The Doctor T. J. Eckleburg Review ยป ESSAYS | Searching for the Solid I feel as this is an ongoing motif in my writing, a search, in some sense, toward or away from, something. After all, language is always a traveling between the obvious and the obtuse. And the point of a poem, or an essay, for that matter, is to pose questions, not answer them. I hope you enjoy! Also, if it is of interest to you, “Ten Notes to the Guy Studying Jujitsu” will be among the thirty pieces of mine collected in my forthcoming chapbook from Deadly Chaps, Diptychs, Triptychs, Lipsticks and Dipshits. Information will soon be available about how to purchase this. Thanks to editor Rae Bryant for the idea of this “essays” series, and to Vipra Ghimire, Assistant Non-Fiction Editor, for her great editorial guidance. ]]>
Essay: Searching for the Solid
I enjoyed the essay and appreciated the patience of your free-write process. There on the sofa of Alterra coffee shop, it reminded me of Pamela Painter’s words in The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction: “[Writing] Exercises teach you how to hear the outside world as a sea of prompts, a sea of exercises for potential stories.” You were engaged in the ritual of “observational Jujitsu,” Robert, respectful of the simple discipline of creative engagement. With the world. That openness to NOTICING the book in the gentleman, the book in his hands, the title, the free-form association is what defines the artist, for me at least. So happy you were able to run (nay, JOG…no rushing the free-write process) with that concept and turn it into something beautiful and new. These are the small victories that affirm PROCESS over result. And in this case, the result wasn’t too shabby. Thanks for the post!
James, as you often do, these comments astound me with their astute generosity. I am so grateful for them, and for you, my friend.
Thanks for keeping me in the know!
Andrea, my pleasure, and thanks for reading the essay on craft! I hope you are feeling nearly 100% again. xoxo