Brad Berens, writing in Good Writers Throw Fastballs - more against cliche in online writing, responded to my post about being at a kind-of-academic blogging conference where the statement was made that all this blogging and wiking, etc., is going to make people better writers. I, of course, responded because a) I respect Brad and his opinion and 2) am thrilled to actually be part of a diablog.
I agree with Brad's points:
- It mistakes quantity for quality, never a good idea, suggesting that sheer repetitive practice will make you a better writer
- It doesn't understand that writers who don't think about writing lean on cliche
- It misunderstands user behavior in the face of infinite media
Everything Brad wrote is true. I will also share that one of my long held beliefs is that any writing I do will help me improve the writing I want to do (readers and editors, feel free to disagree with me). I agree that writing in and of itself won't help people improve their writing. I think writing, studying the masters (Twain, Bradbury, Stevens, Proust, Homer, the list is wonderfully long), honing writing skills with a willing and sensitive teacher, etc., causes one to improve. I've learned more about how to write well by studying how editors have edited my writing. But before any of that can happen, I have to write. Gifted editors have taken pity on my writing (and I hope they continue to) and (I strongly believe) teach me how to be a better writer. I wouldn't have come to their attention if I didn't write something for them to see first, though.
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