Frst We Read Then We Write Pdf
See a Trouble?
Thanks for telling us virtually the trouble.
Friend Reviews
Reader Q&A
Be the beginning to ask a question almost Showtime We Read, So We Write
Community Reviews
Some quotes I liked: "The fashion to write is to throw your body at the marker when your arrows are spent" (Emerson)
"At that place is a time in every man's pedagogy when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that faux is suicide; that he must accept himself for better or worse equally his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn tin come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of footing which is given him to till. The ability that resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried." (Emerson)
I also got a certain understanding from the idea derived from Emerson's book Representative Men Seven Lectures, that poets (and also writers in general), are representative of the average person, non unreachable hero-people. All artists accept some qualities that all people can share. Richardson says that, "This representativeness of great people can fairly be called Emerson'southward central social and religious teaching." He points out the representativeness of God in the person of Jesus as an example of this phenomenon--Jesus is representative of the suffering of all people, thus we tin can place with him. In the same way, a writer mustn't be focused on themselves--they have to take passion for describing the human condition. Information technology is in that fashion that writers get elevated in people's eyes--not by being above other people, but by laying downwardly their lives for their writing in the belief that there is someone out there who can place with and do good from reading them.
...more than
I accept al
This was one of those books that admittedly wowwed me. I took it upwards n with me for the weekend along with my next book because I was worried that it would be too dry for me and I wouldn't treat it. I started it late at nighttime later a couple of beers and constitute myself wanted to talk to somebody about how wonderful it was but deciding to reserve sentence until the following forenoon. The adjacent twenty-four hour period it went on a boat with me and I passed a few pleasant hours on a lake with a lovely book.I have e'er liked Emerson only I similar him mostly in quotes. Whenever I have attempted to delve into his essays I end up feeling lost and disconnected from the text. Through Offset Nosotros Read, I have realized that the trouble is that Emerson is just so much. Everything he wrote is completely loaded with thoughts and ideas that are brilliant. I find myself wanting to quote this judgement then that until the whole matter but feels besides total for me to really take it in. Richardson makes Emerson more accessible to me. He uses Emerson'due south essays to form an essay of his own on how Emerson viewed the creative process.
I would suggest this book to any author. Emerson is brimming with thoughts about fine art. It is near the procedure, he says, non the terminal product. Expression is a human need and the human action is vital. At the finish of this piddling volume I felt inspired and thoughtful and like I had establish a new friend in writing.
...more than
• Emerson would read newspapers (unlike me) just also said that y'all shouldn't read them in a great deal of depth. He never read them column by column and he realised that new Reminded me of the magic of Emerson that I read in my 20s. The book is Emerson's take on both reading and writing and the author (Richardson) takes u.s. through some anecdotal advice that one of the brightest American minds always ( in my opinion) has to give on these 2 important subjects. The volume makes some interesting points:
• Emerson would read newspapers (different me) simply also said that you shouldn't read them in a nifty deal of depth. He never read them column by cavalcade and he realised that newspapers were meant for everybody so the information therein could certainly non be relevant for you in its totality. He advises the readers of newspapers to but go out of them what was meant and was relevant for you and to ignore the balance.
• He makes an interesting point about keeping a journal. Outset Emerson tried to subdivide his thoughts into specific headings and realised that he wasn't able to populate all of them. He advocated the use of a journal where one could keep all their intricate and nigh in-depth thoughts and add to that at brusque notice and with simple ease. (Our iPhones could do this now I suppose). He and then recommended that in one case you take put your thoughts in they will naturally first to grade certain subdivisions on topic areas which you could plough into chapters for books. He suggested that we keep our note taking at the first instance and brand information technology as natural as possible and only later should we apply some rigour to information technology by classification.
