For me, writing is how I make sense out of what I've thought. If I don't go through the exercise, the struggle, to write down a thought, I usually lose it.
I used to think that was because, without making a note of it, I would forgot what I had thought. But that's not it. It's not a problem of memory. Writing the thought down completes it, as abstraction crystallizes into physical form. Thoughts not written down often drift away, still vague and ephemeral and incomplete, without substance.
A thought only thought is, like talk, cheap. Writing a thought down makes it dear.
I like this.....And isn't it amazing the amount of information that the human brain can store.... Shouldn't our skulls expand the older we get? Maybe writing it down helps create more space for more info...just like cleaning out memory files in your computer.......... I have no idea what I mean!! I only use a computer and don't understand how it works! thanks John...in the past year I've been in touch with three individuals, only one is someone I actually know in 'real life'... we had 60 years of catching up to do. She was a HS friend and saw my name in the school's reunion list and took a chance and found me....ain't technology amazing? So three times this past year I've been sharing stories of my life and I'm so amazed at the things I'm able to recall. For years I've thought about writing short stories about my adventures. All I've been able to do thus far is come up with a title............."I was abroad for many years, but now I'm a lady"........... oh well maybe someday I'll write a book. Right now, I'm too busy living it. And Mardy, I am always amazed at the amount of information that your produce and what's in your head. You must be using more of your brain than the average human. Keep up the good job!! We love it. Thanks
Thanks for sharing your "writing things down" method, John. I can't tell you how many of my thoughts have disappeared forever because I didn't write them down.
Mardy, if anyone can correct me, it has to be you. Isn't there a saying that goes like this...'if you love to read, thank your mother. If you love to write, thank a teacher.' i'm sure it's not correct. if possible let me know what it should be. Thank you sir.
Thanks, Arlene. The thought you’re asking about appears to be a clever mash-up of two separate “modern proverbs” that both emerged in the late 1900s. “If you can read this, thank a teacher” and “If you love to read, thank your mother.”
haha - need a wound, huh? I've been saying for a few years now, if I ever put the words I've written into book form, the title would be ' Trust is No Excuse for Stupid'.
However, I don't see myself as a writer; more of a 'jotter'. I journal a lot. I'll use Joan Didion's quote for that "I write/journal entirely to find what I'm thinking..."
more little notes of jottings as I read this week's topic, Mardy... I do a bit of painting/drawing, & can experience the same thing ... "hours pass like minutes" ... & it was heartening to read that writers can benefit from copying writers they admire. I feel like a fake when I copy other artists... so perhaps this can be of benefit for me to free myself a bit...
& finally, a memory jog, reading about Judy Blume - one son, when he was young, was supposed to write a fictional story. HE COULD NOT START THE STORY UNTIL HE FIGURED OUT WHAT NAMES TO GIVE HIS CHARACTERS. He refused to even put one word down. He refused to give numbers/letters, anything at all to his characters. He HAD to come up w/ the perfect names for them first. Thanks for that memory!!!
Thanks for weighing in on this week's theme. dj. That is an intriguing book title. Thanks also for reminding us that the "emulation" thought also can be applied to other forms of art. And, finally, thanks for sharing that wonderful memory about your son's need to name all his characters before writing about them. Most interesting.
This whole discussion draws close to supporting the ridiculous notion that writing fiction is some sort of an elevated calling, like the priesthood. It isn't.
Why do I write? (Shrug.) Why does a carpenter build? Why does a mechanic repair engines?
I write to lend my fingertips to my characters so they can manipulate the keyboard, to share with the world the stories that they, not I, are iving. Their worlds and stories are endlessly more interesting than mine.
Thanks for your heartwarming words, Manisha. I'm honored to play such an important role in your life. Thanks also for sharing the personal revelation. Using Martin Amis's metaphor, it's clearly a "wound" you have used to your benefit.
