Raymond Carver: The Author Who Gave Me Hope | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Raymond Carver: The Author Who Gave Me Hope

I had lost faith in my writing until I read Raymond Carver's stories.

153
Raymond Carver: The Author Who Gave Me Hope
Tumblr

I had a hard time writing actual, no nonsense short stories during my sophomore year of college. The stories I’ve written before felt melodramatic, unrealistic, and not original in any way whatsoever. My characters were read as exaggerations, too unbelievable to be human when they were supposed to be. The plot also roamed all over the place, lacking any point or why we should care about the story in the first place. Of course, I didn’t figure these out until my classmates and professor addressed them in my first Creative Writing class. I couldn’t shake off their criticisms right away, so I read the works of short story author Raymond Carver.

At first, I didn’t know how to react to Carver’s stories; the minimalist style made them seem stark, bland, and the types that leave readers guessing. But boy was I naive. I realized that the characters from the stories cover a serious underlying issue normal people like us face, like a lack of marriage commitment or a young son’s tragic death.

All were written effectively without saying too much, and this later on influenced me to write about ordinary people facing everyday problems, not the saccharine romance stories I’ve written before. When I reread some of the popular stories, they spoke to me more and more; it felt like I knew the characters personally. Raymond Carver was one of the few authors who went straight to the point, and left no room for b.s. I admired that a lot.

I find Carver inspirational for going through so many obstacles, yet still managing a consistent literary success. Having been a father before 20 and working in multiple jobs to support his family, Carver lived without privilege. He was a modest, hardworking individual, never one of those who let their fame go to their head. His bio on Wikipedia states he had also coped with divorce, alcoholism, smoking, and lung cancer, which unfortunately led to this death at the age of 50. With that short life, Carver is definitely one strong man for accomplishing so much.

He was, no doubt, dedicated to his writing, and I love how he persevered to get his work recognized even when his Creative Writing teacher John Gardner was a total hard ass on him. Kudos to Carver. Carver not only makes me understand the true depth of a short story, but why stories, or really any type of writing, come out "perfect" when they’re finished. Before, I’ve wanted to give up writing when other people criticized my work to the core. But Carver pulled me out of misery, making me cut the drama and just keep writing no matter what happens. I won’t be surprised if he also influenced other struggling writers out there.

A terrific quote from his essay "On Writing."


Carver definitely saved me from falling off the rocks. Short stories are now more alive to me because of him. I gain a more meaningful insight into life each time I read Carver’s short stories and poems. It’s pretty sad that he didn’t live long enough to give advice to writers of my generation. He possesses such a unique literary voice, and he deserves more recognition in my opinion. When others discuss short story authors, they often think of Edgar Allan Poe, Anton Chekov, or Ernest Hemingway. But the first author I think of will always be Raymond Carver. I get excited whenever I read his stories again in my literature classes. To me, he is not just a writer, but a hero. As I now approach college graduation, being influenced by Carver is one of the many things I’ll take from my major. His work will resonate with me for the rest of my life.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

2112
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less
Jenna Pizzi and her mom smiling by a waterfront with a historic ship in the background.
Jenna Pizzi

There is always a time in the semester when you have about three papers, four tests, five assignments and two projects due within the same time period. Isn't that just the best?

It's almost as if the professors all plot against you just to make college even more stressful than it already is. No matter how many people try to make you feel better, no one ever compares to your mom. Moms always know exactly what to say.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Jobs Your Roommate Has

She's got your back with everything that college throws at you.

1994
Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey in scrubs sit against a wall, smiling and enjoying a break.

If you are anything like my roommate and I, you have a friendship with your roomie. You’re lucky to have gotten a roommate that is easy to get along with and more importantly cool to live with. Whether you found her on Facebook or went random, a roommate is a big part of life in college. This list goes through some of the jobs that a roommate has that help you get through college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

35 Things I Wish I Learned In My Freshman Year Of College

Just some relatable college student advice! Yes, you aren’t the only one!

1627
Towson University
YouTube

Freshman year can either be the greatest year, or the roughest year. It depends on your transition and how you adjust. For me, freshman year in college was one of the best years of my life. However, looking back, there are a few things that I wish I learned.

Now that I am a sophomore, I can finally do things a little differently. Here are a few things that I wish I learned my freshman year of college!

Keep Reading...Show less
Woman in field with a red heart-shaped balloon under a colorful sky.

Being single can be great and awful at the same time. Yeah, it's awesome to have time to yourself to figure out who you are and make your own decisions. It would also be nice to have someone to go through life with, but it needs to be the right person. I haven't found that person yet and here's a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments