Nicely written and good advice. Advice, the smallest coin of the realm. I happen to write using a lot of texture and descriptive words. I definitely try to avoid clichés, but saying something like 'the sun rose despite the weight of the night' is not that bad. Especially if you are writing a murder "noir" style mystery. I happen to like Chandler and Hammett. A little flowery affection to describe the vibe and texture is good for the soul. As for poetry. I life well lived is a poem; being able to describe it is a gift. Anyway, your teacher made his point. I just happen to disagree with it.
My prof’s favorite author was Chandler! And I love Ray Bradbury. What I meant by “flowery” was not “descriptive” (in fact, what I am arguing for is descriptive!) but rather descriptions with lots of words that don’t produce any concrete images (or sensory detail).
I took a break from reading Maggie Smith's book Dear Writer and came across this post, which seems intentional, like I should be writing instead or something. haha Also, this line is great - "When nature becomes optional (there is a farmer tilling the soil somewhere, but most of us sit in front of our laptops in ergonomic office chairs) it is viewed as some prehistoric artifact, *where camping is like a trip to a museum*..." such a good comparison that makes me think. :) Thanks for writing!
Saving this. I had this image of running in mind the other day. Specifically, ““And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”
Habakkuk 2:2
Running is feet to ground in a regular rhythm that makes you sort of fly. But you have to touch the ground regularly, rhythmically to really take off. Since reading your piece at Mere Orthodoxy I find myself saying, “Touch the ground,” while I’m writing.
Well done, friend.
Love it!!
Nicely written and good advice. Advice, the smallest coin of the realm. I happen to write using a lot of texture and descriptive words. I definitely try to avoid clichés, but saying something like 'the sun rose despite the weight of the night' is not that bad. Especially if you are writing a murder "noir" style mystery. I happen to like Chandler and Hammett. A little flowery affection to describe the vibe and texture is good for the soul. As for poetry. I life well lived is a poem; being able to describe it is a gift. Anyway, your teacher made his point. I just happen to disagree with it.
My prof’s favorite author was Chandler! And I love Ray Bradbury. What I meant by “flowery” was not “descriptive” (in fact, what I am arguing for is descriptive!) but rather descriptions with lots of words that don’t produce any concrete images (or sensory detail).
Dang, that was good, Rachel.
I took a break from reading Maggie Smith's book Dear Writer and came across this post, which seems intentional, like I should be writing instead or something. haha Also, this line is great - "When nature becomes optional (there is a farmer tilling the soil somewhere, but most of us sit in front of our laptops in ergonomic office chairs) it is viewed as some prehistoric artifact, *where camping is like a trip to a museum*..." such a good comparison that makes me think. :) Thanks for writing!
Saving this. I had this image of running in mind the other day. Specifically, ““And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”
Habakkuk 2:2
Running is feet to ground in a regular rhythm that makes you sort of fly. But you have to touch the ground regularly, rhythmically to really take off. Since reading your piece at Mere Orthodoxy I find myself saying, “Touch the ground,” while I’m writing.