A weblog devoted to spurring a conversation among those who use words to varying degrees in their daily work. Hosted by John Ettorre, a Cleveland-based writer and editor. Please email me at: john.ettorre@gmail.com. "There comes a time when you realize that everything is a dream, and only those things preserved in writing have any possibility of being real." --James Salter
A Thought for Our Friends in Transition
I'm a Cleveland, Ohio-based writer, editor and writing coach, with more than 25 years of experience, including stints in Chicago and Washington, D.C. My work has appeared in more than 100 print and online publications, from the New York Times and the Christian Science Monitor to local and regional publications. My work has been recognized by awards (including an Emmy) from four journalism groups.
9 Comments:
Beginnings and endings are such human concepts. We have such a finite view of life, everything in its neat little box: this is mine, that is yours. We think it's orderly and it is, in an artificial sense. And yet when we get to the end of a book we want more; the end gets in the way.
We do construct narratives to make life seem orderly to ourselves. At the same time, when everyone you know is dying, and you yourself are sick as crap, it's hard NOT to feel as though everything was ending; even if you know better.
Thanks, guys. Yes, I was going to respond to Jim's point with something pretty close to what Art said: that when one is out of a job (along with millions of others) they're not generally in a position to think calmly and rationally. How's the economy in Scotland, Jim. I'd love to hear your first-hand report.
:-) Thanks, John.
By the way, my email is acting quirky this a.m. and I haven't been able to respond to your note. Give me just a bit.
This works just as well as email. Got it.
I live a fairly insular life, John, so I have no great insights. I see shops closing down the town but that's about it. I watch the news and it seems pretty bleak out there. If the numbers mean anything to you here's a link to a BBC article on Scotland's current economic decline.
Thanks, Jim. And of course I do know you're proudly insular, being a regular reader of your blog.
You find the most interesting quotes and fascinating people (enjoyed reading about Ivy). Transitions are just that - a place to begin again. I'm beginning to think that being "in transition" is a desired state of being!
Glad you're looking at it that way, Sherri.
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