Matty boy, I had to share that "politician shitting our of his mouth" with my circle of freinds. I don't do social media, I used the now old fashioned communication method, email. As usual, great stuff. Here's to a great 2024...I'm sure those politicians will have near deadly diarrhea this coming year. If I could move to an isolated cabin in Saskatchewan to fish away the coming year I would gladly do it.
In recognition that my sporadic glibness occasionally hits the mark, some people (my doting big sister) have urged me for years to commit myself to writing . . . something. My glib response is that I'm not bored enough to put in the effort; too busy living IT to write about IT. But the real problem is that I don't know what IT is. Yes, I love and respect words. I feel about words the way the Water Rat did about boats in The Wind in the Willows: no finer occupation than messing about with them. In fact, that's one reason why I love boats. Their care and feeding involves hundreds of specialized, very cool words: gunwale, dinghy, strake, luff, leach, batten, Genoa. However, knowing the right words and their proper usage is one thing; stringing them together not just accurately and coherently but meaningfully and movingly is quite another. That is daunting to those of us who have neither the talent nor the patience nor the self-discipline to practice (and practice and practice) that lonely art. You do, Matt, and that's why you get paid the big bucks and why we love you.
About jogging new thoughts. You write “This is not overly easy “. Overly easy? Isn’t the point made by: “This is not easy.”? No, I am not a writing Prof. Esp enjoyed Jim H and Willie. Thank you.
It is remarkable. Literacy alone, however, does not imply critical thinking. Words written to instill hate, fear and a sense of victim hood are simple manipulation in print. A form of written grooming if you will. Something instant communication has made powerful beyond imagination really.
Some write because there are things inside of them that have to be written out. It may be widely read, or not, but it has to be written. It mat be insightful or earth changing or not, but it has to be written. It may bring in money or not, but it gets written. Writers write because they are writers.
"Though most writing that resonates is about striking chords of recognition in others, to give voice to what people already know in their bones, but have not yet verbalized to themselves." Love this. I'm not going to impress anyone with my musical taste, but in my opinion, the very best songs are ones where I can listen to the lyrics and say, "yup, I've been there." There's something powerful about shared experiences.
Very early memories of being told "if you can't say something nice, don't say it." Those were the days before it was so easy to be anonymous and therefore not much at risk of getting smacked with a mackerel (figuratively). Every anonymous shot is a cheap shot. Yes, I have broken my own rule, probably too many times....
So let me get this straight. You write this dribble because you like to write? Here I was thinking it was for the fame, the glory, the accolades of peers and admirers and the measly paycheck. Boy did you have me fooled.
You forgot one of the most important rules about writing: YOU MUST BE A READER.
If nothing else, reading is the study of "publishable writing." It's also a good idea to be sure your Big Idea isn't Reinventing The Wheel; in which case you should find an original take on how to do that.
Whenever I run across some young wannabe writer who asks for advice, I ask them "How many books did you read last year that weren't assigned?" You would be amazed at the number who raise their hands at "Zero." At which point my advice to them is to get that degree in Accounting so they can stay off the streets and out of trouble, because it's for damn sure they're not going to be a writer anyone wants to read.
As to writers giving advice, everyone should remember Harlan Ellison's sage advice: "Those who can be deterred should be."
Matty boy, I had to share that "politician shitting our of his mouth" with my circle of freinds. I don't do social media, I used the now old fashioned communication method, email. As usual, great stuff. Here's to a great 2024...I'm sure those politicians will have near deadly diarrhea this coming year. If I could move to an isolated cabin in Saskatchewan to fish away the coming year I would gladly do it.
In recognition that my sporadic glibness occasionally hits the mark, some people (my doting big sister) have urged me for years to commit myself to writing . . . something. My glib response is that I'm not bored enough to put in the effort; too busy living IT to write about IT. But the real problem is that I don't know what IT is. Yes, I love and respect words. I feel about words the way the Water Rat did about boats in The Wind in the Willows: no finer occupation than messing about with them. In fact, that's one reason why I love boats. Their care and feeding involves hundreds of specialized, very cool words: gunwale, dinghy, strake, luff, leach, batten, Genoa. However, knowing the right words and their proper usage is one thing; stringing them together not just accurately and coherently but meaningfully and movingly is quite another. That is daunting to those of us who have neither the talent nor the patience nor the self-discipline to practice (and practice and practice) that lonely art. You do, Matt, and that's why you get paid the big bucks and why we love you.
About jogging new thoughts. You write “This is not overly easy “. Overly easy? Isn’t the point made by: “This is not easy.”? No, I am not a writing Prof. Esp enjoyed Jim H and Willie. Thank you.
I tried dancing like nobody was watching. I embarrassed myself. Even after re-choreographing I still looked akimbo. Either you got it or you don't.
It is remarkable. Literacy alone, however, does not imply critical thinking. Words written to instill hate, fear and a sense of victim hood are simple manipulation in print. A form of written grooming if you will. Something instant communication has made powerful beyond imagination really.
Some write because there are things inside of them that have to be written out. It may be widely read, or not, but it has to be written. It mat be insightful or earth changing or not, but it has to be written. It may bring in money or not, but it gets written. Writers write because they are writers.
"Though most writing that resonates is about striking chords of recognition in others, to give voice to what people already know in their bones, but have not yet verbalized to themselves." Love this. I'm not going to impress anyone with my musical taste, but in my opinion, the very best songs are ones where I can listen to the lyrics and say, "yup, I've been there." There's something powerful about shared experiences.
Funny advice. I, personally, do not think writing can be taught ... save for a few technical things.
But anyway, my response to the picture of Nicholson, even scruffy, is, "You wish." (Smiley face unavailable here.)
According to what I find the global literacy rate has increased from 67% in 1976 to 86.5% in 2020. Not sure the comprehension rate has followed suit.
Very early memories of being told "if you can't say something nice, don't say it." Those were the days before it was so easy to be anonymous and therefore not much at risk of getting smacked with a mackerel (figuratively). Every anonymous shot is a cheap shot. Yes, I have broken my own rule, probably too many times....
Magnificent piece of writing. Worthy of sending to my granddaughter, which I did.
So let me get this straight. You write this dribble because you like to write? Here I was thinking it was for the fame, the glory, the accolades of peers and admirers and the measly paycheck. Boy did you have me fooled.
You forgot one of the most important rules about writing: YOU MUST BE A READER.
If nothing else, reading is the study of "publishable writing." It's also a good idea to be sure your Big Idea isn't Reinventing The Wheel; in which case you should find an original take on how to do that.
Whenever I run across some young wannabe writer who asks for advice, I ask them "How many books did you read last year that weren't assigned?" You would be amazed at the number who raise their hands at "Zero." At which point my advice to them is to get that degree in Accounting so they can stay off the streets and out of trouble, because it's for damn sure they're not going to be a writer anyone wants to read.
As to writers giving advice, everyone should remember Harlan Ellison's sage advice: "Those who can be deterred should be."
Slapnuts!
https://youtu.be/TuHHUDnFSO0?si=xDsBq4TOfJa4dtxQ
Slapnuts. I'm gonna use that.
Thanks for your writings, Mr Labash- They always bring to mind special Words. Such as these for today: Exo 4:12, Jer 1:9, Luke 21:15, John 1:1 etc.