"Writing experimentally" is a grand objective. That said, I noticed something about your Signal today. With few exceptions, you don't use adverbs -- this is good.
Verbs are honest, the stronger the better. Adjectives are useful, but should be served up in moderation, with caution. Adverbs are a sign of dissembling, thus to be rooted out.
Writing constitutes a bridge. From the cacophony in our brain to the chatter in our reader's. Made coherent by anticipating the capacity of our reader to let us in.
Alan, thank you for the kind words, and for the thoughts -- a nice Thanksgiving surprise! I say "surprise" because I've not consciously thought about my own writing, or parts of speech, in those terms -- worth thinking about, and so thank you.
With regard to dissembling: I started Intermittent Signal to distribute work, almost all of which I give away -- connect, build a bridge, as you say. My desire to connect is sincere. Apart from links to work, I've fallen into the habit of writing a short expression of the moment. I'm not sure what to call these pieces. "Essay" is not quite right. Whatever we call it, I want to give a somewhat poetic form to a sort of existential consciousness. It is hard. In either case, I've felt no temptation to dissemble -- much of life requires dissembling. But not here. Maybe I should put this in the next newsletter. :)
Bert,
"Writing experimentally" is a grand objective. That said, I noticed something about your Signal today. With few exceptions, you don't use adverbs -- this is good.
Verbs are honest, the stronger the better. Adjectives are useful, but should be served up in moderation, with caution. Adverbs are a sign of dissembling, thus to be rooted out.
Writing constitutes a bridge. From the cacophony in our brain to the chatter in our reader's. Made coherent by anticipating the capacity of our reader to let us in.
In thanks and appreciation,
Alan
Alan, thank you for the kind words, and for the thoughts -- a nice Thanksgiving surprise! I say "surprise" because I've not consciously thought about my own writing, or parts of speech, in those terms -- worth thinking about, and so thank you.
With regard to dissembling: I started Intermittent Signal to distribute work, almost all of which I give away -- connect, build a bridge, as you say. My desire to connect is sincere. Apart from links to work, I've fallen into the habit of writing a short expression of the moment. I'm not sure what to call these pieces. "Essay" is not quite right. Whatever we call it, I want to give a somewhat poetic form to a sort of existential consciousness. It is hard. In either case, I've felt no temptation to dissemble -- much of life requires dissembling. But not here. Maybe I should put this in the next newsletter. :)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.