No longer a need for rules that have governed writing
- col-lee-elliot-aging-graciously
- November 15, 2024
- 291
If you are a news junkie, like I am, I’m sure you have become aware of the current trend to criticize everything on Earth. It has reached such a point of silliness that it doesn’t even go in one ear anymore, let alone out the other. At this point it feels harmless, but as I think about it, I’m not so sure.
It is one thing to say, “I don’t think you are doing this right,” “I would do it this way” or “I dislike the way you do things,” but it’s something entirely different to say, “You are stupid or old and therefore useless, or ugly, or not capable, or not deserving of respect.” Those words stick with us, no matter how untrue they may be.
Unfortunately, the trend, exemplified each day by the media, seems to have become an easy way to target those who might disagree with us. In your senior years, after having lived your life the way you thought best, it can be pretty devastating.
I do not believe in false praise. Getting rewarded for participating may be OK in certain cases, but let’s face it: There are winners and losers. We compete to prove that. Again, it is one thing to say, “You did a great job today; I know you did your best even though you lost this time,” as opposed to “Everyone gets a trophy because they played the game.”
Today it might be more like, “Your stupid error caused us to lose the game. You shouldn’t even be allowed to play.” The old saying of “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not true. Words define us and affect our relationships.
Speaking of which, had I been going to vote for someone running for a high office, I would have changed that vote immediately after hearing the words to a television audience, “Me and my partner are going to win.” English teachers of the world, unite.
Also speaking of words, as the world moves forward and we try to keep up, an interesting development is taking place in my work. While writing for newspapers and magazines for nearly 70 years, I have continued to learn new rules and regulations, changes in style, do’s and don’ts, and always tried to follow them.
I loved my English and journalism classes and took them seriously. I love to edit and do that for a number of people in my writing groups. It has always been my goal to help those interested in publishing or just good writing to learn the rules of the game.
Suddenly, it doesn’t matter anymore. Anyone can publish anything, regardless of grammar, usage, lack of content or sense. Self-publishing used to be looked down upon as the way you went when you weren’t good enough to be chosen by a traditional publisher.
Today, self-publishing groups are vying for manuscripts. True, it costs the writer money, and they usually don’t make it up on their sales, but they have books in hand and are now considered authors.
My criticism is not self-publishing and certainly not of those who have written outstanding work and published it themselves because it takes forever to see your words in print through a traditional publisher. It is that there is no longer a need for the rules that have governed writing forever. And therefore, I am no longer needed.
Strange, isn’t it, that along with washing machines, ovens and computers, writers can become obsolete? It is just one more step in accepting change and trying to get a foot up on the next idea. Whatever it is, I know I will try to use the right words.