26 Comments

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.

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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

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Was it Picasso who said something like "the challenge of the artist is to remain a child"?

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Oct 7, 2022Liked by Matt Zamudio

Super interesting stuff! Made me think of Picasso's (probably apocryphal) quote: β€œgood artists borrow, great artists steal.”

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In science new means first. The first discovery the first use of a new method--all of that translates to new.οΏΌ

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Oct 7, 2022Liked by Matt Zamudio

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.

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β€œMy bookshelf is my museum.” I loved it

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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 :)

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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.

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Oct 8, 2022Liked by Matt Zamudio

Yes - and an interesting post, Matt. Thanks for sharing. You mentioned George’s 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 β€œminutes.”

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Oct 8, 2022Liked by Matt Zamudio

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.

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Wow - so much to think about here - thanks for a great post, Matt! :D

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