Something From Scratch
I recently started rereading Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury. Not exactly sure why I picked it up—other than the possibility that one of my journal explorations about my current writing process reminded me of something from one of his essays.
Even though I'm only a third of the way through it, I can't help but enjoy the sagely stoicism Bradbury exudes. Sometimes his brusque style does trouble me, especially when he casually mentions achievements & name-drops influential people who just happened to give him incredible assists along his way to overcoming obstacles as if his experience could have been anybody's for the taking. As much as I value his ideas, I can't help but nod my head to the fact that he grew up in a bygone era when Buck Rogers was edgy & a writer disregarding genres was a novelty (no pun intended).
Of course, he also wrote during a time when self-publishing as we know it today didn't exist—along with a whole lot more. Aside from both his open willingness to write against the grain of literary norms & his contributions to various genres, what I truly appreciate is his dogged determination & spontaneity. His dedication to writing 1000 words (or a short story) in one day, then sticking to a strict rewriting schedule before sending it off is truly amazing.
Granted, as a successful man of his era, one can imagine his domestic contributions to his wife & family making many today cringe—of course, maybe he was ahead of the curve in that regard as well. But even if that wasn't the case, who's to say future generations won't judge us for being products of our own time?
Anyway, I've decided to revisit my ideas list & start something from scratch & get out of its way a la Bradbury to see where it takes me. Maybe I'll call it My Hat's Off to Ray.
Keep you posted.
Drew
Drew Faraday
Pearl Fields and the Oregon Meltdown
Even though I'm only a third of the way through it, I can't help but enjoy the sagely stoicism Bradbury exudes. Sometimes his brusque style does trouble me, especially when he casually mentions achievements & name-drops influential people who just happened to give him incredible assists along his way to overcoming obstacles as if his experience could have been anybody's for the taking. As much as I value his ideas, I can't help but nod my head to the fact that he grew up in a bygone era when Buck Rogers was edgy & a writer disregarding genres was a novelty (no pun intended).
Of course, he also wrote during a time when self-publishing as we know it today didn't exist—along with a whole lot more. Aside from both his open willingness to write against the grain of literary norms & his contributions to various genres, what I truly appreciate is his dogged determination & spontaneity. His dedication to writing 1000 words (or a short story) in one day, then sticking to a strict rewriting schedule before sending it off is truly amazing.
Granted, as a successful man of his era, one can imagine his domestic contributions to his wife & family making many today cringe—of course, maybe he was ahead of the curve in that regard as well. But even if that wasn't the case, who's to say future generations won't judge us for being products of our own time?
Anyway, I've decided to revisit my ideas list & start something from scratch & get out of its way a la Bradbury to see where it takes me. Maybe I'll call it My Hat's Off to Ray.
Keep you posted.
Drew
Drew Faraday
Pearl Fields and the Oregon Meltdown
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