The book covered interesting and brusk chapters on topics such as reading, keeping a journal, applied hints to reading, nature, the language of the street, words, sentences, emblems, the audition, art and the writer him/herself. Very short book just worth a quick read. ...more
This book resonated with me in particular because I took a few classes in grand
Robert D. Richardson provides an insightful look into Ralph Waldo Emerson's writing process in "First Nosotros Read, Then We Write." I think those who highly regard Emerson's work as well as those who want insight into literary/creative techniques will find this volume inspiring, specially since it covers many topics of employ to any author wanting to develop their ain craft every bit well as larn how Emerson approached his own writing.This book resonated with me in particular because I took a few classes in my undergraduate years related to writing poetry, and I read a number of books/essays that were defended to literary theory and process that, for lack of better terms, shook me at my core in terms of my writing. For many years, it never occurred to me to actually look at the process of how I wrote, how I came up with ideas, how I chose to develop those ideas and why. Lo and behold, the amount of textile that I read on several poets that I either knew and/or loved regarding their process gave some other dimension to learning how to develop one's arts and crafts. Thus, I really like reading books on literary theory, where our creativity derives and the process for writers.
The organization and balance of Emerson'southward reflections that Richardson brings to this brief work is quite on bespeak. On equal planes, "Outset We Read, And so We Write" is a biographical account too as a loose writing guide. Not then much a how-to volume as much as it is an examination into one writer'southward process that I think people could take notes about and perhaps examine their ain methods from. It cites several of Emerson's own thoughts almost his reading habits (his dislike of passive reading and his immersion in a wealth of topics, for example), the construction of his sentences, his mindfulness of his respective audience, amongst other subjects of valuable consideration for a author.
In short, this work on Emerson's procedure is a gem, and one I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend.
Overall: 4.five/5
Notation: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley from the publisher University of Iowa Printing.
...more
In Offset We Read, Then We Write: Emerson On The Creative Process Robert D. Richardson presents a marvelous and engaging little manual digging deep into the central passion of Emerson's life, who was literally in love and addicted to books. Mainly focusing on the import Don't ask me why this book has escaped my attending for then long, seeing how much I love Ralph Waldo Emerson'south work. While I already knew him as a wonderful poet, I absolutely haven't been all that familiar with his person and life.
In First We Read, And then We Write: Emerson On The Creative Process Robert D. Richardson presents a marvelous and engaging trivial manual digging deep into the central passion of Emerson'southward life, who was literally in beloved and addicted to books. Mainly focusing on the important interconnection of reading and writing, it also thematizes the need to reverberate on nature for language, the recommendation of keeping a journal or earning the attention of the audience. The reader gains not but an understanding of what fueled Emerson'due south creative process, but volition learn a lot for own literary endeavors. This sophisticated and wonderfully engrossing volume is filled with applied hints and speaks to the poet in each of us.
I recommend reading this book along with Emerson's The Poet which is one of the near significant works on expressionism in literature. All-time enjoyed on a tranquility afternoon with no distractions around, this is the kind of book y'all will want to dip in more than just once and it will reward you with new and deeper insights every time.
In curt: A delightful little volume on my own ii passions - reading and writing - this is definitely a must-read for every author! ...more
"A human being must teach himself," he [Emerson] observed, "because he tin only read according to his country...naught of all he read salvage that which seemed to him an repeat or a prophecy of his ain state...for only that book can we read which relates to me something that is already in my mind."
...more
This volume will result in many paper-cuts; the words of Emerson are sinew and vascular, they fight to become up of the folio and into the mind.
'The way to write is to throw your body at the marking when your arrows are spent.'
Emerson may be recalled as a granite bust, but, this written report revives and reveals him to exist the mankind and bone reading candour and writing valour apotheosis that he encompasses.
We are privy to the thoughts, some taken from
My review - taken from http://teachermoloneyking.com/2013/01...This book volition result in many paper-cuts; the words of Emerson are sinew and vascular, they fight to become up of the page and into the mind.
'The fashion to write is to throw your trunk at the marking when your arrows are spent.'
Emerson may exist recalled as a granite bust, merely, this study revives and reveals him to be the flesh and os reading candour and writing valour embodiment that he encompasses.
We are privy to the thoughts, some taken from private essays, of Emerson in relation to reading and writing. This book is not just for the cajoled writer but also the inquisitive and discerning reader.
