Oct 17, 2022Β·edited Oct 17, 2022Liked by Matt Zamudio
John Steinbeck. I first read him more than forty years ago, after he had died (so not even new writing then). The depth, clarity and simplicity he achieved with very basic English astounded me. Steinbeck did not seem to want to impress the reader, he wanted to communicate. He had something to say. Re-read recently, his ability to formulate multi-layered complex threads of information in short bursts of simple language, leaves me, with my tendency to digress off piste constantly, in awe. It's still so fresh. Like a cowboy of few words, yet words chosen perfectly. He'd clean up on Twitter.
This comment was a pleasure to read. Looks like Steinbeck has rubbed off on you somewhat, because this was simple yet cutting. Thanks for mentioning an author I omitted. Steinbeck is absolutely someone who was doing "new" things, both stylistically and with the subject matter of his stories. I admittedly need to read more Steinbeck, but one stylistic choice of his that I still think about today? Of Mice and Men is written in the style of a play. Each chapter begins by setting the scene. Here's the beginning of chapter two:
"THE bunk house was a long, rectangular building. Inside, the
walls were whitewashed and the floor unpainted. In three walls
there were small, square windows, and in the fourth, a solid door
with a wooden larch. Against the walls were eight bunks, five of
them made up with blankets and the other three showing their
burlap ticking. Over each bunk there was nailed an apple box with
the opening forward so that it made two shelves for the personal
belongings of the occupant of the bunk. And these shelves were
loaded with little articles soap and talcum powder, razors and
those Western magazines ranch men love to read and scoff at and
secretly believe."
This was very new for me, and it made for a very clean and pattern-based method of storytelling, which only served to highlight the drama even more.
Thanks again for this thoughtful comment. Have a great one.
Obviously I never read him in his native language, only the translations. This man mastered the vignette. Somehow, within a few pages, he was able to immerse you in someone else's world totally, like you were there with them. Personally I don't know of another writer with such a developed ability, to capture such a vibrant and all-inclusive snapshot so rapidly. This ability to leave such a strong impression of a contemporary eastern European person's life story, for me, when I first read Kundera in the mid-80's, was very new, and useful. His shared experience helped me better understand the world I was living in, especially that people everywhere are more or less the same.
Thanks for your posts, Matt, they make me think.
Now back to my day, I need to get my fridge repaired. Lol!
e?e. cummings did away with capitals. Texting is doing away with punctuation IMHO as well as nuance but who cares about punctuation anyway just some old grannies with horn rimmed cats eye glasses I mean really
e.e. cummings is a great example! There is certainly a writer who still comes off as modern today. As you mention, he may have even had some part in inventing modern text lingo, grammar, spelling, and punctuation (or lack thereof).
It would make it easy for the rat to communicate. One stroke and his correspondent would know how he felt: horror, joy, happy, meh...Except the nuance and the effort of true communication would be lost.
It may have been, but regardless, I love that. I've made it a point to keep my mind childlike. I try, at least. It allows for much more wonder and creativity, leaving no room for self-regard or self-consciousness. Thanks for bringing this up. Whoever said it, it's useful to remember!
Yes! I love that quote. It is absolutely true, in more ways than can be described. I've learned so much from reading, and I aim to employ those learnings when I write. I have to be careful, though, as I sometimes slip into the styles of writers I admire. (I'm sure every writer can relate to trying to write like Hemingway once, twice, or a hundred times before . . . and always failing).
Thanks for your thoughtful comment :) It's got me thinking, yet again, about this endlessly interpretable quote.
Well done. Made me think about the definition of "new" in ways not traveled before. There are some that believe there is no such thing as an original thought or idea ...because we're pushing Eight Billion (Nov 15th, 2022). I like the notion that new is still possible.
Thank you, H.B. Interesting that you bring up those that think there is no such thing as an original idea. I've heard this ironically unoriginal idea, too. I have to disagree with it. Even if most thoughts are closely related, I think each one is ever so slightly different and unique. Whether the difference is immediately discernible? That's another story. But I don't think the amount of brains on earth can ever come close to the amount of thoughts each brain can put it out in a matter of a half-second.
And even if there is no such thing as an original idea? What does it matter if it strikes on person as original and new? I've encountered many "new-to-me" ideas, and if they were somehow recycled or regurgitated in some way, it made no difference. It still struck my mind as something shiny and new and that I was glad to have learned.
I like the notion that new is still possible, too. And, clearly, I believe in it. I think the encounters I've had with artwork have also supported the notion.
Anyway, thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. It got me thinking. Have a great week.
