Beauty Perseveres

Driving down a very busy road today, I caught a flash of pale pink along the curb. I expected to see litter, a piece of trash carelessly discarded. But, a second glance revealed something rare. A group of wildflowers in full bloom sprouted from a seam in the pavement. What a wonderful surprise to find beauty in the gutter!

The written word can amaze in a similar manner. I don't know about yours, but my first drafts look more like sewage than botany. Spelling errors, typos, grammar guffaws, and thought hiccups litter many a manuscript in the early stages. Don't be too quick to ditch them, though.

Always take a second glance at your writing. Of course, correct mistakes, but can any apparent blunder transform into splendor? Carefully consider every word when revising. Beauty can persevere!

Temporary Blog Delay

Dear Friends,

My mother unexpectedly passed away late Saturday night. I am taking a few days away from the blog, but will have a new post for you as soon as I can.

Meanwhile, I covet your prayers!

Thank you,
Jodi

Minimalist Revival

In the early part of the 20th century, the Minimalist Movement marked a certain style of art and literature (poetry). I think I'd have been a successful minimalist, because I'm very good at cutting and reducing, being efficient with the written word.

Minimalist style involved not only the use of the fewest words possible, but the most succinct application of imagery imaginable. I love this example:

"Missing" by George Swede

M SS NG

Thiiief!

I think perhaps it is time to revive the Minimalist Movement. At least keep it in mind when you write query letters and pitch agents and editors, because in those moments, you'll need to be able to summarize your entire work in one sentence. You will need to be efficient with words and succinct with presentation. You'll want to produce a poetic image in the mind of your audience that makes them yearn for what you haven't said - the rest of the story.

In an Ezra Pound essay on his "In a Station of the Metro", he says, "A Chinaman said long ago that if a man can’t say what he has to say in twelve lines he had better keep quiet." Choose your words wisely.