Profound Writing is the Problem
The sign of matured writing is in how an author treats the “profound.” It’s something you can see in every aspect of someone’s writing–their words, style, and especially the topic and ideas they’re discussing. Why “matured?” Because I think overcoming the profound is the last hurdle to good writing.
In your effort to evoke emotion, share deep insight, and have an effect on your audience, a little imp becomes the full-fledge demon of the profound. Your weapon against the demon looks like the freaking spork of the mundane: don’t be profound.
Here’s what that means: write about the complicated in the simplest possible way. Fiction or non-fiction, poetry or prose. It’s the key to “show, not tell.” Facts and theories and complicated explanations are boring–just try taking them to a party.
I’m guilty of it, too. Just try plowing through one of my recent posts, “The Precision of Living.” It’s anything but precise. But I’m working on it. A follow up, “The Case for Cooking,” is me trying to tackle the same idea with a lighter tone and simpler writing. Better, but not perfect. Whenever I feel like I’m writing something lofty, I’m getting a better sense that it’s time to evaluate how and what I’m writing.
Read “The Giving Tree,” it’ll take you five minutes. The greater an author’s mastery over a topic and his skill. the simpler he can express the idea.
Thrust and parry–be careful not to break your spork.