I love this post Matt my older brother was just talking about this the other day. He was talking more about bringing classic characters into a modern setting and not to write a museum piece but i had not even thought about creating an actual new style or format of writing. Very inspiring for subsackers Matt cheers pal :)
Thank you so much, Clan! Interesting anecdote about your brother. I also like to think about dropping characters into a new time i.e. an Abraham Lincoln into a modern day San Francisco. It would probably go very, very badly.
Glad to have done something (maybe) useful for writers. Write on!
Thanks for your thoughtful comment and have a great week :)
Oct 8, 2022Β·edited Oct 8, 2022Liked by Matt Zamudio
So then the question for authors and poets alike is: do you remain true to your style so readers become familiar? Or do you pursue the reinvention over and over to bring about a new paradigm. My inner romantic and futurist strives for the latter.
P.s.
Love these posts. Thank you for finding me yesterday so I could stumble upon the gold you unearth Matt.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Roeland! It means a lot, really.
I like your question. For me, definitely the latter. I think we should pursue what sounds interesting and fun and what makes us happiest to write. The former options seems more marketing focused, which I don't think is a recipe for the kinds of paradigm shifting experiences I've had reading the authors mentioned above, nor for my fulfillment.
Thanks for giving me something to think about. I'm sure there's a lot more to explore in your question, and I will continue to consider it.
Yes - and an interesting post, Matt. Thanks for sharing. You mentioned Georgeβs use of the graph, and thatοΏΌ reminded me that visual formatting can also make writing seem new. I finished a short story post not long ago that takes the form of Federal Trade Commission meeting βminutes.βοΏΌ
Ashely- Congrats on the story! "Finish" is the word that catches my eye, because finishing any work of art is a win. It's not easy. I know. And your concept of minutes definitely sounds interesting and new. Very cool.
And good point about the museum. Incubator is an excellent word. You go. You . . . marinate. And hopefully, you come out with ideas that can inform your next creation.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments, as always. Have an excellent week and weekend :)
John Steinbeck. I first read him more than forty years ago, after he had died (so not even new writing then). The depth, clarity and simplicity he achieved with very basic English astounded me. Steinbeck did not seem to want to impress the reader, he wanted to communicate. He had something to say. Re-read recently, his ability to formulate multi-layered complex threads of information in short bursts of simple language, leaves me, with my tendency to digress off piste constantly, in awe. It's still so fresh. Like a cowboy of few words, yet words chosen perfectly. He'd clean up on Twitter.
This comment was a pleasure to read. Looks like Steinbeck has rubbed off on you somewhat, because this was simple yet cutting. Thanks for mentioning an author I omitted. Steinbeck is absolutely someone who was doing "new" things, both stylistically and with the subject matter of his stories. I admittedly need to read more Steinbeck, but one stylistic choice of his that I still think about today? Of Mice and Men is written in the style of a play. Each chapter begins by setting the scene. Here's the beginning of chapter two:
"THE bunk house was a long, rectangular building. Inside, the
walls were whitewashed and the floor unpainted. In three walls
there were small, square windows, and in the fourth, a solid door
with a wooden larch. Against the walls were eight bunks, five of
them made up with blankets and the other three showing their
burlap ticking. Over each bunk there was nailed an apple box with
the opening forward so that it made two shelves for the personal
belongings of the occupant of the bunk. And these shelves were
loaded with little articles soap and talcum powder, razors and
those Western magazines ranch men love to read and scoff at and
secretly believe."
This was very new for me, and it made for a very clean and pattern-based method of storytelling, which only served to highlight the drama even more.
Thanks again for this thoughtful comment. Have a great one.
Oh, and another thing...
Milan Kundera.
Obviously I never read him in his native language, only the translations. This man mastered the vignette. Somehow, within a few pages, he was able to immerse you in someone else's world totally, like you were there with them. Personally I don't know of another writer with such a developed ability, to capture such a vibrant and all-inclusive snapshot so rapidly. This ability to leave such a strong impression of a contemporary eastern European person's life story, for me, when I first read Kundera in the mid-80's, was very new, and useful. His shared experience helped me better understand the world I was living in, especially that people everywhere are more or less the same.
Thanks for your posts, Matt, they make me think.
Now back to my day, I need to get my fridge repaired. Lol!
All the best to you.
Another author I have on my shelf but have not delved into yet. I will certainly make it a priority, thanks to you.
Thanks, Nic! Good luck with the refrigerator.
Have a great week :)
e?e. cummings did away with capitals. Texting is doing away with punctuation IMHO as well as nuance but who cares about punctuation anyway just some old grannies with horn rimmed cats eye glasses I mean really
Joke. I hope it was obvious I hate texting.
e.e. cummings is a great example! There is certainly a writer who still comes off as modern today. As you mention, he may have even had some part in inventing modern text lingo, grammar, spelling, and punctuation (or lack thereof).
