Why do I write? Why does anyone write for that matter? Is it just because we have to? That sounds reasonable. Many people don’t like to write so what ends up going behind their words is an apathetic voice filled with a colorless void. No passion, no meaning, no genuine thoughts are detailed through those words. But for people who do like to write, a entire vast of possibilities are here to explore. For me, I like to write in a way that goes outside the box. I write to break the conventional ways of writing. I like to imagine writing as a kind of game. I can play with words, tease the opponent, or reader, and create ideas according to my own rules. Does this sound quirky? If so, I don’t care. We write however we want, in what style we want, in what way our brain thinks. Who needs the generic brand of writing; the five basic paragraphs, a three -point thesis, or the illegal use of first person narrative. These formats serve to restrict who we are as writers and to keep our tones in exactly the same, monotone manner. Don’t get me wrong, we need to sound professional, but aren’t there other ways to do so? It can’t be one way or the highway. I write what I see in my head. I don’t see the structured format; I see a river flowing gently down the hill of a large Appalachian mountain, with each little ripple forming its own path, creating small waterfalls or big ones until it comes to a stop at the edge of the mountain. I don’t see where the river must end or where the river must form. It is there and I don’t need a cement pool to contain the water.
It is dark now. I can’t see the words I write in front of me. That is okay by me. I don’t need light to see what I’m thinking. The power is out. I have a strange sensation that I’ve traveled back to the sixteenth century where the only light available was by candle. Yet now I find myself lost in words. Where should I begin my tale? Perhaps it shall be one of communication since that is on my mind. And my mind is a flowing river of ideas.
I find it rather interesting that there are several forms of communication that exist. We have sign language, Morse code, gestures, and languages such as Swahili. We can do anything with language and communicate in many ways. What if that communication was cut off? Would any of my written words make sense? Perhaps the world would become blurred by incoherent ideas floating around because no one can understand what is being said.
As a writer, I try to mess with the reader’s mind. I tried to sidetrack you with this excerpt from “ Writing in the Dark”, a blog post by yours truly. Why do I write this way? I do not know. No one in particular pointed out all the little tricks I try to consciously use. So what advice can I can you, the developing writer? According to Ron Koertge, “ You who asked for advice, listen: When the tower falls, be like that child.” Basically, when you are starting out, you don’t have to be confined to the space around you. Roam around, explore ideas, or be like the kid who knocks down a tower of books: unconventional. Exploring seems to be the best option. There is no right way in writing the first words. It is something that becomes developed over time through practice. I believe Koertge wants a person to write in a way that works and that isn’t necessary a typical style. The old fashioned fancy notebook or staying in a desk doesn’t allow the mind or hand record the wonders of the outside world. There are endless possibilities when in comes to writing.
Writing typically starts out through a series of sentences. How you decide to form these sentences will in turn form your style. A sentence is like a railroad track. In the beginning, you have to wait for the train to start, but after awhile the train begins to move at a steady pace down a path that goes straight, left, or right and has twists and turns. There are several stops the train makes, but then it gets going again. That’s what I’ve been doing as I’ve been telling you my story on writing. I hope you’ve been paying attention because it’s important to know that writing has many twists and turns as well as derails and delays. But eventually there is an ending. When the writing ends is up to the train.
Now that I told you how I write, I would like to here from you. But I guess we’ll save that for another time since I have to get to class. But here’s a quick thought; does anybody write in way that hasn’t incorporated anyone’s own writing style? According to Joan Didion, she admits from stealing a title from George Orwell because it deemed fit for her intended purposes. Why George Orwell though? There are so many people to chose from. I admit to learning from Jack London, the author of “ The Call of the Wild.” Why did I chose him? It just seemed right. It seems that is the reason to how we write- it just seems right.
No comments:
Post a Comment