From: yoshi@nocusuhs.nnmc.navy.mil (D M Yoshikami)
Newsgroups: misc.writing
Subject: Re: "Wow, You're a Writer!"
Summary: Poetry!!
Keywords: here he goes again.
Date: 17 Aug 92 12:47:01 GMT
Organization: National Naval Medical Center

In article <1992Aug14.132646.6552@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> bf455@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bonita Kale) writes:
>That's true for fiction, but what bothers me is the quality of non-fiction and
>poetry that -doesn't- bother other people.
>
>Club newsletters are full of stuff that's bad by any standards.  People
>read it, get the gist of it (or think they do) and figure it's fine.  And
>the verse that's xeroxed and sent around, or printed in Dear Abby--some of
>it's enough to make your hair stand on end.  It rhymes (sort of) and it's
>supposed to scan, but doesn't, and it's made by stringing one cliche after
>another, and people read it, agree with the sentiment ("Yes, we should be
>kind to our mothers.") and say, "I think that's beautiful."

Felix Saltzer (the Schenkerian) said that critics are so worried about missing
a new talent that they label everything "Bold", "Original", or "Interesting",
thus showing an appalling lack of taste and judgement.   If one does not know
the principles involved (in this case, music), it will be difficult to judge at
all any work that is published recently.  (Most of the concert music I have
heard recently is unbelievably dull, and few critics will admit it!!)  The
people in the United States, and other parts of the world too, for that matter,
have given up their right to boo at Concerts, and politely clap at horrible
pieces.  [This is not to say that a bronx cheer doesn't surface occasionally, 
but it does not happen often enough!!].  

People have become enamoured with the Lonely Artist, ununderstood by anyone.
While there may be a few of these left, by and large far too many people are
using it as an excuse to cover their own technical incompetence.  The sad thing
is they get away with it.  Jaques Pepin (the Chef) said that most people fail
in the kitchen because of a lack of basic skills.  This is true with any art
or craft.  While the lonely artist may not be understood, that lonely artist
will have a tremendous command of his media.  While the now-dead composers and
artists were well known for their technical excellence (besides their genius),
and while there are people who can read and transpose at sight, improvise 
anything and remember tunes at one hearing, the latter are looked down upon as 
mere technicians.  

There are no shortcuts to technical competence.  Admittedly, some people enjoy
writing so much they don't notice that developing technical competence is hard
work.  This is a good attitude to have.  They will go much farther than those
who hate technical topics such as grammar.  Learn the grammar, and put it behind
you, and get it over with.  Grammar is a tool for the writer to use rather than 
a strict straitjacket to keep them in line.  [Writers will occasionally slip 
grammatically.  This is not a problem.  Bach had some mistakes in voice leading 
(Parallel fifths, or was it hidden fifths?) in one of the Brandenburg Concertos 
but most people wouldn't notice.  And Writers might use an anacoluthon with good
effect.  'Nuff said.]  Practice practice.  You'll be glad you did.  

DY :-)

P.s.  I think these USENET postings are my practice gophers for writing.  My,
do I write some of the strangest things, and make some pretty nasty technical
blunders!!  :-)

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