In “Starting” –which I really was- I wrote, “In short, what I have just determined to do is use these spaces, … Risks understood; good will anticipated. Just that bit of acquiescence. … The writing I’m interested in is my summation in essay genre of personality, and philosophy. … Perhaps, in the end, I simply satisfy that oft-stated imperative, write-for-yourself.” And then I found in another space a piece that had been a rambling thought in my head on a long drive, and that became an “Intermediacy” as it was both connected to the Starting piece, and anticipated future direction. Now I want to get on with it, and begin working on some of these thoughts I’ve laid out. In this entry I will address the quotes above taken from “Starting.’
This set of quotes allows me to begin by noting that I am indeed following my determination to use these spaces. Two things are accomplished in this recognition: I’m patting myself on the back –which I need for self-motivation; and I am indeed writing in the format of personal essay, short as these may be. These are important to a person who has some urge or notion to write but may not have the support and structure that would be granted an established, “money-earning” writer. It no doubt is motivating to know that one will get paid for doing this –or whatever it is one likes to do, and motivating too when others grant the time and facility to write. But for those of us who have determined that we are first and foremost writing for ourselves, there is little we can –or should- expect in the way of motivation. Hence, we need to find ways to pat ourselves on the back.
Now that preceding notion could have been bordering on sniveling; it was not meant as a search for pity. Neither is “acquiescence” a search for pity. Rather it is recognition of what is, and a willingness to accept that condition and live and work within such. In my own case I recognize that the field of writers is fully occupied, and many with years of experience and practice in the craft that have developed their skill level well beyond mine. Because I have other means of support at this time in my life, and have that urge to write, I can do so to satisfy myself. And should I make any contributions to others along the way, I am twice rewarded.
The other aspect to this acquiescence is that of recognizing that “publishing” on the Web may jeopardize potential for paid publication. I call that fair, especially following the prior recognition of slim prospects such publication. That’s risk understood, and with that the hope for good will.
Phew! Perhaps this will allow me now to get on with the subjects of interest: personality and philosophy.
This set of quotes allows me to begin by noting that I am indeed following my determination to use these spaces. Two things are accomplished in this recognition: I’m patting myself on the back –which I need for self-motivation; and I am indeed writing in the format of personal essay, short as these may be. These are important to a person who has some urge or notion to write but may not have the support and structure that would be granted an established, “money-earning” writer. It no doubt is motivating to know that one will get paid for doing this –or whatever it is one likes to do, and motivating too when others grant the time and facility to write. But for those of us who have determined that we are first and foremost writing for ourselves, there is little we can –or should- expect in the way of motivation. Hence, we need to find ways to pat ourselves on the back.
Now that preceding notion could have been bordering on sniveling; it was not meant as a search for pity. Neither is “acquiescence” a search for pity. Rather it is recognition of what is, and a willingness to accept that condition and live and work within such. In my own case I recognize that the field of writers is fully occupied, and many with years of experience and practice in the craft that have developed their skill level well beyond mine. Because I have other means of support at this time in my life, and have that urge to write, I can do so to satisfy myself. And should I make any contributions to others along the way, I am twice rewarded.
The other aspect to this acquiescence is that of recognizing that “publishing” on the Web may jeopardize potential for paid publication. I call that fair, especially following the prior recognition of slim prospects such publication. That’s risk understood, and with that the hope for good will.
Phew! Perhaps this will allow me now to get on with the subjects of interest: personality and philosophy.
No comments:
Post a Comment