Down with Hackles

I don't get all riled up by a lot of things. I used to when I was younger, but I suspect that may be part of the job description for "Younger Person" – to expend tons of energy on emotional hot-buttons that really don't mean a lot in the long run. 

However, one thing that nearly always gets my hackles up--and I don't even know for sure WHERE my hackles are--but this phrase can get them to stand at attention every time: 

"We've always done it this way."

Generally this irritating pronouncement follows directly after the words, "No, we can't do THAT, because. . ."

(Okay, detour here. I had to go look up "hackles", just to satisfy my curiosity. According to The Free Dictionary online, hackles are "erectile hairs along the back of the neck of an animal", and they "rise when the animal is angry or afraid". I am a lot happier now that I have located my hackles. Even if I don't plan to use them frequently.)

My hackles get an intensive workout when people say, "We've always done it this way", because what it really means is, "We're never going to do it any differently either".   

So let's trace this "always" back to its origin, whether that is Adam and Eve, or the first dinosaur that roamed the earth, depending on your view of the world. Now let's move back into the present day. 

Can you see anything different at all?  

I suspect a lot of things that have "always been done this way" start out as "Oh, crap, we've run out of time, we've got to get this done, so let's just do THIS for right now." Next thing you know, this method or procedure has become part of the tradition, and it's achieved legendary status, handed down from generation to generation, all because it's easier to repeat the old method rather than find time to create something new and more practical.

I'm not one who embraces change, but I do see the necessity of it. And, in my typically contrary fashion, I like trying new things, since it is what makes life interesting and flavorful and joyous. 

Again, I am not saying change is always easy, or pleasant, or anything like that. It's not. However, if something isn't working now, the way you "always" do it, it kinda makes sense to try something different, just to see if there's a better way to accomplish your goal. Or at least it doesn't make sense to keep banging your head against the desk, trying to make the old way work just for the sake of keeping the tradition alive.

Even THINKING about doing something differently is a change, which can stimulate other new things into being.

The beauty of change, and trying something new, is you can change that too. Did you like it better the way you used to do it? Maybe with a slight modification? Or did trying this make you think of something entirely new that will serve your needs even better?

Being a writer has taught me the most about how to change things. My characters develop and grow from Chapter 1 all the way through the Epilogue. If they don't, then I amend that, with revisions. I lean on the delete key when the words I type didn't end up in the order I intended.  "Cut and paste" isn't an arts and crafts activity from my kindergarten days, but a method of reorganizing my thoughts into something more coherent. When my writing routine isn't producing the word count I anticipate, or if my creativity seems to be ebbing, I change what I'm doing since it isn't working the way it "always" has.

I don't believe we create with our words because we want things to stay the same. We do it because we want to change, and improve, what we see on a daily basis. There's a certain dissatisfaction with daily events which motivates us to rewrite them in our books, creating a story that reflects our vision of the world as it should be. 

So today, let's consider chipping away at the monolith of tradition by trying something a little bit different than usual. If that isn't possible just yet, try to slowly eradicate the philosophy of, "It's always been done that way". It might freak out those around you who cling desperately to the old ways. 

But at least it will help give my hackles a well-deserved rest.

Comments

[Maureen]

Sounds like about as allergic to "We've always done it this way..." as I am to "You should always follow the rules..."

Granted, I have been, most of my life, an avid rule follower. Then I almost died and somehow, the epitaph of "She Followed the Rules" just lost it's appeal.

I don't always rock the boat, ;-) Granted. But I do test the waters, tease the wind, toss the compass now and then, and just see where the ship wants to go.

Life is too short to always color inside the lines...or never try a new way of doing things.

[Donna Cummings]

Maureen, I love your nautical descriptions! That's exactly the way it should be, exploring where life takes us, and enjoying the adventure.

I understand rules, and the need for them, so we won't have total anarchy. Still, isn't another rule the one that "rules were made to be broken"? LOL

[Joanne]

Especially with writing, it's important to try new directions, new styles. That all-important fresh spin is what the readers enjoy, a new twist, a new plot, something different to intrigue them.

[Donna Cummings]

Joanne, you're exactly right about trying new things with our writing. It makes things more interesting for readers, as you said, and it also increases the creative sparks for the writer. Everyone wins!

[Terri Osburn]

You hit my hot button with this one. Definitely gets my hackles up, which isn't good because I have short hair so my hackles actually show.

I spent six years working at a tiny radio station. The Sales Manager had been there since 1955 (this was the late 90s/early 00s.) The Program Director had been in charge of the music since 1968. You have no idea how often I heard the words "But we've always done it this way."

I still blame them for my premature gray.

I'm a walking paradox in that I love change, must have it, but I'm also a creature of routine and habit. I am finding that a willingness to change is almost essential for a writer. If I wasn't willing to change that plot direction or alter that character or even vary up my process, I'd be done for. I might have an MS or two, but they wouldn't be the least bit interesting to anyone, especially me.

[Donna Cummings]

Terri -- my sympathies! I can just imagine how many times you heard that phrase. (At that point it should just be printed on a business card, or made into a tattoo, right? LOL)

Since I am one of those that likes routine but can find it confining, I try to change things up every once in a while. That's why I like to try writing in different genres, or challenge myself to a new method. Willingness to change is an essential tool for a writer. Why else would there be erasers or delete keys? LOL

[colbymarshall]

I like routine, but I usually find I like change if I open myself up to it. I am so afraid to hit delete sometimes, but once I do, I find myself smiling. Hm/. :-)

[Donna Cummings]

Colby, I have the hardest time hitting the Delete key. LOL In fact, I save everything that I cut out, and put it in a document called "leftovers" -- which means I have a kabillion docs with leftover pieces. It makes me feel better knowing it's there though!

[kim]

Well said!! And agree. I wrote about change on the New Year. It's always difficult to throw out the old and embrace the new for me..

[Donna Cummings]

Kim, it's mind boggling to think we've just started the second half of this new year, isn't it? LOL I'm hoping with all the practice I get embracing the new, I'll actually get better at it. Some days are easier than others!