Writers in the 21st century have a plethora of
tools at their disposal. Computers of one sort or another—whether desktops, notebooks,
or even smart phones—enable writers to record, edit, organize, save, and access
their ideas permanently. Innumerable recording devices empower writers to
monitor audio-visual information exactly as it occurs. This helps to
authenticate or enhance their material. Even things like coffee shops help
writers settle their minds and bodies into a serene working or interviewing
environment.
But these modern blessings rank second to the ancient
virtues of discipline and humility. The lazy writer may never finish the job,
may never see new concepts or angles right before their eyes, may never
discover the fine line between thorough and concise, or may never recognize
their own potential. The proud writer might only consider one point of view,
might only seek uncritical critique, might only allow personal preferences to
guide a story, or might only care about profit and popularity.
Many of the best writers in the world never owned, used, or
even imagined a word processor, digital camera, or Starbucks. But for both the
technological haves and have-nots, good writers think through their stories,
ponder—and maybe even include—data from multiple sources, let others have a say
in their final products, and work as hard and as long as they need in order to
create the very best narratives they can.
No comments:
Post a Comment