final draft podcast

I believe... in literature, simple as that. The beauty of the written word, (and believe me, it is beautiful) is in its deceptive complexity. I count myself among the millions of literate humans who, at one point in our life, have sat down in front of a computer, typewriter, or piece of parchment and said to ourselves, "Writing is easy, I can do this." 2 hours later, when the extent of our work is the title and first chapter heading, we realize the folly of their assumption.
Ironically, writing is difficult for the exact same reason that many people think it would be easy. Writing is simply the transfer of ideas and emotions onto paper. It seems that it would be a breeze, because, after all, every time that two or more people interact, they are constantly doing just that, passing along emotions and ideas, whether through facial expressions, intonation, or complex Powerpoints, it boils down to the same thing. I can have a natural and powerful conversation with my friend, but when it comes to writing a coherent sentence, I draw a blank. The beauty of writing is that while it does just communicate emotions and ideas, it does so in such potent and concentrated form, that it can be more powerful than events in real life.
When my neighbors dog, Chloe, was put to sleep, yes, I was sad, but reservedly, because as people grow older they form a protective shell of detachment so that we are not crippled by constant tragedy. Good writing peels back that shell and unleashes our basest emotions. I had known Chloe for maybe eight years, and I did not shed a tear at her passing. After knowing Flag, the deer in "The Yearling", for maybe a week, I unashamedly cried when Jody was forced to shoot him.
It can work the other way as well. If I feel sad, lonely, or upset, as even I do from time to time, it takes maybe five pages of Dr. Seuss and I feel well again. What truly saddens me, however is the lack of interest invested in literature these days. Writing is being killed, slowly and painfully, by the plethora of visual and auditory entertainment available in our modern society. With so many more superficially interesting options its no wonder less and less people are turning to the bookshelves for a good time. This trend cannot go unstopped. I will keep fighting for literature, and if, in a Bradburian future where knowledge is disdained and books are burned, I die attempting to extinguish the 451 degree flames with my body, so be it.