Essays

[DavidDvorkin]

In the "Does the current situation keep you from writing?" thread, I said I had started putting essays up on my Web site. Here's the latest one, and I'd very much welcome comments on it:

http://www.dvorkin.com/essays/provo.htm

I'd also like to recommend this practice to anyone with a Web site. You get things off your chest without having to worry about what a magazine would or would not publish. Of course, very few people will end up reading it, in all probability. Nonetheless, it's out there, and sometimes it can get read by more people than you'd expect.

I've this very beneficial emotionally, and it's freed up the writing juices in general.

[whistle]

1. That is a brilliant piece David, I shall return to it and read it again...

...Please keep us posted on what you have to say. Thank you for opening up and inviting me to your site.

[DavidDvorkin]

2. Golly, thanks.

"Brilliant." I like that!

[SeveneightyWhoa]

3. If you want to get your stuff read, submit it to Counterbias

My site, www.counterbias.com .

If its good (and it seems like it is!), I'll publish it; we get five-to-ten-thousand hits per month, so it will get read.

[DavidDvorkin]

4. Cool, SeveneightyWhoa

I e-mailed the address on your site, but I'll ask you here, too.

Is there an upper length limit? The essay is fairly long.

Is HTML acceptable (the current format, obviously), or do you want it in text or Word?

[SeveneightyWhoa]

6. HTML is fine.

If you ever do submit something in the future, Word is fine too (preferably single-spaced, Verdana font, size 12 type).

Oh and I did just e-mail you back.

[DavidDvorkin]

8. I see it's up on Counterbias now.

Thanks!

[Trillo]

5. Ambivalence

without having to worry about what a magazine would or would not publish.

Aren't magazines part of MSM?

[SeveneightyWhoa]

7. Depends on what magazines you're talking about.

If you classify radio, TV, magazines, and newspapers as mainstream media, what really do we have left?

[whalerider55]

9. David

just one reading, but it looks very potent and thoughtful. this thread has been really helpful; i also write essays (and have a weekly paper column that started out about being a stay-at-home dad, but has evolved).

i hope to follow up with the rec's on this thread, and maybe look to post more stuff on the web...

whalerider55

aka Brtuce Menin

[DavidDvorkin]

10. Thanks, Bruce

Essays are an interesting form. We're forced to work on them, usually very formal, rigid versions, when we're young, and then few of us ever write them again. Not the rigidly defined kinds, anyway.

I suppose modern journalism has taken their place, especially with so many small magazines and Web publications available. And pure opinion pieces on personal Web sites, of course.

Bruce, are you the columnist published in the Merrimack River Current? I Googled your name, and that result seemed the most likely one, given what you said about yourself.

[whalerider55]

11. yup

among other incarnations

i do some features for them, offten about music.
green school committee member too.

not the bruce menin who owns half of manhattan, tho.

Have you read the Philip LoPate compendium on the Personal Essay?
very informative, and just overflowing with wonderful essays- a great bedside book.

Burce

[DavidDvorkin]

12. Cool

Any chance of syndication, or is that not on your menu?

I haven't heard of that book. I'll have to look it up.