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Timely writing: Editor's Notes #369 July 13, 2022 |
| Hello, Remember that for all the books we have in print, are as many that have never reached print, have never been written down…. —Doris Lessing In this issue: 1. Timely writing 2. Tickled my funny bone 3. Interesting Web site 4. Writing prompt 1.Timely writing In the opening quote, Doris Lessing speaks about timely reading. There is also timely writing, writing that is exactly right for you at a specific time. Timely writing must first be writing rooted deeply in the writer’s experience and knowledge. Writing from challenges and struggles allows the writer to go deep into the situations of characters. A moral and emotional authenticity drives the story forward. Because we live in a world teeming with others and are part of that world, what challenges us often also challenges those around us. What is timely for us is also timely for our readers. When we engage in timely writing, then, our writing has a secondary meaning of being timely: writing that is of its time, writing that reflects the concerns of its time. Ironically, often writing that is of its time also has a timeless quality. Shakespeare’s writing comes to mind as an example of timely writing that is also timeless. Sometimes, when our writing seems to fizzle out, the reason could be that it has veered away from its original timeliness. It may have begun in a burst that seemed to be deeply rooted, but then died on the vine. If this happens, put the piece aside. Such writing sometimes sorts itself out later when our subconscious mind untangles the parts that went wrong. Other times, only parts of the original piece is truly timely writing, and giving it a rest leaves the timely parts available to join up with pieces of other writing to combine to make an unexpected whole. =========== 2.Tickled my funny bone Sometimes I wake up grumpy; other times I let her sleep. =========== 3. Interesting Web site I’ve given some of the contemporary writing advice mentioned in this article to many people. I’ve written about some of it in Editor’s Notes. The article is a cautionary note about going overboard on some stylistic conventions of our time. What do you think? https://charlesschifano.substack.com/p/the-problem-with-contemporary-writing =========== 4. Writing prompt Write about time. Set a timer for 5 minutes. Go! =========== Join Writer's Helper Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WritersHelperEditor Follow me on Twitter @AudreytheEditor Link on LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/audreyowen (Email me first so I know how you know me.) =========== If you know a writer who would appreciate receiving Editor's Notes, forward this issue. If someone has passed this on to you, you can get your own free subscription by signing up at https://www.writershelper.com/newsletter.html |
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