Did you know that there are four types of readers? Emerson classed them as: the hourglass, the sponge, the jelly-handbag, and the Golconda. Emerson held reading with respect saying that, 'I expect a not bad homo to be a smashing reader.' His communication is to exist a discerning reader; 'There is a cracking underground in knowing what to keep out of the listen likewise as what to put in.'
While I am sharing quotes I volition share this also: 'the first rule of writing is not to omit the thing you meant to say.'
OK, just 1 more quote, 'all that can be thought can be written.'
I lied; I accept a few select quotes to share. 'Linguistic communication is fossil verse,' says Emerson, and the office of the poet is to re-attach things to nature. Genius is the activity which repairs the decay of things.'
Writers, let's take Emerson'due south advice, tense your string, fix the arrow and release it all at the mark. Readers, stay precious most the cloth yous read.
...more
It was nice to break abroad from fiction for a fleck and option upwards something dissimilar. I thought possibly giving this book a try would relate to my writing classes I'm taking this semester. While non 100% as helpful as I would take liked, I did enjoy what Richardson was trying to become beyond. The cool thing about this volume is that you learn about every bit much about Ralph Waldo Emerson as you do the writing process. Information technology's kind of amazing actually. When Ric
Originally published at my blog Chasing Empty PavementsIt was dainty to interruption away from fiction for a bit and pick upward something different. I idea possibly giving this book a endeavour would relate to my writing classes I'k taking this semester. While not 100% equally helpful as I would have liked, I did relish what Richardson was trying to get across. The cool affair about this book is that you acquire almost as much most Ralph Waldo Emerson every bit y'all do the writing process. It'south kind of amazing actually. When Richardson talks about how Emerson related nature to writing, I could totally empathize where Emerson got his inspiration. It was nice to get writing advice that was a little different than I'grand used to.
It's difficult to rate this book because my grading scale doesn't really have the same standards that non-fictions has...so I'k only going to say that this was a great learning feel and I would highly recommend this book to any writers out there who enjoy Emerson, nature and learning about different writing processes.
*I received this book free from the publisher through www.netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
...more
A few highlights:
Do not read when the listen is creative. And exercise not read thoroughly, column past column.
Recall they are made for everybody and don't effort to get what isn't meant for you" Emerson's advice to Woodbury is not empty exhortation. He is describing his ain reading habits. "Reading long at one time annihilation, no matter how it fascinates, destroys thought as completely as the inflections forced by external causes. Do not permit this. End if you notice yourself condign absorbed, at even the first paragraph."
"Practise not attempt to exist a swell reader,"
Emerson tells Woodbury. "And read for facts and not past the bookful. You lot must know virtually ownership in facts. What another sees and tells you is non yours, just his." The reader is to accept simply what really suits him. Emerson tells Woodbury he ought to "learn to divine books, to feel those that you desire without wasting much time over them. Remember you must know just the excellent of all that has been presented. But oft a chapter is enough. The glance reveals what the gaze obscures."
"Keep a periodical... for the habit of rendering account to yourself of yourself in some rigorous manner and at more certain intervals than mere conversation."
"There is no way to learn to write except by writing," he told Woodbury. Sometimes he would only sit down and start writing-anything-to see whether something would happen.
"The art of writing consists in putting two things together that are unlike and that belong together like a horse and cart. Then have nosotros somewhat far more goodly and efficient than either."
