Form before content puts it succinctly. Maybe, in this space, you will reprint Novels and Dreams, which I printed out ages ago (it seems). I underlined this sentence. " To have read enough to feel the oceanic movement of events and ideas in history; to have experienced enough to escape the confines of a personal provincialism; to have distanced yourself enough from your hang-ups and pettiness to create words reflecting the emotional complexity of minds beyond your own......" We try.
I love this. And I have always appreciated your ability to give articulation to the more intuitive aspects of writing. A writer might stumble on this development while writing narrative, feeling expansive in the moment but not realizing that the inspiration can become codified technique. A tool. Always helpful, your words, Douglas. Thank you.
Elaboration
Form before content puts it succinctly. Maybe, in this space, you will reprint Novels and Dreams, which I printed out ages ago (it seems). I underlined this sentence. " To have read enough to feel the oceanic movement of events and ideas in history; to have experienced enough to escape the confines of a personal provincialism; to have distanced yourself enough from your hang-ups and pettiness to create words reflecting the emotional complexity of minds beyond your own......" We try.
Much appreciated, Doug. So clearly expressed and so helpful. Your writing on writing is the finest out there.
I love this. And I have always appreciated your ability to give articulation to the more intuitive aspects of writing. A writer might stumble on this development while writing narrative, feeling expansive in the moment but not realizing that the inspiration can become codified technique. A tool. Always helpful, your words, Douglas. Thank you.