Baron provides examples of "a better pencil." What does he mean by the concept, and how might that impact style? Consider what your approach to your final course paper might be and how Baron's ideas relate to it.
I have enjoyed reading Baron's accounts of how the technologies of writing have evolved. I was reminded of how fascinated I was as I studied language development in classes in my master's program as my young daughter was learning to talk, putting concepts with words. It's fascinating stuff that we don't think about once they know how to talk.
I know I take for granted many things... electricity, clean water right out of the faucet, hot water for a shower -- whenever I want it, e-mail, the freezer so I can have ice for a cold drink. I hadn't thought of taking for granted the fact that I can move around and have a writing utensil at my fingertips (literally) where ever I need it. I had to stop and think what it might be like if I had to prepare my area for writing, get the quills ready and sharp, and make sure I have a safe place to set the ink bottle. I wonder how many documents were ruined when the ink bottle tipped -- ink everywhere. Maybe it is how we feel now when we delete on accident. I think I usually cry first and then just get mad.
I do still prepare my "spot" for writing, though. I often do best with piano music in the background (Jim Brickman style), M&M's in a dish (so I don't eat the entire bad), and something to drink--unsweetened tea is good.
The idea that using a pencil to write because it forces pause and therefore produces better writing seems like a stretch to me. I had to make myself to learn how to compose on the keyboard, but now I can type SO much faster than I can write, it gets frustrating when I have to write something out long-hand. I think typing helps me get my thoughts on paper faster. True, I delete about 50% of what I ever begin with (blogs excluded!), but to have the thoughts on the page is a very large part of getting to the final product.
I would like to begin thinking about my approach to my final paper, but right now, I do not have a good grasp on what the exact assignment is for that. I am hoping we discuss more in class. Honestly, and I would say this to only these "geeky" English-language-loving people who enjoy a lively conversation about metaphors (we did, yes?), that I am looking forward to spending time in the TTU library doing research soon! :) Though the online research does take something away from actually being IN the library among the stacks, being able to actually touch and smell those books.
Later,
~Rhonda
I think that if I had to sharpen quills and prepare paper with powders and inks every time I was going to sit down and write, I would have become a mechanic instead. You're right--we take it so much for granted, this ease and seeming transparency in our writing technology. It affords so many writing practices that we barely even think about any more. (Sometimes that may be a little TOO unfortunate!) :)
ReplyDeleteGood stuff, Rhonda.
I'm still stuck in the "betweens" desperately wanting to do all of my composing on the keyboard, but finding comfort in the pencil at times! It would be so much faster if I could just type away! I agree that the use of a pencil certainly doesn't create better writing because of the pace one is forced to write with, but sometimes when I write more slowly, I'm able to "pre-revise" as I go. I catch more, earlier when I write long-hand (as least that's what I tell myself to make me feel better when I can't compose on the computer!)
ReplyDeleteAs far as your library comment goes, I agree 100%. I don't think I could give up computer access to research materials simply because of convenience. But I love taking students to the library, showing them how to find a book in the stacks, and sitting down on the floor to look at the contents, index, etc. to assess the value of the source for their project.
Nice post!
Chris, Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteDon't forget those little boys who would dip the girls' pigtails in the inkwell.
I actually remember cartridge pens and ink disasters all over my fingers. The first decent ballpoint pen was born the same year I was but the older styles hung around for a while. See http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa101697.htm
Hey Rhonda, I loved how you described getting into your "writing zone". It's a vital part of the process, I think. Other parts, for me, include: percolating and mulling. Both things I find easier to do with an appropriate doodling instrument. ;)
ReplyDeleteI also wonder if you find writing with a pen/pencil better for absorbing information and analyzing it. If I write something down (notes for class, even blog ideas) by hand, I'm more like to absorb it, remember it, find holes in my ideas, etc. Better muscle memory, perhaps?
The concept of writing, too, is something that we often take for granted. We compose in our heads (I believe, at least), in such a way that is linguistically formed by--in part--our external writing experiences. Might call it a sort of memory. We construct thoughts in some way similar to the way in which we construct sentences or phrases that we have read or written or experienced orally but through a linguistic memory.
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