Writing: It's Harder Than It Looks

While browsing the New York Times Web site, I came across an opinion column by Timothy Egan titled "Typing Without a Clue." The blurb read, "Publishers, let’s set some ground rules: Anyone who abuses the English language on such a regular basis should not be paid to put words in print." After my recent experience with the Twilight Saga, I was eager to hear someone else bash bad writers.

Unlike my Twilight experience, I was not disappointed.

Though Egan didn't mention "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer as someone who shouldn't be allowed near a writing utensil, I truly enjoyed his column. He talked about a new book by Samuel Wurzelbacher (aka Joe the Plumber) and the fact that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is worth nearly $7 million should she ever put her thoughts on paper. He immediately followed with a typical convoluted Palin quote, which inspired the story blurb. Anything that pokes fun at the would-be vice president is right up my alley.

Egan asserted that good writers often work hard for little money and even less recognition, only to learn that someone who can barely string together a sentence is getting a book deal. Writing isn't easy, he said, quoting notable authors who struggled against an empty page. He suggested that if Wurzelbacher really wanted to become a writer, he should read good writing first. Egan hopes that a Barack Obama presidency will raise the standards of the American publishing industry.

As someone who has chosen editing as her career goal, I believe that the quality of American writing helps define our country and our culture. Be it good or bad, writing is the legacy we leave for future generations. I hope to be a positive force in the publishing industry by refusing to allow bad writing to be published. There are plenty of good writers out there who work hard and deserve a little piece of immortality. That's what I want to do as an editor: find good writers and reward them.

Fortunately, there is way for bad writers to have their voices heard that doesn't require publishing houses or unsuspecting readers to spend money on garbage. It's called blogging.

To read Egan's article, visit:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/opinion/07egan.html?ref=opinion

Saving the Arapaho Language

As I was browsing for an article to react to, I came across a New York Times story about the Arapaho tribe of American Indians trying to preserve their native language. In the late 1800s, the U.S. government started boarding schools to educate and "Americanize" Indian children, forbidding them to hold on to tribal customs or even speak their native languages. As a direct result of that initiative, there are only about 200 Arapaho speakers alive today.

Fearing for the fate of their heritage, the Arapaho at Wyoming's Wind River Reservation have established a school where children will learn strictly in their native language. Currently there are about 22 children ranging in age from pre-kindergarten to first grade enrolled at the school. Administrators plan to add a grade each year. Tribal elders hope the school will create a whole new generation of Arapaho speakers.

When I began reading, the first two paragraphs immediately drew me in to the story. It began with a brief anecdote about a 69-year-old Arapaho woman, then immediately shifted to an excellent quote. The article flowed well, explaining the urgency of creating the school and the repercussions of losing a native language. It showed how the loss of a language has a far greater impact than one might assume. Teaching children Arapaho not only preserves the tribe's culture; it also creates an environment where that culture is honored and valued.

The end of the article really impressed me. It included an anecdote of tribal elders listening quietly to songs sung in Arapaho at the school's opening ceremony. The anecdote is followed by this quote: “They are the ones who whispered it on the playground when nobody was looking.” It perfectly links the beginning and ending of the article while showing the strength and perseverance of the Arapaho people.

To read the article, click here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/17arapaho.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=arapaho&st=cse&oref=slogin