WRITING: The Long Haul

Some thoughts on yesterday, and writing.

Spinning was a part of our New Media discussion in class, as weblogs are a fine example of combining the elements of layering graphics, text, audio, etc. together within the structure of digitalized modularity.  It is a fairly new form of communication between humans, encouraging growth in learning computer manipulation of text and graphics, as well as offering a portal to those who simply want to dabble without getting involved in html, design, or any of the other opportunities the new open-door policy of the internet offers everyone.

Why did I get started on a weblog:  Because I am a writer, and this was something that was suggested as an outlet and a journey of discovery by my English professor.  It started out as mostly literary essays, ideas, and snippets of creative writing.  As I personally came to feel it’s power of communication as well as its opportunities to develop in other areas beyond simple writing, I learned and explored.  I myself believe that it has not just improved my style and helped me find my voice by daily input, it has changed both me and what I produce tremendously.

Now I take a step in time a few years back–not so far back that I wasn’t writing creatively, but to a time when I thought I was. Pure crap.  Nicely expressed maybe, but without substance.  Writing to me, prior to any real formal study of literature, was considered a natural skill combined with a good command of the language and attention to grammar rules.  Visual arts were as well considered to be a case of talent–you have it, or you don’t, and you are allowed to "cheat" by learning how to mix paints to produce something other than olive green.

And learning is not just applicable to the arts.  You can hand someone a chainsaw and send them out to cut down a tree, but he/she may just end up killing themself in the process.  There’s a method to it.  There’s also something far beyond the cutting; there’s carving wood into an art form.  It all depends on how far you want to wander down the path.

There’s a writer I know who cannot seem to wander further down the path without taking baby steps and turning back several times.  Someone who has the concepts, creativity, desire and talent, but who is suspicious of the rules.  How I want to take them by the hand and drag them down the road a ways; the very way I needed to be dragged, or pushed, grumbling and often protesting loudly.  It’s often hard to be openminded about your passion, to accept advice, to accept structuring of creativity in particular.  This is where the patience and unselfishness of instruction is a gift and offered by experience and willingness to teach. 

Not everyone has the personality to impart knowledge.  Some spend lifetimes learning, but with the purpose in mind to learn, not to share.  Nothing wrong with this; by its very nature of self-improvement, it cannot help but affect others.  But how does one learn to inspire those who have the ability but stubbornly adhere to beliefs; to guide them to the gates and push them through.  While it may be unwise or even cruel to overly encourage someone who plans upon depending upon a skill (and dangerous, for example: a wannabe brain surgeon who faints at the sight of blood or has the steady hands of grade 7 volcanic activity), in the arts, no knowledge is wasted.  I doubt that anyone has ever been emotionally warped or financially ruined by encouragement in writing skills, being told they write well.  (My biggest fear is that I truly don’t write anywhere near as well as I sometimes want to believe I do). We can all benefit from becoming better writers, I’m sure, as it will never become a discarded skill.  So, while no students should be discouraged, since so much of what is learnable is going to improve even the least talented but inspired, it’s got to be especially frustrating to light the fire under the self-satisfied and stubborn talent, who is in truth, no more likely to be successful at the craft than one with no real sense of creativity but having a toolbelt of skill firmly buckled in place.