Those Who Can’t, Do
In the hard disciplines (math, science, etc.), no one disputes that there are different skill levels, required training, measurable results, and the need for lengthy apprenticeships. Even in music and art, it is accepted that there must be some level of training and development. Yet it seems as if everyone who can string letters together thinks that that is all that is required to be a writer. Let's face it, the majority of people who consider themselves writers these days don't write - they just type.
For those of us who make somewhat of a living from this business of writing, it is incredibly frustrating to see those people who write reams and reams of blather but, when asked, can't name the last book they read. For some reason, this is especially prevalent among self-titled poets. Writers MUST be readers. This is not just out of courtesy and to ensure one's own audience, but also because there is no better way to improve your own writing than by absorbing what you do and don't like. The urge for expression simply isn't enough to make you good. You wouldn't allow a doctor to operate on you without a basic understanding of anatomy, would you? So how is it that many so-called writers are proud of saying that they don't read much? I'll never understand that.
It's not just about finding a voice, although that is an important reason to read as much and as widely as you can if you want to be a true writer. It's also about learning the way language flows and understanding the connections words have to one another. Proofreading is a lost art these days, and while there are rudimentary computer tools to catch the most egregious errors, they are still unable to catch the true nuances of language.
For example, I'm sitting here right now looking at an artist bio that came with a review copy of his recent CD. It's a shame that his record company (a major independent label) is paying this publicist, because while her intentions are good, this biography is riddled with factual and grammatical errors. I could chide her for having no flow, but the fact that none of the three paragraphs, nor the discography, is free of error disturbs me more. What happened to professionalism, fact-checking, and simple literacy?
The Internet encourages this shoddiness with its abundance of message boards, once hailed as the saviours of the written word. The theory went that the more people posted, the better their expressive skills would become. Unfortunately, I think everyone reading this knows how far short of that mark the average board junkie falls, as is evidenced by the sort of person who posts things like "I couldn't even be bothered to read that because it was too long. Three paragraphs is practically a novel." I suppose my standards are higher, and perhaps unattainable these days.
There are posters who actually think before they write and do so with clarity, accuracy, and even wit. However, the one place where message boards actually shine is in the rapid-fire delivery of one-liners - the popcorn of humour. Forgive me for wanting a real meal - a moveable feast of words that gives me food for thought and ideas to chew on for days. I salute those who approach their posting with that aim. Sadly, it is one that, these days, even the so-called professionals rarely achieve.
by
Marie Braden