I definitely am not a writer. Maybe a diarist? Writing a memoir or an autobiography is very much like being in therapy, with one's editor the trusted doctor. Recently, I decided to start a diary, of sorts, of Jack's relentless journey into Neverland. His struggle and my observations of it might in some way bring an understanding of, or a glimpse into, this awful disease.
Thanks, Pat. Your life has been a most interesting "story," and I'm glad to see that this latest chapter--with all the pain associated with it--might one day be of help to someone trying to make it through a similar difficult period.
This week's missive -- really firing my thoughts and imagination. On a deeper level, your theme echos my understanding that obstacles in life can lead to great events. I have often said in the classes I taught that FDR became one of our greatest Presidents because he faced great obstacles. A personal note for me: Although I have done much writing in my career including a book on Family Law, my writing has been of the non-fiction somewhat technical variety, but also fueled by obstacles that I have discovered first hand (about which you are aware, Dr. Mardy, from our prior communications). Your missive today brings me a bit of melancholy, wishing that my life's path had steered me into more a personal human path. But, it is what it is ... And, I believe that I have been doing what life has assigned me to do. A
Thanks, Roger. Yes, we all need obstacles, don't we? Without them, we'd likely amount to nothing. FDR is a perfect illustration of their value in human life, and I know you've experience the phenomenon as well. Regarding your life's path, my own view is you carved out a rather nice niche for yourself.
Your theme, "Writers", which appears to be solely about novelists, omits my concept of poets. In my opinion, they also are writers - although of a different genre. Perhaps I'm being too literal in thinking that the written (or printed - including computer) word makes one a "writer" - one who expresses a thought in a lasting format.
My efforts at poetry aren't at all born of experience. They simply come from - who knows where? Sometimes even from mis-hearing someone, leading to my own wandering thoughts and eventually into a written format. And sometimes, even in my dozing times. And that's why I keep a pen and paper on my nightstand - to not lose the thought on awakening.
I consider myself a "writer" - for my own entertainment, like others who are journalists.
You're right, Lon, poets clearly fit into the category as well. And you may be on to something when you say that they may have some additional motivations for doing what they do.
All writers are seekers; all writing is an effort to find the self in the world and the world in the self. — Sidney Cox
I love this. I write... well, because I can't help it. What else can I do? I write to uncover what my elusive mind is up to. Or maybe to counteract what my mind is distracted by. And counter the distraction with focused attention.
I have noticed that, as I've aged, my writing has become more like blank verse. Short, and, I hope, pithy. And I dot the pieces I send out with photos, most, but not all, my own. Not sure if that is because of my decreasing attention span, or the world's? Or both?
That Cox quote is a beauty, isn't it? And a perfect example of chiasmus as well. I've noticed that your writing has changed some as you've aged--and in a nice direction, I think.
Marty, I enjoyed your ruminations on writing that elucidated the topic. So much written about writing pertains to the classic forms of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, yet a good deal of everyday writing is purposeful writing—resumes, office emails, financial and audit reports, advertising copywriting, and speech writing. I was fortunate to teach all these topics in my career after learning from many outstanding authors. While these forms all seek to persuade and influence, I believe every writer who shares what they’ve written secretly hopes to find at least one admiring reader. As you've accomplished each week.
Thanks for reminding us that there are many forms if writing that we don't think of as writing, Michael. I also really enjoyed your observation about secretly desiring one admiring writer.
This was a another great message! Thank you! I won’t be reading favorite novels or mystery books in the same way! You've given me a whole new level of experience!!! And really have enjoyed reading everyone’s comments too!!
I got a copy of Sunday Best by Burnice Rubens (an English author) yesterday and read it in one sitting. It is an interesting book, published in 1980 when words like the n-word could still appear in a book like this. Sort of comical in a way but with a serious message. I enjoyed it.
For me, writing is how I make sense out of what I've thought. If I don't go through the exercise, the struggle, to write down a thought, I usually lose it.
