Welcome to The Threshold.
This blog is designed as a medium for the thousands of writers out there (published or not) who, without regard for their own wellbeing, pummel their keyboards without mercy or pour themselves onto pages of loose leaf note paper at all hours of the night. Writers are an exclusive bunch in many regards, though not so clandestine as to have secret handshakes and subversive, muttered phrases. Their exclusivity lies in the reason for writing, the intimate rationale behind the method.
They write out of necessity. There is no middle ground where someone says "Y'know, I've always wanted to write a poem. Maybe I'll give that a whirl this Saturday." Absurd. Writing stems from something welled deep within, excruciating at times, often graceful and thoughtful with hints of freedom like the soul baring music of a jazz trumpet player. They write because if they did not, there would be an inarticulated void. Something that would lessen the quality of their lives, or at least their understanding of them.
What is the threshold? For me, it was getting my work accepted in publication somewhere. My first story, The End of Swinburne, was placed in an anthology called Half In The Sun on Ronsdale Press this past fall. So much work was involved: draft after draft, edit after edit, writing and re-writing. And that is not mentioning the good fortune of meeting people who were interested in my work. It has been one of the more satisfying moments of my life. But I realize that I have so much further to go, so much more to learn, to absorb, to draw from. But more than anything else, I realize that this is not why I write. Some of the authors and poets in this anthology have been writing for years, decades even. I am a small, emaciated fish in one monstrous ocean. But, the threshold has been crossed.
So, for you writers out there, and I know there are many. Shall we put our minds together? Perhaps we can help others get to the threshold if they have not yet, or encourage them to keep trying. At the very least, we can share our stories and findings with others out there.
Harry Junior
This blog is designed as a medium for the thousands of writers out there (published or not) who, without regard for their own wellbeing, pummel their keyboards without mercy or pour themselves onto pages of loose leaf note paper at all hours of the night. Writers are an exclusive bunch in many regards, though not so clandestine as to have secret handshakes and subversive, muttered phrases. Their exclusivity lies in the reason for writing, the intimate rationale behind the method.
They write out of necessity. There is no middle ground where someone says "Y'know, I've always wanted to write a poem. Maybe I'll give that a whirl this Saturday." Absurd. Writing stems from something welled deep within, excruciating at times, often graceful and thoughtful with hints of freedom like the soul baring music of a jazz trumpet player. They write because if they did not, there would be an inarticulated void. Something that would lessen the quality of their lives, or at least their understanding of them.
What is the threshold? For me, it was getting my work accepted in publication somewhere. My first story, The End of Swinburne, was placed in an anthology called Half In The Sun on Ronsdale Press this past fall. So much work was involved: draft after draft, edit after edit, writing and re-writing. And that is not mentioning the good fortune of meeting people who were interested in my work. It has been one of the more satisfying moments of my life. But I realize that I have so much further to go, so much more to learn, to absorb, to draw from. But more than anything else, I realize that this is not why I write. Some of the authors and poets in this anthology have been writing for years, decades even. I am a small, emaciated fish in one monstrous ocean. But, the threshold has been crossed.
So, for you writers out there, and I know there are many. Shall we put our minds together? Perhaps we can help others get to the threshold if they have not yet, or encourage them to keep trying. At the very least, we can share our stories and findings with others out there.
My goal with this blog is to tackle numerous topics on writing. Sometimes it may just be a film or book review. Other times I may try my luck at tackling something a little more philosophical. But, feedback is key. I hope that those who stumble on this little webpage in the middle of nowhere feel free to share their own stories or thoughts on writing of any kind. Like you, I am learning.
Harry Junior
2 comments:
Welcome back to the blogsphere, Harry. I'm looking forward to what you have to say about writing.
Best of luck, and remember, don't feed the trolls.
wonderful post! i love this: "Writing stems from something welled deep within, excruciating at times, often graceful and thoughtful with hints of freedom like the soul baring music of a jazz trumpet player." i followed a link over from mighty-sally and am so pleased i did. i look forward to more of your words!
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