Finding Structure

A couple of posts back, I mentioned that Caryl Phillips remarked that he found his structure in time and music. I have found another way--geography. I have wondered how story's setting can influence style. How can a desert influence style? Will the sentences be sparse? What about a flooded area? Will the text be slightly overwritten, indicating a flood of language? Should text describing a meadow of flowers be, well, flowery? Just an idea . . .

Talk to Another Writer

I cannot tell you how inspiring it is to take the time to talk to another writer, especially a more established writer. You find that they share the same pains that you do. I guess the artistic struggle is quite universal.

I had a conversation with one of my professors yesterday, and I came out of it with an extreme urge to write. It was frustrating that I was still stuck in the city and even more so that, upon coming home, I summarily fell asleep while doing my reading. I knew I should have written first. However, the evening the did not quell the fire that was sparked in me and tonight I plan to rattle the keyboard like an AK-47.

An Important Digression

On Sunday, my girlfriend's 20-year-old cousin, Louis, shipped out to Iraq. Louis joined the NJ National Guard to pay for school. He was also the drummer in a band and has to leave his girlfriend to go overseas.

I ask that all of you hold him and the rest of our troops in your thoughts, meditations, and prayers. I also ask that you vote for John Kerry on Tuesday. The current administration is not taking care of our troops. They do not have the proper manpower or equipment. John Kerry will change that so that we can get the job done quicker with minimal loss or life and therefore get our troops home sooner. Thank you.