The most important weapon in a writer’s arsenal is language; wield it with skill and precision. The writing should always speak for itself; never explain; never apologize, but always be willing to edit for clarity. Don’t worry about telling the literal truth; be true to the characters, the story, and the artistic vision. Never consider … Continue reading Writer’s Manifesto (Revised)
Tag: language
Universal Deism
Science shows us what makes up the world around us, but it's not always so concerned with the metaphysical why. Water is a basic building block for life on Earth, for instance. Does it matter why hydrogen and oxygen combine to create water? Was there some sort of divine plan underlying this behavior? A divine … Continue reading Universal Deism
Thought Crime
Beware the savage jaw of 1984. --David Bowie In his novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell presents readers with a society so repressive that even the mere thought of dissent is outlawed. Every citizen has a 24-hour monitoring device, the telescreen, installed in his or her home, and even the English vernacular has been altered to … Continue reading Thought Crime
War of Words
For centuries, those attempting to manipulate the public conscience have understood that appealing to emotions or instincts is far more effective than appealing to intellect. The advertising industry makes a fortune each year manipulating the audience's emotions to sell everything from coffee and toothpaste, to candidates for all levels of public office. In his review … Continue reading War of Words
Cheese Toast
This essay is available in an updated version in Words Words Words, available at online vendors. A few years ago, I set up a photo album on Facebook called "The Cheese Toast Project". On its surface, it appeared to be little more than photos of cheese toast I'd had for breakfast each morning, but my … Continue reading Cheese Toast