Save the Syllables:
from Call it Experience, first published in 1951...: from Call it Experience , first published in 1951 "I admired her for having enough confidence in herself to give up her job to wr...
Mostly about writing, reading, with some current affairs and other stuff thrown in.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
from Call it Experience, first published in 1951
"I admired her for having enough confidence in herself to give up her job to write a book, and I wondered if I would ever be able to make a similar decision. Anyway, Peggy Mitchell had resigned and, after ten years of work, Gone With the Wind was published in 1936."
"Well, so long Erskine. Hope you don't have it too hard from now on, but you can always count on me to feel sorry for you."
"In February it was colder than I thought cold could get. Shivering there in the unheated room day after day, the windowpanes frosted by the vapor of my breath, the skin over my knuckles cracked by frostbite, and trying over and over again to make a story sound to the inner ear the way I wanted it to sound."
"Naturally, all fictional personages are to some extent created from the recollection or observation of living people by the author, for otherwise people in novels and short stories would have slight resemblance to human beings."
"It was surprising how many reasons, logical and farfetched, could be found for not accepting a story."
"I was not averse to advice in principle, as long as it conformed in the main to what I was going to go ahead and do anyway."
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Exercise to Develop Writing Muscle
Someone recently asked me why a person with decades of experience as a horse riding instructor would need to take lessons. It's the same reason pro golfers constantly receive coaching and why pro athletes of all types continue to practice.
Even the most accomplished writers can continue to build their skills with practice. One writing exercise I use regularly is to write about something I see outside my window. Even better is to go someplace new and describe what you see, or write your impressions of it.
For example last weekend I went to a karate tournament for the first time. What follows, unedited is my actual exercise, done just before hitting the publish button. I hope that in the comments section, you will share exercises you use to sharpen your writing. Here goes.
Karate may be the most democratic thing I've ever encountered. If, like me, your mind's picture of karate has been shaped by television and film, then I don't think we know karate.
Entering the high school gym where the tournament was held was an assault on the senses. It was as loud -- and appeared as organized -- as a cattle stampede. I was a little put off at first. It seemed like chaos, which I'm not a fan of. But, after finding a seat on the bleachers and quieting my mind a bit, the mystery began to dissolve. The gym floor was carved into six rings and there were competitors doing either forms, handling weapons, or fighting, all of which was pretty darned interesting.
Back to democracy. The inclusive nature of karate really hit me hard when in the afternoon, the black belts took to the rings. There were black belts from teenagers to 60-somethings, men, women, black, white, Asian and latino. There were fat black belts and skinny black belts. There were as many, if not more, nerd black belts as jock black belts.
While I'm not likely to take up karate, or become a follower of it, I'm glad to see a healthy activity that is so inclusive and enjoyable for so many.
Now that was a first draft. I may be able to polish into something with a little work. How do you develop your writing muscle?
Even the most accomplished writers can continue to build their skills with practice. One writing exercise I use regularly is to write about something I see outside my window. Even better is to go someplace new and describe what you see, or write your impressions of it.
For example last weekend I went to a karate tournament for the first time. What follows, unedited is my actual exercise, done just before hitting the publish button. I hope that in the comments section, you will share exercises you use to sharpen your writing. Here goes.
Karate may be the most democratic thing I've ever encountered. If, like me, your mind's picture of karate has been shaped by television and film, then I don't think we know karate.
Entering the high school gym where the tournament was held was an assault on the senses. It was as loud -- and appeared as organized -- as a cattle stampede. I was a little put off at first. It seemed like chaos, which I'm not a fan of. But, after finding a seat on the bleachers and quieting my mind a bit, the mystery began to dissolve. The gym floor was carved into six rings and there were competitors doing either forms, handling weapons, or fighting, all of which was pretty darned interesting.
Back to democracy. The inclusive nature of karate really hit me hard when in the afternoon, the black belts took to the rings. There were black belts from teenagers to 60-somethings, men, women, black, white, Asian and latino. There were fat black belts and skinny black belts. There were as many, if not more, nerd black belts as jock black belts.
While I'm not likely to take up karate, or become a follower of it, I'm glad to see a healthy activity that is so inclusive and enjoyable for so many.
Now that was a first draft. I may be able to polish into something with a little work. How do you develop your writing muscle?
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Read this story
Growing up I was only vaguely aware of University of Alabama football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant's greatness. Since he died shortly after coaching his final game, I've read a bit more about him. This story by Wright Thompson, senior writer for ESPN is one of the best reads I've seen lately. Enjoy.
T
USCALOOSA, Ala. -- Something important is being lost. Each rising sun takes a little more from the couple who live in the small brick home southwest of downtown. Billy Varner has been married to Susie for 57 years, and as her life was once spent waiting on him to get home from a job that didn't know hours or days off, now it's spent managing his dementia. Each day brings its own reality. On the worst, Billy, who is 76, doesn't recognize Susie. He'll dress in the middle of the night and try to leave, his pajamas rolled up in his hand. Regularly, he refuses to believe that his old boss isn't at home waiting for a ride. Billy was Bear Bryant's driver, bodyguard and valet, one of the few remaining people who knew him as a human being. As Billy's memory fades, that knowledge disappears with it, widening the gulf between truth and imagination.
Billy tells Susie that he talks to the coach. Sometimes Bryant visits.
"Coach Bryant isn't dead," he'll say. "Don't tell me he's dead."
"Billy," Susie tells him, "yes, he is."
