Written by Dallas Hyland
Gene Fowler once said something like this, “Writing is easy. You just stare at the blank sheet until your forehead bleeds.”
Or the blank screen.
We had a couple of writers take some time off this month for the holidays. Some are in school and expressed the stress of finals and such. Others have family coming to town for Christmas, and a few even dared to admit they were just out of material.
Come again?
Even in this quaint little would-be metropolis, surely it is evident that there are copious amounts of subject matter with which to opine. But that is the thing about opinion work, it is not necessarily doled out by an editor in the form of an assignment. There is a saying that if the desire to write is not followed by writing, then the desire is not to write. This is not always true however. The subject matter for a given column is largely dependent upon the volition of the writer, and sometimes, even the most consistent of the lot comes up blank at times. It happens.
It is how a given writer handles such moments of desolation in creativity that will determine whether they press on in the craft and make a career of it, or if they will become an occasional contributor (or a blogger perhaps).
Call this my admonition to those who aspire to write if you like.
As the year draws to a close, you may have noticed that the Independent has seen some exponential growth. We are expanding in all sections and as such, are developing a core group of writers as well as a host of regular contributors.
As we embrace the rapidly and aggressively evolving news medium, we recognize that gone are the days of the traditional paper as we know it. Freelance contributors are the norm and they come from a host of diverse backgrounds. It can be messy at times and certainly offends the senses of some old school editors, but it is happening at such breakneck speed, that the mantra is quite literally, “evolve or die.”
In the opinion section, we have a core group of regular columnists as well as contributors. Some have writing backgrounds while others are simply members of the community with something to say.
At the core of a good opine, is this: Done well, it incites a rigorous dialogue on matters of consequence.
This is to say that while taking a stand on an issue, perhaps going as far as to make a call to action or offer a solution, what can positively come about from such writing is an intelligent conversation. Perhaps a difficult conversation, where consensus of opinion differs to a degree that causes some consternation, but a conversation none-the-less. The byproduct, however, is worth it I believe.
It is my experience that the people of this community, regardless of professed affiliations, have more in common than they sometimes realize. We all want similar things that mostly revolve around quality of life and fairness.
It is when we are entrenched in those affiliations that I think viable solutions are stifled. And this is where the inciting of a dialogue has the ability to press us forward.
John Stuart Mill said that the man who knows not the inverse of his argument, knows little of his own. This is to say that while we may disagree on a given subject, having the mindset of absolute right without considering the views of those who think differently, has never fared well for any community.
So to my admonition, I encourage the reader to join the conversation. And, if so inclined, venture out of the comments section and put your thoughts down and submit them to us here at the Independent. Incite a dialogue of your own.
See you out there.
