One of the freebies you can get from Google is a yellow, sticky-note thingy for your desktop. I use it to jot notes to myself about appointments, shopping reminders and, occasionally, ideas for a column or blog post.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote this note:
A great writer doesn't let truth, facts, or heck, even reality, interfere with formulating and expressing an opinion.
For those who don't know me, the above was written tongue-in-cheek. Pretty much.
I mean, I know I'm not a great writer but I'm pretty good. The note would lack a certain panache though if it was: "A pretty good writer doesn't let ..." etc. It's hyperbole which, if you remember your Grade 10 English, is a literary device by which pretty good writers pretend to be great ones. Or something. I might be a bit fuzzy on the definition. I think I was away that day.
Anyway, like improvisational acting, off-the-top-of-the-head writing isn't for everyone. Most, (dare I say "lesser?") writers prefer to think before writing. I've always considered thinking to be a waste of time. I mean, why bother thinking when you could be accomplishing something instead?
It's a no-brainer.
16 comments:
Aaahhh! I was thinking too much. I knew something was wrong! I just found your blog from AW, and have really enjoyed your writing. We are hoping to move to Toronto from Australia in the next year or so. Your photos are very enticing. It was 38C here a couple of days ago.
Hi emma. I hope you'll enjoy Toronto. I don't live too far away from there although I'm more of a small-town mouse.
Thanks for dropping by.
Frank,
What?
My outdoor writer mentor uses this tagline; The Facts Outweigh The Truth.
Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story. This is very similar to what you say in your post.
Like you, he too advised me a long time ago; “Don’t think to hard what you want to write about it. Just let it roll out and onto the paper. Thinkers don’t write much, because they are too worried what they want to write about.
Thanks for giving me the same advice, so it must be true then.
-Othmar Vohringer-
Unique,
Exactly.
Yes, one can definitely do too much thinking Othmar.
Some people will insist I could do a little more though ....
;)
There's always "Bullshit Baffles Brains."
Bernita...huh?
;)
I'm thinking too much about my dentist appointment in 2 weeks, this kind of thinking makes me feel sick. your sister Lisa
Lisa, Lisa, Lisa. Have you not been paying attention to me over the years?
Don't be making appointments that make you sick with dread! Simply wait until the pain is unbearable and then call for an emergency appointment! Usually some dentist or another can see you within an hour or two.
You're welcome dear. :)
Just my version of your advice, Frank. It's how I got through college.
Yeah, I know Bernita. My "huh" illustrated how easy it is to baffle mine. ;)
Re your advice to your sister.. that's how you scheduled your heart attack, isn't it? "It's just a hernia.. really.. just a hernia.. it is ONLY a hernia.. ok NOW it's a heart attack!"
Lisa, don't listen to him. :)
q, you're such a buzzkill, what with your insistence on injecting reality into EVERY conversation.
;)
q is so right...you go pique ;)
eraser what's this about yellow stickies from google? you're confusing me. i reckon you've been spending too much time with fluffy and you've both cross-infected each other or something with the confusion bug...
I'll send you a link Althea. :)
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