Revision-Reflection-Alternatives in Writing

I give a lot of thought to my writing before I sit down and start typing. I have a tendency to think through the paper I want to write to the extent of what I want to say and how I want to say it . The genre is normally defined by the nature of the writing itself and that genre normally enables or disables what I want to say and how I will say it. In the case of a letter-to-the-editor, I have a limited amount of space and a small opportunity window to captivate my reader and tell my story before the reader moves on. I need to engage the reader quickly and keep their attention through a limited amount of space. Many readers skip to the writers name before they decide whether they read the article or pass over it. I think that has to do with the credibility and authority of the writer, past esperience as a reader, and the merits of what that person might have to say from previous writings. If I start reading a column and the writer says, "you know what I mean" I shut down like a diesel engine that just ran out of fuel. I the writer doesn't show me valid evidence or logic in their reasoning, I rarely continue on with the article. These observations really become the guidelines for my own writing; to provide support and evidence for what I write. Sometimes people just want to vent, or they write from frustration or anger, and those attitudes quickly distort and dimish their credibility and the effort of their story.
I think as writers we ned to reflect on what the purpose of our writing is. Do we want to inform, reflect, argue, or persuade the reader into our belief system, or perhaps just provide a moment of reflection on an issue of general concern to the reader? Whatever the case, we need to keep focus on the object of our writing so that we don't find ourselves speaking to ourself. The writer needs to assess and reassess the objectives of the writing and think about your thinking on the issue during the writing and revision stages. A good exercise is to take a positive position on an issue, and then take the opposite position with another paper. This exercise will help focus on details and strategies, and help clarify thinking on an issue.
There are, of course, alternatives to every writing situation and the exploration of those alternatives. Something may be missing in the piece, or it may be shallow or hallow, or we may feel restricted by the self-imposed boundaries, or we may simply feel restless and unsatisfied. It may be recognition of incompleteness that disturbs the writer. Whatever the case, revision and reflection are opportunities to revisit the writing and reassess the process and post-process of that effort. On a rare occasion, revision may seem inadequate and truely an inappropriate response to my latest effort. The more reasonable and responsible reaction is a complete trashing and a return to invention. Generally these efforts are in response to a good night's sleep and the attitude adjustment that can bring about. Sometimes our mind-set is such that we focus with blinders rather than wide-angle lenses.

Revitalizing "Community"

I'm not sure we will ever see the return of "Community" like that of our forefathers. Times are different today, with computers, internet, cellular phones, cable television, two income families, credit card debt, lack of individual savings, moral degradation, molesters, and economic predation. Broken homes, fatherless children, and nearly 70% divorce rate surrounds all of us. Everyone is chasing the upper middle class standard of living on a lower middle class income. We have become a throw-away, consumer oriented society of wants that exceed needs and income. We are a country drowning in credit card debt, foreclosures, bankruptcy, ethics violations ,and degradation of personal values. We take fewer vacations than any industrialized country and spend more on perscription drugs for hypertension and ulcers than anyone. To make it worse, we are now victims of international terriorism and massive job losses. Do we have time for "Community" and do we need it?
In my community we have a new "splash park." I was opposed to the idea initially, but am gradually changing my mind. I'm changing because I see "Community" in the splash park that I never saw before. I see young families enjoying the water features with their children and the bonding these families are having with other families. There is a genuine common ground for participation and sharing in a healthy open air environment at the splash park. Everyone is welcome, no one is excluded, and there is no charge for participation. While the children are playing, the parents are engaging with other parents, all of whom are participating in "Community."
In the downtown area of my community, we have struggling businesses and vacant buildings like other small rural communities trying to survive the effects of Wal-Mart. People need a reason to come downtown; to shop, dine, or become a participant in 'Community." The attitude of the community must be "Community" for the downtown survival. Communities need to foster activities where participation is open, free, attractive, and safe. Art festivals, car shows, open air shopping, and farmers markets foster the type of atmosphere conductive to "Community." Attractive venues will engender participation which will increase interest and self-perpetuation. Communities need activities every week for the citizenry and visitors who help financially in the support of such endeavors. Continuous activities will foster new businesses that serve the needs of the participants and provide new sources of "Community."
There is a definite need for "Community" within all of us. Isolation and confinement are unhealthy environments for human beings, whether self-imposed or forced. Humans are social beings and need interaction and participation for happiness and health.
Communities need to foster "Community" just as individuals need to participate in "Community." There needs to be life outside of family and work. "Community" provides that third level of activity that everyone needs.

Community

From early spring until late fall they were always there at the retaining wall that surrounded the County Court House in Huntington. These were the retirees who positioned themselves on the concrete parapets facing the rising sun to begin another day of relaxation and conversation with their peers. They were farmer, factory workers, and just plain folks who congregated for companionship and community. Some people started complaining about the "old men," that they were "dirty" and creating an "eyesight" within veryone's view. Some people seemed to be opposed to congregating in a public place that had the appearance of loitering and homelessness. It wasn't long after that the Mayor and Common Council declared it illegal to sit on the parapet surrounding the County Court House, and issued a mandate for those violators to be arrested for loitering. So today, there are no intruders at the Court House wall, and there is no visible participation in "Community" anywhere to be seen.

The Creative Writer

Trying to be creative with a writing project is very challenging. It's not like I can just flip a switch and the creative juices brgin to flow. Sometimes inspiration grabs me by the throat, other times it's like pulling teeth. In order for me to attempt creativity, I need to establish the proper environment to function in. For me solitude is essential. I need to be able to collect my thoughts and mentally explore the assignment in an environment that is protective of intrusion. The confines of my in-home office works best for me. I can close myself off from everyone else, announce my intentions for confinement, and progress undisturbed. Interruptions are creativity killers for me.

Writing Revision

Writing assignments always seem to be subject to revision. Even when completed, the writer often second guesses their message. I'm not sure a writing assignment is ever complete. I think time just runs out. I know in my own writing it often looks different after a nights sleep. Sometimes I discard what I have written and start over. I guess it's the mental state you are in at the time you completed your writing. That can certainly change overnight. A good night's sleep can change your attitude about a lot of things, writing included. A fresh look at a writing assignment can change your perspective in a hurry. I guess that's the idea of revision; an opportunity to rewrite without guilt. When I revise, I try to be concise and clear and think like a reader. It doesn't always work out, but the effort is there

Right a Way

Writing on social and political issues is an interesting way to spend your time with a self imposed writing assignment. A letter to the editor is a good format for this expression. I don't think you necessarily need a lot of background on the issue itself in order to contribute to the public discussion about it. An issue I find interesting in my community is the illegal placement of signs in the public right of ways. Political signs and Realtor signs come to mind as the biggest offenders. My community has an ordinance prohibiting the placement of signs in these areas, but the ordinance has never been enforced in the past thirteen years of its existence. The Community Development office that enacted the ordinance has now decided to enforce it. The questions that immediately came to mind are "Why has the ordinance not been enforced for the past thirteen years?" and "Why now?" It appears counter-productive to enact an ordinance for perceived offenses when there is no enforcement effort in place. Perhaps it was the potential intimidation factor that the originators of the ordinance thought would self-enforce any violations. Some signs have been permanently installed in the right of ways. Community and religious organizations and local businesses make up the majority of these signs. I rather suspect the enforcement policy will be selective and self-serving. How can you squeeze the triger on your own church?