I will stick to my Stephen Kings, Paulo Coelhos, and Henry Millers, of this world.
As fans of fiction, do some of you feel the same way? Do you appreciate Shakespeare's works as much as history does?
I would love to hear your thoughts.
With Purpose, Passion, and Love,
Frederic Bye
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