I'm Getting Sick of Details

Lately my reading experience has been chafed considerably by something I'm embarrassed to get upset over. That being, what I consider, too many details. As I read more literature it's becoming clear to me that when it comes to this medium, I'm a story guy. I want to be riveted and intrigued by narrative. However as I enter the fourth book in Steven King's "The Dark Tower" series, I'm having trouble drudging through what I previously believed was a compelling story. King, and many other authors in my opinion, get too caught up in their own writing and begin to add far too many details than necessary to tell a vivid and lofty story. As I read what I beleive to be massive side tracks I can't help but want to check wikipedia for what happens the rest of the book. Yes, exposition is a necessity for creating a good novel, but there is a line to be drawn. Perhaps I'm just too cranky when I read, and I'm missing the bigger picture. Perhaps...

I See America Competing

I SEE America competing, the many attempts I see;

Those of working men--each of them buying their way to acceptance, sad and pathetic,

The teenager competing, as he thrives for his peers' attention,

The spoiled child competing for what he believes he's entitled to,

The parent competing through their offspring when they have no outlet themselves,

The aspiring performer competing for the affection, and attention of his country,

The corporate leader competing for control of his market, with Machiavellian method,

The governement bigshot competing for aristocratic approval,

The self-deprecating every man competing with himself for a sense of peace,

Competing, with narrow minds, for their misplaced priotrities and ideals.

Self Reliance

"What have I to do with the sacredness of traditions, if I live wholly from within?"

This emerson quote put into words what has been my view on tradition for quite some time. I've been bothered by the concept of tradition. It's restrictive, and at many times unnecessary. I'm not saying all tradition is bad, but I do beleive it's largely unnecessary. In my perfect world everyone would create there own life. Is it not a bit selfish to pass down, or in some cases force your ways onto your offspring? If the world was my way, everyone would create their own personal philosophy and way of life.

Using tradition there isn't much room for improvement. Things can be changed here and there, but it largely keeps things the way they are. From a worldly perspective, traditionalism is dangerous as you can't stay the same while the world obstensibly changes. You must attune things to fit the current times.

Humanism In Writing

Reading the first chapter of The Great Gatsby re sparked my interest in the writing of psychology. Yes, you read that correctly, the writing of psychology. It's my personal opinion that an author's ability to break down and compose the human condition, at least when dealing with characters, is the most important factor in creating compelling prose.
This is not an easy thing to do however. Writing about the inner workings and motivations of characters' is tricky. The writer runs the risk of applying too many of their own idiosyncracies into the writing. Having a strange or abnormal way of viewing things, though creative when executed correctly, can alienate the reader and dislodge them from the world the author is trying to pull them into.
It's also important not to be too convoluted in your interpretations of humanism. It's rarely a good idea to fill your writing with complex ideas related to a characters psyche or motivations. it detracts from the potential deepness of the plot.

Non-fiction is Killing Me

In true blog fashion, I'm going to take some time to bitch and moan, and share my opinions as if they matter. Lets do this.



I hate non-fiction. Why? That's what I'm still trying to figure out. I have a few ideas that might be relevant however. Perhaps it is because my over imaginative mind is so over saturated with thoughts of the fantastical nature that when I'm presented with things grounded in reality my brain immediately dismisses it. This is not something I am proud of, I would like to be interested in non-fiction, as there is a lot to learn about. I am, however, finding it difficult to analyze these non-fiction writings in a thorough matter, even when I'm trying.
Another possibility is that these writings do not contain the narrative hooks I'm so accustomed to. The conflicts aren't ambiguous enough, more enemies are created than friendships, and much of it is irrational in retrospect-and that's all I can pull out of much of the writing.
I will persevere though. It would be selfish of me to expect a class to cater to my interests, and only my interests. Thankfully, some of the more philosophically based essays are catching my attention, which is much better than nothing.