I wonder what he would have to say about emojis.
It would make it easy for the rat to communicate. One stroke and his correspondent would know how he felt: horror, joy, happy, meh...Except the nuance and the effort of true communication would be lost.
Was it Picasso who said something like "the challenge of the artist is to remain a child"?
It may have been, but regardless, I love that. I've made it a point to keep my mind childlike. I try, at least. It allows for much more wonder and creativity, leaving no room for self-regard or self-consciousness. Thanks for bringing this up. Whoever said it, it's useful to remember!
Super interesting stuff! Made me think of Picasso's (probably apocryphal) quote: βgood artists borrow, great artists steal.β
Yes! I love that quote. It is absolutely true, in more ways than can be described. I've learned so much from reading, and I aim to employ those learnings when I write. I have to be careful, though, as I sometimes slip into the styles of writers I admire. (I'm sure every writer can relate to trying to write like Hemingway once, twice, or a hundred times before . . . and always failing).
Thanks for your thoughtful comment :) It's got me thinking, yet again, about this endlessly interpretable quote.
In science new means first. The first discovery the first use of a new method--all of that translates to new.οΏΌ
Well done. Made me think about the definition of "new" in ways not traveled before. There are some that believe there is no such thing as an original thought or idea ...because we're pushing Eight Billion (Nov 15th, 2022). I like the notion that new is still possible.
Thank you, H.B. Interesting that you bring up those that think there is no such thing as an original idea. I've heard this ironically unoriginal idea, too. I have to disagree with it. Even if most thoughts are closely related, I think each one is ever so slightly different and unique. Whether the difference is immediately discernible? That's another story. But I don't think the amount of brains on earth can ever come close to the amount of thoughts each brain can put it out in a matter of a half-second.
And even if there is no such thing as an original idea? What does it matter if it strikes on person as original and new? I've encountered many "new-to-me" ideas, and if they were somehow recycled or regurgitated in some way, it made no difference. It still struck my mind as something shiny and new and that I was glad to have learned.
I like the notion that new is still possible, too. And, clearly, I believe in it. I think the encounters I've had with artwork have also supported the notion.
Anyway, thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. It got me thinking. Have a great week.
βMy bookshelf is my museum.β I loved it
Thank you so much, Divyata :)
I love this post Matt my older brother was just talking about this the other day. He was talking more about bringing classic characters into a modern setting and not to write a museum piece but i had not even thought about creating an actual new style or format of writing. Very inspiring for subsackers Matt cheers pal :)
Thank you so much, Clan! Interesting anecdote about your brother. I also like to think about dropping characters into a new time i.e. an Abraham Lincoln into a modern day San Francisco. It would probably go very, very badly.
Glad to have done something (maybe) useful for writers. Write on!
Thanks for your thoughtful comment and have a great week :)
So then the question for authors and poets alike is: do you remain true to your style so readers become familiar? Or do you pursue the reinvention over and over to bring about a new paradigm. My inner romantic and futurist strives for the latter.
P.s.
Love these posts. Thank you for finding me yesterday so I could stumble upon the gold you unearth Matt.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Roeland! It means a lot, really.
I like your question. For me, definitely the latter. I think we should pursue what sounds interesting and fun and what makes us happiest to write. The former options seems more marketing focused, which I don't think is a recipe for the kinds of paradigm shifting experiences I've had reading the authors mentioned above, nor for my fulfillment.
Thanks for giving me something to think about. I'm sure there's a lot more to explore in your question, and I will continue to consider it.
Have an excellent week and weekend :)
Yes - and an interesting post, Matt. Thanks for sharing. You mentioned Georgeβs use of the graph, and thatοΏΌ reminded me that visual formatting can also make writing seem new. I finished a short story post not long ago that takes the form of Federal Trade Commission meeting βminutes.βοΏΌ
I think if you go into a museum and something in there inspires a new idea in your mind and heart, then maybe it can at least be seen as an incubator.
Ashely- Congrats on the story! "Finish" is the word that catches my eye, because finishing any work of art is a win. It's not easy. I know. And your concept of minutes definitely sounds interesting and new. Very cool.
And good point about the museum. Incubator is an excellent word. You go. You . . . marinate. And hopefully, you come out with ideas that can inform your next creation.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments, as always. Have an excellent week and weekend :)
And again! Congrats on the story.
Wow - so much to think about here - thanks for a great post, Matt! :D
Thank you for reading, Rebecca :)