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Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Conviction and the Big Eraser

 


Welcome readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!

For the third time this year, it’s the First Wednesday of the month when we celebrate IWSG Day, in the form of a blog hop featuring all of the members of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Founded by Alex Cavanaugh and fostered by like-minded associates, IWSG is a place to share the fabulous views and exciting news that occurs along our fascinating writing journeys. Pull up a chair and join us!

Our awesome co-hosts for this month’s posting of the IWSG are: 

Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose!

It’s National Write A Letter of Appreciation Week! If you were going to write one, what would your subject be? My topic would be common business sense, but I don’t know who I’d address the letter to just now. ;-)

Amid canceled book and movie contracts, they’ve expanded the definition of cancel-worthy language – yikes! Is “woke” still a word?

Now that Mr. Potatohead has been reduced to just a potato, I wonder what will become of Gumby.

Literary Agents, however, are always looking for new subject matter featuring unique characters from diverse backgrounds cast in distinctively challenging roles. Well, of course, we say. That’s what writers strive to do, we swear. And that’s all well and good as long as we understand the ever-changing rules.


According to the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom, in the last ten years, Children’s books have been banned or challenged for inappropriate/unsuitable for the age group (in this day and age?), books for YA audiences for featuring a YA main character (because this makes sense?) Further, books containing diverse content were challenged or banned for diverse content.

Now that treasured works by Dr. Seuss have suffered the fate of other greats such as Anne Frank, Roald Dahl, and Dav Pikey, what message does that send to us, the up-and-coming literary icons? We’ve got to be on our game, that’s what. Read till our eyes peel, write our fingers to the bone, use every possible resource available, and remember:

What do we do when the sharpest pencil is still no match for the Big Eraser? Simple. We use indelible words with a conviction that our work will endure and the world will one day right itself. Again.

Has the current “Cancel Culture” affected how you view your writing future? If so, how?

Now that you know what’s been on my mind, what's on yours?

Until again, Happy Writing!

 

 

14 comments:

  1. Hi Diedre - I've always written letters out ... but often more like blog-posts ... general but with historical aspects included. I'm into reading many educative books, articles etc - I enjoy a good murder mystery ... but make sure I mainly stick to reading other books. All the best - Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary!

      I enjoy your blog-posts! You've a knack for thoughtfully weaving historic lessons and contemporary issues into future solutions ;-)

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  2. You're right that we have to be on our game. I'm actually glad that Dr. Seuss decided to pull those books. He wrote some fantastic books for kids and their actions will help preserve the good parts of his writing.

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    1. Hi Natalie!

      Were the beloved children's author still alive today, I think he might stand his ground against cancellation by his own political party. But yes, I'm glad they've allowed the preservation of work they've approved of. Now, if it were up to children...I doubt there'd be an issue ;-)
      I hear sales of his work have soared in recent days!

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  3. They will keep erasing until everything is as bland as vanilla.

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    1. Howdy, Captain!

      And writers will keep on writing ;-)

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  4. I've been intending to write a letter to my oldest granddaughter, maybe not so much in appreciation as a message regarding legacy of the family. It is because I appreciate her and my other grandkids and I want to start leaving some of my things to them in hopes they will carry on my memory to some extent after I've left this Earth. Not in a morbid sense, but in a realistic view of life.

    I hate seeing the paths that educators and others are trying to push kids down. Just let them be kids and develop their ideas in a natural way rather than force what is to me weird thinking. There are just some things that I don't think kids need to be dwelling upon.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Oh, do write the letter to your granddaughter, you won't regret it ;-) Your views on memories and legacies are exactly what's needed these days, I think.

      I couldn't agree more about how and what our children are and aren't learning of late. I hope the situation improves in the very near future. I know it's possible ;-)

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  5. Excellent post today, Deidre. If I was to write a letter of appreciation, I'd write to my son. He's a person I appreciate more than anyone in my life. In fact, you've inspired me. I think I'll write that letter.

    Thanks for the nudge. :-)

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    1. Hi Lee!

      Oh yes, write the letter! Over the last year my daughter started sending letters, leaving 'sticky' notes around the house when she's here. I love that touching gestures are trending again ;-)

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  6. What a wonderful post, Diedre! I love your note at the end: We use indelible words with a conviction that our work will endure and the world will one day right itself. Again. Here's hoping! Stay well, my friend.

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  7. I think any society that tries to put limits on what an artist can say or do doesn’t deserve art. Bad precedents are being set.

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    1. Hi Rich!

      I agree. Opposing views should never result in the hostile imposition of one or the other. I don't like asparagus, but I'll not protest the sale of it to others.

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Any thoughts? Join the conversation, comments welcome here!