...more
My favorite set of Emersonian reflections concerns the art of reading, or not reading. Emerson believed one could read too much, so that it obscured 1'due south own insights and sensibilities; he besides idea it did non matter so much what one read so long as one read information technology with imaginative insight and intensity. He is sometimes credited with coining the phrase "creative writing," simply he did and then in a passage contrasting information technology with "creative reading," to the latter's benefit. Richardson writes:
The logic backside Emerson's apparent disparaging of reading is the logic of a person who expects his reading to be useful above all. "Practise not attempt to be a corking reader," Emerson tells Woodbury. "And read for facts and not only by the bookful. You must know about ownership in facts. What another sees and tells yous is not yours, just his." The reader is accept just what actually suits him. Emerson tells Woodbury that he ought to "larn to divine books, to experience those that y'all want without wasting much fourth dimension over them. Remember you lot must know only he first-class of all that has been presented. But ofttimes a chapter is enough. The glance reveals what the gaze obscures."Non scholarly communication (though perhaps American scholarly advice), but then the history of literature and thought probably bears Emerson out in this. I am often struck by how petty the great writers read of even their supposed sources. Joyce barely read Aquinas before getting an aesthetic theory out of him, and Borges's learning was "literally encyclopedic," which is to say that he got much of it out of encyclopedias (see here). Even among critics or scholars or philosophers, Emerson'south recommendation may have the ring of truth; I accept known distinguished commenters on literary theory and the like who have said things like, I can't read Heidegger or Adorno means nothing to me, even though they publish professionally on topics in those thinkers' traditions. Nobody tin read everything, and all of u.s.a. have gathered knowledge and impressions from disparate sources (speaking of Adorno, take I read every word of Minima Moralia?—not at all, and yet I feel I know it). I call up that the aforementioned Borges compared Ulysses to a city, which one may know intimately even though i never visits certain of its streets. Information technology is difficult to imagine two more dissimilar thinkers who were also contemporaries, only Schopenhauer curiously agreed with Emerson on this topic; and then Nietzsche, who may exist regarded as the monstrous offspring of Emerson and Schopenhauer, cheerfully agreed with them both. While the disparagement of reading is slightly dangerous communication for a author to give—nobody wants to defend ignorance, for one thing, and for some other why should writers give readers any more excuses to ignore their works?—but information technology is probably sound.
Richardson provides something more for the reader than Emerson'southward edgy metaphysical cheerfulness, however. While this is a very brusque book and not at all an endeavor at historical or social reflection, it indirectly reveals how much of what we take for granted when we discuss artistic writing comes straight from Emerson,* from the ethos of his double-sided belief in the practical and the transcendent, or in craft and experience as imperial roads to the godhead. Then much of the pedagogy of creative writing is summed up in this book equally Emerson'due south wisdom:
1. the accent on the author as expressive being and the consistent demotion of tradition as a deciding factor in his or her education;
ii. the focus on the artistic procedure rather than the artistic product;
iii. the belief that the near-at-hand is more advisable subject matter than the exotic (i.east., the advice to write well-nigh yourself and your times, rather than ancient Egypt or outer space);
4. the aesthetic standard of authenticity, both of the writer's personal feel and of the work, considered as the unfinished and unfinishable result of an undetermined process;
5. the elevation of the judgement, rather than the paragraph or the essay, every bit the smallest indivisible constituent element of a literary composition;
6. the faith in the writer/reader transaction as a humanistic enterprise of sympathetic exchange
And probably some I'm forgetting. Whether he meant to or non, Richardson has written an encrypted intellectual history of creative writing as an autonomous discipline, with Emerson as its founder. As such, his book may office as a blessedly cursory and suggestive companion to the exhaustive scholarly version, Mark McGurl's The Program Era—a book I have "read" in Emersonian glances, simply with which Emerson emboldens me to say I am nevertheless quite familiar.
In that location are very expert arguments against the pragmatic/transcendental drive toward experience and away from tradition, made by writers every bit various as T. South. Eliot and Elif Batuman; they corporeality to the fear that the process-driven, learning-averse method of writing volition issue in compositions of melodramatic banality that unknowingly echo cliches and that imply an irrationalist identity politics opposed to all forms of club or universalism. There is also a mode to reconcile the 2 positions, every bit implied in the works of Harold Bloom every bit well as his feminist redactors, Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar most clearly, all of whom see experience and tradition as dialectical; on this theory, role of the artist's necessary apprenticeship is the processual experience of wandering in the wilds of tradition. This latter thesis makes the most sense to me; just Emerson'due south rhetoric, in its visionary intensity, challenges all my presuppositions. Harold Flower, by the style, called Emerson "the mind of America." I doubtfulness that can be truthful, but this interesting picayune book does requite some prove for Bloom's claim.