I used to think that was because, without making a note of it, I would forgot what I had thought. But that's not it. It's not a problem of memory. Writing the thought down completes it, as abstraction crystallizes into physical form. Thoughts not written down often drift away, still vague and ephemeral and incomplete, without substance.
A thought only thought is, like talk, cheap. Writing a thought down makes it dear.
I like this.....And isn't it amazing the amount of information that the human brain can store.... Shouldn't our skulls expand the older we get? Maybe writing it down helps create more space for more info...just like cleaning out memory files in your computer.......... I have no idea what I mean!! I only use a computer and don't understand how it works! thanks John...in the past year I've been in touch with three individuals, only one is someone I actually know in 'real life'... we had 60 years of catching up to do. She was a HS friend and saw my name in the school's reunion list and took a chance and found me....ain't technology amazing? So three times this past year I've been sharing stories of my life and I'm so amazed at the things I'm able to recall. For years I've thought about writing short stories about my adventures. All I've been able to do thus far is come up with a title............."I was abroad for many years, but now I'm a lady"........... oh well maybe someday I'll write a book. Right now, I'm too busy living it. And Mardy, I am always amazed at the amount of information that your produce and what's in your head. You must be using more of your brain than the average human. Keep up the good job!! We love it. Thanks
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Arlene. I'm touched by your warm compliment!
Thanks for sharing your "writing things down" method, John. I can't tell you how many of my thoughts have disappeared forever because I didn't write them down.
Mardy, if anyone can correct me, it has to be you. Isn't there a saying that goes like this...'if you love to read, thank your mother. If you love to write, thank a teacher.' i'm sure it's not correct. if possible let me know what it should be. Thank you sir.
Thanks, Arlene. The thought you’re asking about appears to be a clever mash-up of two separate “modern proverbs” that both emerged in the late 1900s. “If you can read this, thank a teacher” and “If you love to read, thank your mother.”
haha - need a wound, huh? I've been saying for a few years now, if I ever put the words I've written into book form, the title would be ' Trust is No Excuse for Stupid'.
However, I don't see myself as a writer; more of a 'jotter'. I journal a lot. I'll use Joan Didion's quote for that "I write/journal entirely to find what I'm thinking..."
more little notes of jottings as I read this week's topic, Mardy... I do a bit of painting/drawing, & can experience the same thing ... "hours pass like minutes" ... & it was heartening to read that writers can benefit from copying writers they admire. I feel like a fake when I copy other artists... so perhaps this can be of benefit for me to free myself a bit...
& finally, a memory jog, reading about Judy Blume - one son, when he was young, was supposed to write a fictional story. HE COULD NOT START THE STORY UNTIL HE FIGURED OUT WHAT NAMES TO GIVE HIS CHARACTERS. He refused to even put one word down. He refused to give numbers/letters, anything at all to his characters. He HAD to come up w/ the perfect names for them first. Thanks for that memory!!!
Thanks for weighing in on this week's theme. dj. That is an intriguing book title. Thanks also for reminding us that the "emulation" thought also can be applied to other forms of art. And, finally, thanks for sharing that wonderful memory about your son's need to name all his characters before writing about them. Most interesting.
This whole discussion draws close to supporting the ridiculous notion that writing fiction is some sort of an elevated calling, like the priesthood. It isn't.
Why do I write? (Shrug.) Why does a carpenter build? Why does a mechanic repair engines?
I write to lend my fingertips to my characters so they can manipulate the keyboard, to share with the world the stories that they, not I, are iving. Their worlds and stories are endlessly more interesting than mine.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on writing fiction, Harvey, as well as your personal revelation about why you write.
You're welcome. :-)
Great piece Mardy. Thank you for being one of my heroes in the room while I write. :)
When I think back to my first journal as a teenager, I began to write because no one was that interested in listening to me talk.
Thanks for your heartwarming words, Manisha. I'm honored to play such an important role in your life. Thanks also for sharing the personal revelation. Using Martin Amis's metaphor, it's clearly a "wound" you have used to your benefit.
