Do Any 'ordinary' Artists, Writers, Poets, Come To Mind?

[bainbrig]

Most British writers (mainly the men) seem to have been awful husbands or partners, deserting them, having them locked up in asylums, whatever. None (if any) led 'ordinary' lives - caring for their families, loving their wives or children, etc.

Did ANY of them lead ordinary lives, and just happen to write?

BB

[Cloverjo]

I don’t know that all artists are tortured geniuses.

There are probably lots of plumbers and electricians that can be nasty to their wives, too. And some that are quite nice.

[woofgang]

Atheist you sound like you are saying that being a "creative artist" justifies thoughtless behaviour?

[andy-hughes]

woofgang - // For me its not about whether the artist knows or not but whether I know....I won't knowingly support someone whose lifestyle disgusts me. //

Although we do differ in terms of the art / artist side of this approach, I do understand your view, it is about feeling at peace with your own morality, and if it would bother you to listen to someone who you know is a dreadful human being, then no issue here, I simply don't share that view myself.

The reason I understand it though, is that I always pay the money for the collection at Mass, and we have individual envelopes so that the church can reclaim the tax.

I am happy to pay for the maintenance of my local church and parish, but when the 'Peter's Pence' envelope comes up, I tear it up, I have never given, and never will.

The money is used for maintenance of the upkeep of The Vatican, ad having visited, and seen a tiny fraction of the obscene wealth of the papacy, I would not add one penny to it, even though they will never know of my refusal, it makes me feel better.

I also refuse to give to 'Life' collections, because I think the right of a mother to decide the future for herself and her foetus is hers and hers alone.

[bainbrig]

Not much of a Catholic, are you Andy? Ever thought of NOT going to mass?

[douglas9401]

We ask that you consider the environment before tearing up the envelope and suggest a verbal protest might have less and yet at the same time, more impact.

[woofgang]

BB Andy has made clear that he doesn't follow any religion and goes to church because it pleases his wife.

[bainbrig]

Tempting to mark douglas's odd answer ("We ask that you consider the environment before tearing up the envelope and suggest a verbal protest might have less and yet at the same time, more impact." as Best Answer, if only to prove that he's lost it.

[Atheist]

I've heard that Roy Orbison was a very nice person. I'm sure there are lots of others, but I'm afraid I can't give you a list.

[Atheist]

Woof, I don't think that being a creative artist justifies thoughtless behaviour. I've written next to nothing for three months because I don't want to spend a lot of time being too busy to relate to my wife. That's why I don't spend a lot of time here.

[andy-hughes]

bainbrig - // Not much of a Catholic, are you Andy? Ever thought of NOT going to mass? //

No not much, that's probably because I am an atheist.

As woofgang has advised, I go to Mass because I accompany my wife who is a Catholic, and I enjoy singing hymns and the community feeling, and joining friends for a cup of tea afterwards.

[bainbrig]

Atheist. “ I'm afraid I can't give you a list.”

I don’t want a list, just a description of the sort of life someone lived which might include them in the ‘decent, ordinary’ category.

(I met Orbison in the mid-60s, and he did indeed seem like a kind and decent bloke).

BillB

[andy-hughes]

I wonder if the possibly higher proportion of bad behaviour by writers is simply advised to the general public by virtue of the fact that they are writers, and therefore their home life, especially if there is scurrilous gossip to be pedaled, may be seen as of more interest.

[bainbrig]

andy: I know you get huffy when your writing skills are questioned, but as an ex-teacher of the language I feel obliged to point out that pedalling is what you do on a bike, peddling is what many do on this website in terms of promoting their loony ideas.

PS Point taken about the scurrilous lives and gossip, although most artistic types I have known seem to operate better 'on the edge' than when their lives are dull (not my description) and stable.

BB

[ladybirder]

Are musicians included? If they are Paul and Linda McCartney were very happily married. Can't stand him though.

[bainbrig]

Ladybirder. Know what you mean. But you wonder if someone that self-centred could actually muck-in when needed.

[jourdain2]

Rather late to this thread, but Bill Bryson is a very pleasant chap and he and his wife have been happily married for many years. He used to pick his kid up from athletics training sessions when I knew them when they lived in Yorkshire.

[bainbrig]

Jourdain: that’s PRECISELY the sort of detail we need to get an idea of the man. Thanks.