*And from some of his predecessors and contemporaries too, of course, such equally Wordsworth or Thoreau or Whitman.
...more
There'southward plenty wisdom in it to coach any writer through their own lifetime. It likewise contains beautiful examples of Emerson'south own perfectly crafted sentences such as, "The first dominion of writing is not to omit the thing yous meant to say." This hitting
Despite not having read Ralph Waldo Emerson'southward works, I was intrigued enough by the title to borrow this book from the library. It's a short, thoughtful, and powerful distillation of the reading and writing wisdom Emerson developed over his prolific life.There'due south enough wisdom in it to double-decker whatever writer through their ain lifetime. It also contains beautiful examples of Emerson'south ain perfectly crafted sentences such as, "The first dominion of writing is non to omit the matter you meant to say." This striking me between the optics, equally I easily start out writing about one thing and finish up with a subject field miles away from where I started.
Emerson'southward voluminous reading across many genres, magazines besides as books, was an important factor in his piece of work. I peculiarly like this Emerson fact unearthed by Richardson: "He generally took more books out of the library than he was able to read earlier they were due dorsum." At least where that's concerned, Emerson and I are kindred spirits.
Richardson, this volume's writer, is no slouch either when it comes to his orderly thinking, his writing, and how he chose to tell the story that is Emerson.
If you dearest reading, writing, Emerson, or all three, this book will delight you. It'southward fabricated me curious plenty to put a book of his essays on hold at the library.
...more
I learned a lot virtually Emerson from reading this small publication, as the author let Emerson speak for himself, rather than telling the reader what he said. I was very grateful for that.
The book has several capacity, some more practical than others. Some suspension downwardly the actual construction of writing (there are chapters on "Wo
I enjoyed this book, a small compendium of Ralph Waldo Emerson's thoughts on writing, edited by one of Emerson's present-day biographers (and husband of author Annie Dillard).I learned a lot nearly Emerson from reading this minor publication, as the author permit Emerson speak for himself, rather than telling the reader what he said. I was very grateful for that.
The volume has several capacity, some more applied than others. Some break downwards the actual structure of writing (in that location are chapters on "Words" and "Sentences," for case). My favorite chapter was on the discussion of "Audience," and it almost certainly can be applied in a variety of situations.
There was more here than expected. A worthwhile read.
...more I've simply read a fleck of Emerson, knowing more famous quotes than his bodily piece of work. This brings Emerson to life and provides a lovely mediation on how reading fuels writing and the value that Emerson saw in each of us as thinking, creative minds.
If you're a writer, even if you're not a fan of Emerson, this is a brusk and interesting read with many many tidbits of inspiration.
5-word review: nature, sentence, nouns, journal, prolific.If you're a writer, even if you're non a fan of Emerson, this is a short and interesting read with many many tidbits of inspiration.
...more
Concise, direct, and full of concrete practices and advice on how to write; First We Read, And so Nosotros Write is an exceptional volume for a detail kind of reader.
If you are a author, or aspiring writer, who reads large quantities of books, and has some familiarity with, or respect for Emerson, this book is a dream fulfilled.
If yous exercise non accept a burning interest, bordering on obsession, with either Emerson, reading larg
"Nothing astonishes men and so much as equally mutual sense and patently dealing." -EmersonCurtailed, direct, and full of concrete practices and communication on how to write; Start We Read, So Nosotros Write is an exceptional book for a particular kind of reader.
If y'all are a writer, or aspiring author, who reads large quantities of books, and has some familiarity with, or respect for Emerson, this volume is a dream fulfilled.
If yous practise not accept a burning involvement, bordering on obsession, with either Emerson, reading big quantities of books, or writing, this book is not for you lot.
Commencement Nosotros Read, Then We Write is a collection, from every imaginable legitimate source possible, of things Emerson said about reading or writing, arranged in a clear and systematic fashion.
