Why does anyone think they should make a living by writing? Reading is the least popular sport in America. Jumping to conclusions is probably the first - maybe second behind futbol.
First of all, almost anyone can write, exceptions being the handless, the mindless, and the idea impaired. However, the rest of us can string words together in such a way that you have a noun, verb, adjective, pronoun, adverb, gerund in there somewhere. I just don't get the whole "oooh, she's a great writer" thing.
I mean, sure, there have been some okay books out there, some billboards that caught my eye, and, yes, on the walls of a convenience store bathroom I have wondered if "Jamie" was really the "good time" that he apparently advertised himself to be.
But writing for a living? What kind of person pays for something that they can download for free on the Internet?
The meanderings expressed here do not have any connection to the reality of the writer, the reader, or the meta-tag finder. If you reached this log in error, please hang up and try again.
1 comment:
Ah, Garry, this particular blog is a surprise coming from a man as seemingly perceptive as you -- and the husband of an artist, no less.
Great writing can leave a reader filled with tears, breathless, terrified, hopeful, purged... Have you never cried through a novel, laughed yourself to a bellyache while reading a story, or felt the pain of war through the eyes of an observer?
And what of communication in general? Have you never been frustrated at the lack of "directedness" in the directions for a do-it-yourself project? Have you never received an email that was so open to interpretation that you didn't know exactly how best to respond?
As Mark Twain once wrote, "The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—'tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning." Finding that "right word" over and over and over again, and knowing just how to put them all together so that the message is both clear and powerful, is part of the talent of a great writer.
And just for emphasis, here's another way to say what I've just said:
Writing is really good, you know? It has lots of feelings. When you read. Like being afraid, and like making you cry like a baby when you're scared and stuff. I'm bet that you never did read no good books and stuff. Like I did. Cuz reading is a good thing. You know?
And maybe you didn't never put together none of those do-yourself things, like a bike or a shelf or a dresser or something. Did you? Cuz if you did, you would know it's hard. Sometimes. To follow directions. Cuz Mark Twain said you gotta choose the right lightning bug cuz it's as good as lightning and words and stuff. You know?
I rest my case.
Julia
PS: If you haven't already guessed, I earn my living by writing--much of it as a ghostwriter for brilliant executives who can't string a lively sentence together on paper. Perhaps that's why I took exception to this particular post. (Insert smiley face here.)
Post a Comment