There is not a human, alive, dead, or yet to live who can write a perfect work of literature. For words themselves fall vastly short of perfection and at best very feebly express those things come natural for us to feel so strongly. We can only do our very best, and perhaps then do a little better - as we can - and then maybe even a little better when more time passes. But this present excess of imperfection is no reason not to try today. In fact, if we don't try now, we will only later make the same mistakes that might make us better today.
Writing a story is like living your life. You really don't know at all how it will end, or what twists and turns will come. You can only keep typing and hold on tight. You can only keep on breathing, live and hopefully find a way to enjoy the journey.
For while it will never end the exactly the way you first or ever wanted it to, the ending isn't what it's all about; it's about the joy we feel when we stand upon the cusp of the unknown and take that next step blindly. Such is the spirit of every true adventurer in history and lore: Carpe Diem!
"For words themselves fall vastly short of perfection and at best very feebly express those things come natural for us to feel so strongly."
ReplyDeleteI have never really thought about this. I've heard the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" but never did I consciously realize that it's also saying that "words are not enough." It's really a very fascinating thought. I know how to live my life, experience emotions, wonder about things, have dreams, but I can't always describe that in words to someone else. They almost have to have experienced it for themselves to truely understand. It can't come from mere words.
I'm laughing now, because I always lecture on the power of words; how easily they can make someone brighten or make them hurt. I still believe they are powerful, but now I realize that power is limited. Very interesting post :)
Thanks for the feedback Aubrie!
ReplyDeleteI think this post is somewhat hyperbolic - which is strangely fitting, because of my inability to communicate both my passion for the subject and the strictly sober truthful facts of the matter simultaneously. There is of course so much more to the relationship between us, language, and life. There are boring subtitles, subtleties, and sub-par days, weeks, and sometimes even decades.
There are also moments of clarity, when we can say or write just exactly what we mean, and humanity's universal life experiences wondrously fill in the gaps where language falls short.
Exactly! Our experiences must fill in where words can not.
ReplyDeleteOf course, it's wonderful when your audience does this without you even intending for them to do so, but it's absolutley amazing when a writer does this consciously, giving us just enough info to get our brains turning and allow our imaginations to flesh it out.
In my next book review I talk about how much a plot suffers because the author suffocates it to death, forcing every detail, exploring every corner with his words instead of allowing his audience to do parts of that for them. He restricted himself so efficiently that it hurt the story.
What a thought, huh?
Very interesting, I look forward to reading the review!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'll let you know when its uo.
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't know where to ask this, but this seems like my best bet of getting an answer...How did you get the follow me on Twitter gadget? I haven't been able to find one.
I fought a horde of screaming goblins for it. But if aren't feeling particularly adventurous just click on the "resources" link on your Twitter page and skip that first part.
ReplyDelete