Given Emerson'southward stated desire not to write systematically, Richardson even having this book be easy to follow, let solitary lucid and inspiring, is itself quite an achievement. Furthermore, Richardson's own writing is delightfully concise; he'southward been fraternizing with Emerson.
This book is short and powerful; information technology's a literary shot to be gulped in 1 setting that sets a fire in one'due south mind. A drink as smooth and curt equally it is powerful, a beverage that invites you to drink it once again and again and again, to the point of a divine drunkenness.
There's no fluff here, merely practices, advice, and relevant observations about Emerson's character and stylistic influences.
You could see Richardson's book as a spiritual cousin to Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, equally much of the advice in Beginning We Read, So We Write comes from Emerson's journals, and he was writing this advice to himself.
Like Aurelius, Emerson saw himself as constantly failing to achieve an ethical imperative of personal bear that required supremely clear conversation with others, but in Emerson'due south example this ethical ideal applied to his writing likewise.
In his own writing, Emerson saw that annihilation less than a clarity and spontaneous period that mirrored conversation with a friend was an unacceptable moral and technical failure; Emerson took writing every bit seriously every bit Aurelius did the perfection of his soul.
In many ways, First Nosotros Read, Then We Write seems similar a perfect appendix to Robert D Richardson's excellent biography of Emerson: Emerson: The Heed on Burn down
Now, you don't need to read Richardson'due south biography to enjoy this brusk jaunt into Emerson's way of seeing things, merely you do need to know some basic things nigh Emerson.
If y'all don't, yous might get confused when gentlemen named Thoreau or ladies similar Margaret Fuller rapidly come up and go, but I even so recall an aspiring writer who knows nothing of Emerson could find useful practices and communication hither.
I'm deeply frustrated when reviewers say something should be 'required reading,' I'd rather they said nothing at all because they've said nothing at all, and I now know Emerson would concur as he sees that no book or piece of writing is for every person.
And so, I'll close by request three questions, and if you tin respond yes to at to the lowest degree one of the following questions, yous'll likely enjoy this book. If you answer yes to all iii, what are you waiting for?
Practice you find writing conspicuously a deeply personal, even religious need? Do you find yourself incapable of living apart from multiple books? Does Emerson somehow inspire you?
Read Richardson on Emerson if you said yes fifty-fifty just once.
"The style to write is to throw your body at the mark when your arrows are spent." -Emerson
...more
One thing I thought was interesting was his seeming emphasis on reader centrism rather than author's purpose. I would like to delve into these areas more than. It seems like he would want people to recognize what the autho
Cracking volume for the time invested. Information technology'southward a quick biography of his reading and thinking... not as well much about the events in his life. It is manifestly very quotable, and is neat to get a piece of the relaxed, natural, individually focused transcendental ideas that Emerson is known for.One thing I thought was interesting was his seeming accent on reader centrism rather than writer's purpose. I would like to delve into these areas more. It seems similar he would want people to recognize what the author is maxim, but so again it seems like he wants y'all to go something from the author or move on to the side by side. I similar Emerson, only I as well similar trying to focus on the author's purpose. I bet depending on what angle you lot asked him from he would answer differently.
There'due south a lot of skillful quotes in here, but here are a few that I collected:
"Never read a book that is not a twelvemonth erstwhile"
"If a man has good corn, or wood, or boards, or pigs to sell, or can make better chairs, or knives, crucibles or church organs than anybody else, you will notice a broad, hard-beaten road to his house, though information technology exist in the wood."
"now and then a human exquisitely made tin can and must alive solitary; but coop up most men, and yous undo them."
On his relationship with Thomas Carlyle "Strict conversation with a friend is the magazine out of which all expert writing is drawn"
On writing: "you should commencement with no skeleton or program. the natural i will grow as you work. knock away all scaffolding."
"The foregoing generations beheld God and nature confront to face; we, through their optics. Why should not we also enjoy an original relation to the universe? Why should not nosotros have a poetry and philosophy of insight, and non of tradition, and a religion past revelation to us, and no the history of theirs?"
