Without gushing too overtly, I would say that your writing has been singular in motivating me personally to take up the quill again after many, many years of being told that my own writing style and ear for prose was too “bombastic” or “sensational” or “verbose” (this from my professors and writing teachers): “too purple” as it were, and I distinctly remember opening Atheist Delusions for the first time (which I read in a day, and have annually ever since) and being overcome by the gravity and force of your words and your uncompromising dedication to expanding and amplifying the breadth of English prose both intellectually and stylistically and I remember feeling so relieved and inspired that finally I had found a philosopher who wasn’t just poignant and insightful, but who was first and foremost a true stylist. I was so moved by your writing that it forced me to reconsider my own intellectual trajectory and purpose, that I’d been trying to become a philosopher someday when I should have focused on being the writer I already was. All this is an argument for your Deep Purple title (I think Stephen King’s book is called On Writing) because I’ve been utterly convinced by your “more is more” argument. Thanks again, your work has been profoundly impactful.
Perhaps you will touch on some of this in the upcoming 'On Writing', but I would love to hear about your broader literary practices. How often and for how long do you read? How do you decide what to read? Do you take notes while you read or is your memory sufficient? How do you decide what to write? Do you have regular conversations with other thinkers and writers? What kind of alcohol is usually involved (in reading, writing, and discussing)? Etc.
I have been a subscriber from the beginning. As a retired techie and teacher, as I entered retirement the post in Leaves In The Wind have inspired me to blog, write, and post and have found a new avocation in my retirement. Thank you for inspiration, insights, and a new learning experience.
Without gushing too overtly, I would say that your writing has been singular in motivating me personally to take up the quill again after many, many years of being told that my own writing style and ear for prose was too “bombastic” or “sensational” or “verbose” (this from my professors and writing teachers): “too purple” as it were, and I distinctly remember opening Atheist Delusions for the first time (which I read in a day, and have annually ever since) and being overcome by the gravity and force of your words and your uncompromising dedication to expanding and amplifying the breadth of English prose both intellectually and stylistically and I remember feeling so relieved and inspired that finally I had found a philosopher who wasn’t just poignant and insightful, but who was first and foremost a true stylist. I was so moved by your writing that it forced me to reconsider my own intellectual trajectory and purpose, that I’d been trying to become a philosopher someday when I should have focused on being the writer I already was. All this is an argument for your Deep Purple title (I think Stephen King’s book is called On Writing) because I’ve been utterly convinced by your “more is more” argument. Thanks again, your work has been profoundly impactful.
Here’s hoping your disquisition will be more discerning and instructive than Stephen King’s “On Writing,” lol.
Perhaps you will touch on some of this in the upcoming 'On Writing', but I would love to hear about your broader literary practices. How often and for how long do you read? How do you decide what to read? Do you take notes while you read or is your memory sufficient? How do you decide what to write? Do you have regular conversations with other thinkers and writers? What kind of alcohol is usually involved (in reading, writing, and discussing)? Etc.
De Scribendo, in duabus partibus.
I have been a subscriber from the beginning. As a retired techie and teacher, as I entered retirement the post in Leaves In The Wind have inspired me to blog, write, and post and have found a new avocation in my retirement. Thank you for inspiration, insights, and a new learning experience.
If you're still taking questions for your next question and answer, I would love to know your thoughts on Dr. Wolfgang Smith.