François Bon's Pseudo-Translated Writing Handbook: The Curious Case of Malt Olbren's The Creative Writing No-Guide. Issue 1 (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meyntjens, Gert-Jan
• Is Part Of: Nottingham French studies. Volume 57:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 80
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: François Bon -- atelier d'écriture -- creative writing handbook -- pseudo-translation -- Richard Sennett -- expressive instruction; French literature -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; 840
• DOI: 10.3366/nfs.2018.0204
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-4586

Abstract

Abstract : This article investigates the case of François Bon's pseudo-translation of Malt Olbren's The Creative Writing No-Guide (2013). If Bon believes that the making public of writing atelier practices is crucial, then why does he share his know-how by means of a pseudo-translation? Moreover, why does he limit himself to a digital version? I will first argue that Bon's choice for the digital format not only fits within his general move towards the Internet, but also has to do with the audience he targets. Then, I will show how The Creative Writing No-Guide 's set-up as a pseudo-translation permits Bon not only to criticize more conventional handbooks through means of parody, but also to transmit writing tools successfully by means of what sociologist Richard Sennett calls expressive instructions.