"For better or worse, I seem to gravitate toward writing about something or someone else, then have my own self shove its way into that story. It seems insanely narcissistic. But I also think there's a particular effect that comes from using my autobiography in service to another story, as opposed to being the subject. I'm much more comfortable working in that mode. And I do think I have a persona or mood that I keep coming back to: self-conscious, self-critical, unsure. I write a lot about bodies, particularly male ones, usually as a point of emphasis for my insecurities about my own."
About Lucas Mann
Lucas Mann — Life and Legacy
Lucas Mann is a contemporary author whose work delves into the intricacies of identity and the personal struggles that shape it. His notable book, 'Captive Audience,' examines the complexities of self-perception against the backdrop of societal expectations. Mann's core philosophy revolves around the idea that identity is not static; rather, it is forged through experiences of conflict and vulnerability. He articulates this through poignant quotes that resonate with readers, such as his reflections on how personal struggles can illuminate the path to authenticity. By challenging conventional notions of identity, Mann invites readers to confront their own narratives and embrace the messiness of self-discovery. His insights remain relevant today, as they encourage a deeper understanding of the human experience and the emotional landscapes we navigate.
Quote collection
Lucas Mann quotes
7 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"After writing anything, there's always that postpartum feeling of, "What do I do now?" - I think particularly for nonfiction writers. I feel myself pulled back to the same themes, sometimes even the same moments, and I'm not sure that I want that."
"Lately I've been thinking about the idea that all novels are, at least in some way, about the process of writing a novel - that the construction of the book and the lineage of people constructing novels are always part of the story the author is telling. I think the equivalent for memoir should be that all memoirs are, in some way, about the process of memory. Memoirs are made out of a confusing, flawed act of creation."
"I came to nonfiction through journalism. My first book was journalism, and it was so frustrating to me, while I was writing it, that I wasn't capturing the moments the way they were when I lived them; I was filtering and re-filtering. I had to come to terms with the fact that I couldn't and shouldn't claim authenticity. Then, when the book was published and I gave readings, I'd hear myself read and it was like I was eavesdropping on a dream - even with myself as the narrator. I knew that guy but couldn't exactly recognize him."
"Walter Benjamin talks about art losing its original "aura" in an age of mechanical reproduction. In writing memoir, we're taking something that happened in a particular moment and meant something at that time, and we're trying to capture it to mass reproduce it for readers. So of course something is lost. And when we edit that material, we're getting even further from that aura, but toward something else that is potentially vital."
"That idea of not being exactly who you write as is so crucial. Even looking at those words as I type them, it feels dirty, it feels like I'm admitting something. Unfortunately, I think that's how the conversation around nonfiction is so much of the time - either defensive or accusatory. Aha! You've been caught! But the original essence of something is always lost when it's reproduced."
"There is something more important than the place being left. It's that swell of crushing emptiness that makes the insignificant seem anything but."