Huh. I see another critique at Metropolitan Review, about JOKER and MEGALOPOLIS, also starts exactly like the HEADSHOT essay, with three paragraphs of teenage remembrance, so maybe the editors there encourage such behavior. I think it is a mistake: if that material is truly worthy, move that stuff later https://www.metropolitanreview.org/p/thirsty-for-piss
You are wrong. That Sarah Deming essay at the end isn't "good." It's great! Can't wait for all the credit I'll take by sharing it with friends and not telling them how I came upon it. Sorry, not sorry.
Ethan: Here's one bit of writing advice that has served me well. When I have written a first draft and it's time to self-edit, I move the last sentence of each paragraph to make it the first sentence of that paragraph. This is a tool, not a rule, but I find that it increases the clarity of my writing nearly every time. Why? Because, like most people (I assume), I write as I think through my thoughts and organize them into a narrative. When I've written my way to a narrative conclusion, I call that a paragraph and then start down the next path of thoughts, which becomes the next paragraph. I find this a good way to write, but it's not necessarily how readers want to read. When I move my narrative conclusions up to begin paragraphs rather than end them, the reader usually gets, sooner and more clearly, what I want the reader know. For example, my first draft of this paragraph concluded with "This bit of writing advice has served me well."
Enjoyed learning about your wife, Sarah, and reading her (and your) essay. I love her. I'm sorry to hear about her mugging, but loved that she had Different Trains on her Walkman!!
I read Headshot toward the end of 2024, and, like Alex Perez, I didn't understand why it was so acclaimed. After finishing it, I just shrugged. I'm glad he could put his shrug into words. However, I'm with you, Ethan, on those opening paragraphs. I suppose he wanted to put his bonafides out there first. Someone should give him Sarah Deming's *fantastic* essay to show him how it's done!
Sarah Deming's writing IS inviting, and a pleasure to step into.
I like wading out into the writing and feeling her syntax sway up up into my cortex, and the tides and riptides of meaning flow in an out, swirling the bigger world of imagined experience.
I should prob delete this first paragraph, but I've got to put my mild endorphin rush to some good use.
I'm not sure if I'm good at writing at all. However, I try to avoid four things: predictions, advice, conflicts, and opinions. Key word, avoid, not eliminate. I also try to read paper, not digital, not just because of algorithms etc., but because otherwise you're in the same place as everyone else churning the same ideas.
In contrast, I love research, in other people's writing and my own.
I have great respect for you as a musician and writer, and I understand how badly the first person has been used, but this isn't the Times, and many great writers have included themselves in their journalistic accounts, if in unorthodox ways, from Kerouac to Issac Rosenfeld to Hunter Thompson to Norman Mailer (his political writing, Armies of the Night, et al) to Harold Rosenberg to Richard Gilman and even Stanley Crouch. I think telling writers that there are certain absolute rules is like telling musicians what they cannot and should not do. It leaves out a certain element and creative touch. I think more relevant is HOW the first person is used and yes, I agree with you, it is generally badly done.
Huh. I see another critique at Metropolitan Review, about JOKER and MEGALOPOLIS, also starts exactly like the HEADSHOT essay, with three paragraphs of teenage remembrance, so maybe the editors there encourage such behavior. I think it is a mistake: if that material is truly worthy, move that stuff later https://www.metropolitanreview.org/p/thirsty-for-piss
Yes, yes, and yes.
You are wrong. That Sarah Deming essay at the end isn't "good." It's great! Can't wait for all the credit I'll take by sharing it with friends and not telling them how I came upon it. Sorry, not sorry.
haha love it
I think it’s very badass you’re married to a boxer. Enjoyed both articles.
We are celebrating our 20th anniversary next year!
Congrats in advance!
Ethan: Here's one bit of writing advice that has served me well. When I have written a first draft and it's time to self-edit, I move the last sentence of each paragraph to make it the first sentence of that paragraph. This is a tool, not a rule, but I find that it increases the clarity of my writing nearly every time. Why? Because, like most people (I assume), I write as I think through my thoughts and organize them into a narrative. When I've written my way to a narrative conclusion, I call that a paragraph and then start down the next path of thoughts, which becomes the next paragraph. I find this a good way to write, but it's not necessarily how readers want to read. When I move my narrative conclusions up to begin paragraphs rather than end them, the reader usually gets, sooner and more clearly, what I want the reader know. For example, my first draft of this paragraph concluded with "This bit of writing advice has served me well."
great
Thanks, needed this corrective!
Enjoyed learning about your wife, Sarah, and reading her (and your) essay. I love her. I'm sorry to hear about her mugging, but loved that she had Different Trains on her Walkman!!
Yes, an important detail! And so nice to meet on Saturday!
Yes, I was so happy for the opportunity to hear you and have our sweet little "piano chat". To be continued, I hope!
Thanks for this post.
I read Headshot toward the end of 2024, and, like Alex Perez, I didn't understand why it was so acclaimed. After finishing it, I just shrugged. I'm glad he could put his shrug into words. However, I'm with you, Ethan, on those opening paragraphs. I suppose he wanted to put his bonafides out there first. Someone should give him Sarah Deming's *fantastic* essay to show him how it's done!
you feel me!
Sarah Deming's writing IS inviting, and a pleasure to step into.
I like wading out into the writing and feeling her syntax sway up up into my cortex, and the tides and riptides of meaning flow in an out, swirling the bigger world of imagined experience.
I should prob delete this first paragraph, but I've got to put my mild endorphin rush to some good use.
Keep writing.
what a nice comment, thank you
Nice list Ethan.
I'm not sure if I'm good at writing at all. However, I try to avoid four things: predictions, advice, conflicts, and opinions. Key word, avoid, not eliminate. I also try to read paper, not digital, not just because of algorithms etc., but because otherwise you're in the same place as everyone else churning the same ideas.
In contrast, I love research, in other people's writing and my own.
Excellent writing advice! Thank you.
right on
Yes. yes, yes! Superb Ethan!
Thanks very much
I have great respect for you as a musician and writer, and I understand how badly the first person has been used, but this isn't the Times, and many great writers have included themselves in their journalistic accounts, if in unorthodox ways, from Kerouac to Issac Rosenfeld to Hunter Thompson to Norman Mailer (his political writing, Armies of the Night, et al) to Harold Rosenberg to Richard Gilman and even Stanley Crouch. I think telling writers that there are certain absolute rules is like telling musicians what they cannot and should not do. It leaves out a certain element and creative touch. I think more relevant is HOW the first person is used and yes, I agree with you, it is generally badly done.
I write in the second paragraph, “most arts education is bunk. Emulate who you admire is the only truly important rule”