T
USCALOOSA, Ala. -- Something important is being lost. Each rising sun takes a little more from the couple who live in the small brick home southwest of downtown. Billy Varner has been married to Susie for 57 years, and as her life was once spent waiting on him to get home from a job that didn't know hours or days off, now it's spent managing his dementia. Each day brings its own reality. On the worst, Billy, who is 76, doesn't recognize Susie. He'll dress in the middle of the night and try to leave, his pajamas rolled up in his hand. Regularly, he refuses to believe that his old boss isn't at home waiting for a ride. Billy was Bear Bryant's driver, bodyguard and valet, one of the few remaining people who knew him as a human being. As Billy's memory fades, that knowledge disappears with it, widening the gulf between truth and imagination.
Billy tells Susie that he talks to the coach. Sometimes Bryant visits.
"Coach Bryant isn't dead," he'll say. "Don't tell me he's dead."
"Billy," Susie tells him, "yes, he is."
Monday, April 30, 2012
Writing as Therapy
I've not posted anything in awhile. This coincided with the diagnosis of a pet's terminal illness. He may be a cat, but he has been a part of my family for nearly 15 years. When he dies, it will hurt and I'll always miss him. Writing about what ails me sometimes helps.
After nightfall in October of 1997, a little girl knocked on the door of the newspaper where I worked, and a photographer unlocked it.
"My grandma says she's going to throw this kitten into the woods, if somebody doesn't take it," the child said.
Newspaper people are notoriously sentimental suckers. The photographer took the box with the kitten in it. Knowing I was new in town and that I had expressed an interest in getting a cat, she called me at home.
I went back into the office, opened the box and saw a tiny gray kitten with black stripes. "Your name is Smokey," I said, picking up the tiny tiger, who fit in my palm.
Nearly 15 years later, that kitten is still my little buddy. And, even when he's gone, he still will be.
There, that felt better.
After nightfall in October of 1997, a little girl knocked on the door of the newspaper where I worked, and a photographer unlocked it.
"My grandma says she's going to throw this kitten into the woods, if somebody doesn't take it," the child said.
Newspaper people are notoriously sentimental suckers. The photographer took the box with the kitten in it. Knowing I was new in town and that I had expressed an interest in getting a cat, she called me at home.
I went back into the office, opened the box and saw a tiny gray kitten with black stripes. "Your name is Smokey," I said, picking up the tiny tiger, who fit in my palm.
Nearly 15 years later, that kitten is still my little buddy. And, even when he's gone, he still will be.
There, that felt better.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Birth of a Column
What we're really talking about here is inspiration. I've never been a big "ideas person." As a journalist, you can put me on a story and I'll unravel every string, even if it takes two years and hundreds of articles to do it. If you're looking for that clever trend, or numbers-tell-the-story piece, I can do those to. But, the idea is not originating in my head.
Columns are a different story, though. Ideas come to me when I don't expect it. They pop up from the back of my mind while I'm in that half-awake stupor sitting on the side of the bed in the morning. Or, they show up while I'm mowing the lawn or fixing a broken toilet.
Back to the headline, this post is really pulling back the curtain on the birth of a column. From idea to done was an hour or less. I think I can sell it to a website for 50 bucks. If so, that's middle management wages in some industries and not bad for a trifle of an idea and a few thousand keystrokes.
So, I was thinking about my upcoming birthday, when I'll turn 50. Then I was thinking about if there were any movies I'd like to see this weekend. The two thoughts collided to produce this: My generation will know it has slipped over the hill when Clooney, Pitt and Cruise can no longer get work.
From that can the idea of how generations have seen their peers in popular culture, rise, age and fall. My column idea is, Aging and Popular Culture. If it sells, I'll put a link here for you to read.
Meanwhile, where do you get your ideas for writing projects? When and how do they come to you. Please share in the comments below.
Next: Writing as Therapy
Columns are a different story, though. Ideas come to me when I don't expect it. They pop up from the back of my mind while I'm in that half-awake stupor sitting on the side of the bed in the morning. Or, they show up while I'm mowing the lawn or fixing a broken toilet.
Back to the headline, this post is really pulling back the curtain on the birth of a column. From idea to done was an hour or less. I think I can sell it to a website for 50 bucks. If so, that's middle management wages in some industries and not bad for a trifle of an idea and a few thousand keystrokes.
So, I was thinking about my upcoming birthday, when I'll turn 50. Then I was thinking about if there were any movies I'd like to see this weekend. The two thoughts collided to produce this: My generation will know it has slipped over the hill when Clooney, Pitt and Cruise can no longer get work.
From that can the idea of how generations have seen their peers in popular culture, rise, age and fall. My column idea is, Aging and Popular Culture. If it sells, I'll put a link here for you to read.
Meanwhile, where do you get your ideas for writing projects? When and how do they come to you. Please share in the comments below.
Next: Writing as Therapy
Friday, April 13, 2012
What the ... ?
Why do adults making millions of dollars write like middle school children when they text? Unbelievable.
This is off topic, but check out the new Braves pricing on tickets in this story. Tickets are lower for a Tuesday game than for a Saturday game. And, outfield seat prices drop according to availability and time. In other words, if you decide at the last minute to check out a game, if there are outfield seats available, you get them at a bargain price. Good ideas.
I never Googled "Save the Syllables," before starting this blog, but did afterward. At the top was this funny piece from the blog The Hedy Experience.
***
This is off topic, but check out the new Braves pricing on tickets in this story. Tickets are lower for a Tuesday game than for a Saturday game. And, outfield seat prices drop according to availability and time. In other words, if you decide at the last minute to check out a game, if there are outfield seats available, you get them at a bargain price. Good ideas.
***
I never Googled "Save the Syllables," before starting this blog, but did afterward. At the top was this funny piece from the blog The Hedy Experience.
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