Woman As Art
There was a time many years ago when I decided not to have a television. I was a young writer and I set up some very strict rules for myself to ensure that one day I would be a good writer.
I felt that I should spend my free time reading novels and short stories, not watching television. I felt that television sapped my creativity.
Well, that period in my life lasted about five years.
Eventually, I did get a television. And I’ve enjoyed watching television ever since. I watch public television, sports and the new channels I was able to get with my converter box. I still refuse to pay for cable.
A digital TV converter box (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
So, when my television recently went kaput, I didn’t think too much about it. I just decided to listen to more radio, especially at night. I started to listen to talk-radio.
Some of the stuff the talk-radio hosts talk about is nonsense. Most of them, not all of them, but most of them are in the business of inciting their listeners about whatever happens to be the hot topic in the news.
Fiction Stacks (Photo credit: chelmsfordpubliclibrary)
But here’s the thing; the more successful talk-radio hosts have their own distinct, recognizable style of delivery. They use their voices like musical instruments: pitch, tone, volume, pauses, pacing, elocution, diction, syntax and agenda. Agenda is very important.
A writer must also find his or her own distinct voice if he or she is to stand out from the crowd.
The Old Soldier can’t tell you how to find your own distinct voice. You simple have to know how important a distinct personal voice is and then work your way towards your own distinctive voice.
It’s something I’ve been working towards for years.
This is the Old Soldier reporting from Pittsburgh.
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Be sure to check the front page for the latest update. The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is an online magazine of reporting, writing and brazen sexuality.
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Filed under: Commentaries Tagged: | creativity, distinctive voice, life, novels and short stories, Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette, talk-radio, television, young writer
Oh, gosh. I’m currently in that phase of no television only reading novels, short stories, essays, etc.. I strongly feel television also saps my creativity (or at least blocks it out) and I even feel guilty watching a film these days. I will admit, it does drive me a little crazy sometimes. But that’s when I pick up my pen
Then you know exactly what I’m talking about.
PS I have no doubt that not watching television for those five years did make me a better writer.
Not only that but probably a better reader too? Did any of your perspectives on life change from separating yourself from television and mainly immersing yourself in the world of books?
I don’t know if any of my perspectives on life changed, but I felt more like a writer. I felt like an artist. And that was important.