I always enjoyed Roger Ebert’s reviews, viewed on his TV shows, “Siskel & Ebert” and then “Ebert & Roeper”. Then he became very ill and there was a vacuum. The show, now; eh.
But as I discovered a short while ago, he’s started blogging. And his words are a pleasure to read. He crafts words and sculpts ideas. RSS-subscribe to his blog, if you wish.
In May, I began to sense a change going on. At first it was subjective. This autumn it has become undeniable. My writing has improved.
By that I don’t mean it’s objectively better from the reader’s point of view. I mean it has expanded within my mind, reaches deeper, emerges more clearly, is more satisfactory. Sometimes I glory in it–not the quality of the prose, but the quality of the experience. I find myself writing more, because I will return to that zone longer.
I take dictation from that place within my mind that knows what to say. I think most good writers do. There is no such thing as waiting for inspiration. The idea of “diagramming” an essay in advance, as we are taught in school, may be useful to students but is foolishness for any practicing writer. The Muse visits during the process of creation, not before.
This is 100% logical to me: there is much of a needed and forward-looking nature that can be done with federal funds, and I’d rather it go to this.
That means putting two million Americans to work rebuilding our crumbling roads, bridges, and schools. It means investing $150 billion to build an American green energy economy that will create five million new jobs, while freeing our nation from the tyranny of foreign oil, and saving our planet for our children.
Yesterday a lot of American people voted. More than have voted in decades. In some areas, up to 80% of those eligible. That is a beautiful thing.
Yesterday a certain Mr. Bennett had nothing to say but that he would pray for Mr. Obama and the country. And a few moments later, another “commentator” (a strange job title, once you think of it) said — a couple of times — that only the most ungracious person would fail to note the historic moment we are experiencing. And that was a good thing.
Yesterday a person of color was elected President of the United States. When I voted for him it wasn’t because of his color, but I think it especially pleasing that an old totem (only mature white men can be in positions of power) has been shown to be diminished. I have nothing against mature white men per se; it’s just that they’re not the only slice of pie in the demographic. This is a very hopeful thing.
Yesterday I listened to an acceptance speech that didn’t try to make me feel good and fuzzy and warm and placated. I listened to one that challenged me, that made me know that I have to live in the same world with and get along with those with whom I disagree, that told me that there’d be hard work and hard decisions ahead, that told me I wouldn’t always get what I want but that I’d hear the truth and I’d be listened to. That I’d hear the truth, even if it’s not pretty or what I want to hear, and I’d be listened to. And through the tears that well in my eyes because I’ve been waiting so long, I know this is a needed thing.
Appended: a couple of the most interesting articles from this a.m.:
