Re: writing/publishing
William Hochman (wh14@is9.nyu.edu)
Sun, 19 Sep 1999 14:11:47 -0400 (EDT)
On Sun, 19 Sep 1999, Scottie Bowman wrote:
>
> But more generally, is it really true that 'writing' (other
> than 'send more money', 'see you tomorrow night')
> is essentially communication? I think publication at least
> is more about exhibitionism than anything else.
> We all want money, most want praise & many wish
> to leave an imprint on another's mind. I'm less sure
> there's such an urgent desire share intimate bits of oneself
> with other than those one loves.
>
>
Scottie, your crushes on Leslie and Camille aside, I think that in
addition to communication and exhibition/reward/self-affirmation, that
writing and publishing are simply ways to live closely with words. Sure I
want readers to share my "idea/feeling/space and then thank me for it, but
I think of writing as a way to make more sense of living than I might
otherwise.
BTW, before you ding me for "Writing Space" I suggest to you and anyone on
our list a look at _Writing Space_ by Jay David Bolter since he theorizes
about writing with an online slant.
I'm not denying the self in the writing process and the need to reify
senses of selves in print, but I'm hoping to add another spin.
Truly tops are my favoite toys,
will