...more
My greatest hope in reading this book was that I would find some new inspiration on writing. I did not. Mayhap that was unfair of me but what else would exist the point for me? My appetite for Emerson has already been whetted for years past hearing and reading quotes of his. And if I wanted to read
I have never read any meaning portion of anything Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote. Keep that in mind every bit I write about Richard D. Richardson's attempt to interpret Emerson'south thoughts on the artistic process.My greatest hope in reading this book was that I would discover some new inspiration on writing. I did not. Peradventure that was unfair of me but what else would be the point for me? My ambition for Emerson has already been whetted for years by hearing and reading quotes of his. And if I wanted to read a biography of his, I would accept. Furthermore, I could accept only read Emerson himself and saved myself some time.
Even so I did appreciate the organisation of the volume, the lilliputian pieces I could pull that fabricated me understand more than of the human being than I ever did before. The stories told of him and the conversations revealed were probably my favorite parts.
Mostly, though, this was a quote-a-thon of the homo himself, with plenty of conflicting conclusions as to what his actual process was. Yes, I get that (co-ordinate to Richardson'south accept on Emerson's take) the process is more valuable than the result. I go that he felt that ideas and ideals were "existent" and that reality is actually just symbols of our inner spiritual selves. Just I judge I just want to hear it from the horse's mouth himself.
I find information technology ironic that Emerson suggested that nosotros don't read someone's opinion, criticism, or interpretation (fifty-fifty appreciation) of some other writer or creative person... still this whole book was just that. I tend to concur with him now. I plant myself rushing to finish the book so that I may be able to option upwards the writer himself and run across what I can glean from it for myself. I approximate towards this end, Richardson was successful.
...more
Emerson's cocky-field of study was an unremitting lifelong effort at sentence craft. He was a poet-philosopher, doling out terse one-liners of cocky-independent philosophy, making from words cracking picayune parables in simple cardboard boxes that detonate in one case you lot fully digest them.
Like this gem of judgement:
"Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing."
Boom!
I am inspired by Due east'southward dedication to sentence craft (similar my father-in-law, a musician who daily practices endless variations on piano scales as way to create a "catamenia land" wherein technical knowledge and appreciation of life, aesthetic reality, are seamlessly in the performer and transferred to the listener).
The takeaway: grammer tin influence the minds of the many and even alter civilization, when used skillfully and truly.
...more
The Emerson bits do read like a agenda of quotes at Barnes & Noble; the *judgement* is his unit, not the *paragraph*, and my favorite chapter in this book is "Sentences
Might be a adept companion to Emerson'southward essays (esp "The Poet"); Richardson knows Emerson inside and out (has written a biography too); half the volume is Emerson's words; the lucid prose and structure—brusk, focused chapters like "Reading" and "Practical Hints"—reminds me of Mary Oliver'due south Verse HANDBOOK (and she endorses this bk).The Emerson $.25 do read like a calendar of quotes at Barnes & Noble; the *judgement* is his unit, not the *paragraph*, and my favorite chapter in this book is "Sentences" – a nice series of close readings.
Lots of nice gems throughout, just the book is dry; it likewise seems to straddle descriptive and prescriptive writing—describing Emerson'southward work and then sort of saying to writers, "This is a practiced way to write"—a overnice idea for a book on Emerson, I think, but that arts and crafts advice didn't work every bit well for me.
Hither is a gem that draws Emerson close to any writer's middle:
"'Our moods practice not believe in each other. Today I am full of thoughts and can write what I please. I see no reason why I should not take the same thought, the same ability of expression tomorrow. What I write, whilst I write information technology, seems the virtually natural thing in the world; but yesterday I saw a dreary vacuity in this direction in which I now encounter then much; and a month hence I doubt not, I shall wonder who he was that wrote so many continuous pages.'" (39-40)
...more thanNews & Interviews
Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign yous in to your Goodreads account.
Source: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/6146930
0 Response to "Frst We Read Then We Write Pdf"
Post a Comment