Thursday, November 10, 2016

A Real Writer's Duty

Zestful Blog Post #184

These days when extraordinary, historic events occur, everybody becomes a writer. Social media enables all of us to spew impassioned opinions—joy, outrage, elation, despair—if we want to. And so many do. And free speech is great.

But a real writer of either fiction or nonfiction takes a much longer and deeper view of human affairs and human nature than most people.


A real writer is more curious than defensive. A real writer explores. A real writer is ready to be surprised. A real writer never panics. A real writer knows the world is in the work.

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7 comments:

  1. The world is in the work. That's the challenge, getting writing friends to embrace this, when they feel the new "order" could open it's maws and swallow their lives whole.

    I wonder if this works best with writers who write - no - matter - what.

    Bright spot: going to Jane Friedman's blog this AM and seeing your pic as one of the featured writers who follow her on FB.

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  2. It's amazing how many are out there raising Cain, throwing words at the disappointment they feel, the hurt, the anger. I can't do that. I guess I am more introspective. I very rarely cry in front of anyone else, so I wouldn't spew words now in the public forum that I might want to take back later.

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  3. Hey Cordia and BJ! Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, I suppose the more immersed one is in work, the better to deal with change of any kind. Also, I might note that a real writer isn't a drama queen (a term, BTW, that can be applied to either sex)...

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  4. OTOH, you may have started something with a "real writer." Better to write drama, than be it?

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  5. “Examine every word you put on paper. You'll find a surprising number that don’t serve any purpose.”
    ―William Zinsser, On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

    Substitute "The Internet" for "paper" and think about it.

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  6. I like how you (and Zinsser) think, Tricia! Thanks for stopping in.

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