I definitely am not a writer. Maybe a diarist? Writing a memoir or an autobiography is very much like being in therapy, with one's editor the trusted doctor. Recently, I decided to start a diary, of sorts, of Jack's relentless journey into Neverland. His struggle and my observations of it might in some way bring an understanding of, or a glimpse into, this awful disease.
Thanks, Pat. Your life has been a most interesting "story," and I'm glad to see that this latest chapter--with all the pain associated with it--might one day be of help to someone trying to make it through a similar difficult period.
This week's missive -- really firing my thoughts and imagination. On a deeper level, your theme echos my understanding that obstacles in life can lead to great events. I have often said in the classes I taught that FDR became one of our greatest Presidents because he faced great obstacles. A personal note for me: Although I have done much writing in my career including a book on Family Law, my writing has been of the non-fiction somewhat technical variety, but also fueled by obstacles that I have discovered first hand (about which you are aware, Dr. Mardy, from our prior communications). Your missive today brings me a bit of melancholy, wishing that my life's path had steered me into more a personal human path. But, it is what it is ... And, I believe that I have been doing what life has assigned me to do. A
Thanks, Roger. Yes, we all need obstacles, don't we? Without them, we'd likely amount to nothing. FDR is a perfect illustration of their value in human life, and I know you've experience the phenomenon as well. Regarding your life's path, my own view is you carved out a rather nice niche for yourself.
Your theme, "Writers", which appears to be solely about novelists, omits my concept of poets. In my opinion, they also are writers - although of a different genre. Perhaps I'm being too literal in thinking that the written (or printed - including computer) word makes one a "writer" - one who expresses a thought in a lasting format.
My efforts at poetry aren't at all born of experience. They simply come from - who knows where? Sometimes even from mis-hearing someone, leading to my own wandering thoughts and eventually into a written format. And sometimes, even in my dozing times. And that's why I keep a pen and paper on my nightstand - to not lose the thought on awakening.
I consider myself a "writer" - for my own entertainment, like others who are journalists.
You're right, Lon, poets clearly fit into the category as well. And you may be on to something when you say that they may have some additional motivations for doing what they do.
All writers are seekers; all writing is an effort to find the self in the world and the world in the self. — Sidney Cox
I love this. I write... well, because I can't help it. What else can I do? I write to uncover what my elusive mind is up to. Or maybe to counteract what my mind is distracted by. And counter the distraction with focused attention.
I have noticed that, as I've aged, my writing has become more like blank verse. Short, and, I hope, pithy. And I dot the pieces I send out with photos, most, but not all, my own. Not sure if that is because of my decreasing attention span, or the world's? Or both?
That Cox quote is a beauty, isn't it? And a perfect example of chiasmus as well. I've noticed that your writing has changed some as you've aged--and in a nice direction, I think.
Marty, I enjoyed your ruminations on writing that elucidated the topic. So much written about writing pertains to the classic forms of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, yet a good deal of everyday writing is purposeful writing—resumes, office emails, financial and audit reports, advertising copywriting, and speech writing. I was fortunate to teach all these topics in my career after learning from many outstanding authors. While these forms all seek to persuade and influence, I believe every writer who shares what they’ve written secretly hopes to find at least one admiring reader. As you've accomplished each week.
Thanks for reminding us that there are many forms if writing that we don't think of as writing, Michael. I also really enjoyed your observation about secretly desiring one admiring writer.
Thank you for sharing Mardy
This was a another great message! Thank you! I won’t be reading favorite novels or mystery books in the same way! You've given me a whole new level of experience!!! And really have enjoyed reading everyone’s comments too!!
Dr. Mardy,
Here is my take on writing, "excellence in writing is the surest evidence of intelligence".
Best,
Jamie
I got a copy of Sunday Best by Burnice Rubens (an English author) yesterday and read it in one sitting. It is an interesting book, published in 1980 when words like the n-word could still appear in a book like this. Sort of comical in a way but with a serious message. I enjoyed it.