The Art Site

Thursday, April 29, 2010

the art of writing

It's a challenge isn't it. To produce a clever, interesting and well structured piece of writing is a herculean feat for most people, unattainable for many.

Why is it so hard? Our thoughts flow easily, even entertainingly in our own minds, but when it comes to typing them out, more often than not they seem commonplace and flat. When asked to write an essay, minds blank out - the demand for a thoughtful, succinct and structured line of thought seems too much to ask.
So what is the magic formulae? How did Shakespeare pen his dreamy sonatas, or Milton his epic Paradise Lost, or Dickens think up such complicated and fascinating plots, or Hugo write his Gothic Hunchback of Notre Dame? And how does Austen manipulate her texts to flow so well, and sparkle so brilliantly with well-timed wit?
As Austen's heroine, Elizabeth Bennett said, on her skill of piano playing: "I have always supposed it to be my own fault- because I would not take the trouble of practising..."(Ch. 31)

Because that's what good writing is. Each piece, each paragraph and pithy line is usually the result of years of practicing writing, most of which is rubbish. The result is literature that lives on.

Do you like writing? What do like writing about, and do you ever dream of writing a novel one day?

2 Comments:

Blogger Cinnamey said...

I've tagged you!

http://memyselfyandi.blogspot.com/2010/04/awarded.html

And yes, I enjoy writing. Loads. Which you know. =)

11:40 pm  
Blogger Lydie said...

Aww, thanks Isa.

Yep, I know you like writing! I'd like an installment in that story I was reading about a while ago.. the one about the princess, and the brother who knows some interesting magic..

12:28 am  

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