I love words. I'm enthralled with the mystery of language - how the particular arrangement of a few sounds can produce ecstasy, puzzlement, laughter, or a life-changing insight. I'm also saddened by the fact that so many people don't realize that their words can produce death - loss of joy, confusion, death of a dream, solitude, despair. Proverbs says that "death and life are in the power of the tongue." (I need to always remember that, especially when interacting with children and young folks. )The power of words is also part of the challenge and joy of writing.
Last week I had the privilege of teaching a mini-writing refresher to a handful of high schoolers, and I was reminded of why I love this so much! Of course, the understood goal was that they would have a stronger grasp of the elements of good composition at the end of it, but the perk was that, along the way, some of them actually began to glimpse the possibility of enjoying the process! It is the coolest thing in the world to watch young men or women discover that ideas and feelings are "at their command", so to speak. Words become something more than air vibrations. It's humbling to be present when a student discovers his or her own voice in writing. For me, it's almost like assisting at the birth of child!
I hope each of you is able to take the time to notice the beauty in the spoken and written word at some point today. This is as important to our well-being as the beauty of the natural world is. If you have young children, find stories or poems that evoke delight and enjoy them with your children. Play word games; laugh at their puns. Learn a new word each week that has delightful sounds. (Beatrix Potter's books are excellent in this regard for little ones!) If they have a foundational love of language, growing into writing should be a delight for them.
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Commonplaces
I finished a fascinating book yesterday entitled The Shallows by Nicholas Carr. The subtitle is "What the Internet is Doing to Our Brain", but it not just an anti-Web tirade. Mr. Carr chronicles the history of man's quest to communicate and how the changes over time (invention of the alphabet, printing press, etc.) impacted culture. As he explores the development of the Internet, he brings in relevant research about the inner workings of the brain. I honestly couldn't put this book down, and there are many topics he introduced that I want to explore.
One thing that caught my eye was his mention of the use of "commonplaces" as a help for memory and thought. These were basically what we might call journals -- notebooks for recording quotes, ideas, or questions about what a person was reading. The idea of recording these sorts of things was suggested first (as far as we know) by Erasmus in 1512. Because of his habit of writing down excerpts from things he read, he was able to memorize an amazing amount of classical literature.
This amazing feat of memorization was not what grabbed my attention, though. It was the connection between the habit of "journaling" and the creation of thought. Taking time to write down quotes as well as responses to ideas begins the process of thinking deeply. In fact, Francis Bacon wrote that working consistently in a commonplace "supplies matter to invention".
Today there are beautiful notebooks available in bookstores everywhere. Sadly, most of us don't have (or take) the time to sit and write down much beyond a to-do list. However, I do think we've kept the idea of the commonplace and transferred it to a digital format -- the blog! As I've perused blogs over the past few years, I've found myself gravitating to those that are more like commonplaces. I enjoy reading snippets of reading, hearing another person's reaction to or questions about about what they're reading, and following the comments that often serve as a sort of conversation about the ideas.
So be prepared! I have a lot to process from Carr's book, and I'll be doing some of that here. If you enjoy being part of the process or conversation, pour a cup of tea and join me.
Blessings,
Linda
One thing that caught my eye was his mention of the use of "commonplaces" as a help for memory and thought. These were basically what we might call journals -- notebooks for recording quotes, ideas, or questions about what a person was reading. The idea of recording these sorts of things was suggested first (as far as we know) by Erasmus in 1512. Because of his habit of writing down excerpts from things he read, he was able to memorize an amazing amount of classical literature.
This amazing feat of memorization was not what grabbed my attention, though. It was the connection between the habit of "journaling" and the creation of thought. Taking time to write down quotes as well as responses to ideas begins the process of thinking deeply. In fact, Francis Bacon wrote that working consistently in a commonplace "supplies matter to invention".
Today there are beautiful notebooks available in bookstores everywhere. Sadly, most of us don't have (or take) the time to sit and write down much beyond a to-do list. However, I do think we've kept the idea of the commonplace and transferred it to a digital format -- the blog! As I've perused blogs over the past few years, I've found myself gravitating to those that are more like commonplaces. I enjoy reading snippets of reading, hearing another person's reaction to or questions about about what they're reading, and following the comments that often serve as a sort of conversation about the ideas.
So be prepared! I have a lot to process from Carr's book, and I'll be doing some of that here. If you enjoy being part of the process or conversation, pour a cup of tea and join me.
Blessings,
Linda
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