I liked this section -- it makes me want to try and write something over the summer just to enter and see what happens.
Do you really think there is no hope for college students and reading? I am not saying this because I am a college student who reads and who knows other avid readers, but are you just saying that in general, this skill of reading and writing is diminishing?
That's sad but I also see it happening -- particularly with audio books, book summaries, and the like.
What kind of author do YOU think can or should submit work to this contest? Is it realistic to expect an author to promote values that are clear and relatable while still creating a good story with hope that is not shot through with politics?
If anyone could write a Great American Novel, Millie, my money would be on you! Glad you liked the article and I do hope you think about writing something this summer (whether you enter it or not is up to you).
I don't think I said anywhere that there is no hope for college students and reading, but I would argue that *good* reading and writing are diminishing. This is due in part to a variety of things: distraction in the form of other media, less challenging material, people not doing it as much (see the study I posted; people like the idea of reading but few actually do it).
All of this combines to form what I think the true problem is: we're seeing good writing diminish because we're seeing critical thinking diminish. In addition, we've made bad writing so easy via social media and blog posts (and commenting and texting) that very few people attempting to write even think about good structure and other such fundamentals. And dependence on AI is only going to make that worse.
I think there are good writers out there, and I think they (and you) are more than capable of writing strong, inspiring, well-structured, thoughtful stories. Will they ever reach Great American Novel status? As I alluded above, the question in my mind is as much about the culture and audience as the writer. Is there enough that is "American" in our shared experience (and enough Americans interested in said shared experience) to catapult a book to levels that involve a shelf life beyond its print run? Maybe. Or maybe not.
Who could write it? Someone with at least as much perseverance as perspective, who doesn't take himself/herself too seriously, but who is diligently passionate about honest and true characters in an honest and true story. Throw in the right people in their corner (fans, probably an agent, and a publishing house that can and will put more money behind it than just some initial prize money), and yes, it could happen.
Re: Being a good-ish person, ouch. I just finished reading CS Lewis' The Problem of Pain, and he echoes the Bible's observation on our helpless condition: rebellion is in me, it IS me, and truth be told, I kinda like it, made all the worse by diminishing the extent of its ability to convince me otherwise. It's also why it hurts to surrender and admit I'm in dire need of rescue. Sorry NPR, respect to ya, but I must dissent. Thankful for you brother! :)
I liked this section -- it makes me want to try and write something over the summer just to enter and see what happens.
Do you really think there is no hope for college students and reading? I am not saying this because I am a college student who reads and who knows other avid readers, but are you just saying that in general, this skill of reading and writing is diminishing?
That's sad but I also see it happening -- particularly with audio books, book summaries, and the like.
What kind of author do YOU think can or should submit work to this contest? Is it realistic to expect an author to promote values that are clear and relatable while still creating a good story with hope that is not shot through with politics?
If anyone could write a Great American Novel, Millie, my money would be on you! Glad you liked the article and I do hope you think about writing something this summer (whether you enter it or not is up to you).
I don't think I said anywhere that there is no hope for college students and reading, but I would argue that *good* reading and writing are diminishing. This is due in part to a variety of things: distraction in the form of other media, less challenging material, people not doing it as much (see the study I posted; people like the idea of reading but few actually do it).
All of this combines to form what I think the true problem is: we're seeing good writing diminish because we're seeing critical thinking diminish. In addition, we've made bad writing so easy via social media and blog posts (and commenting and texting) that very few people attempting to write even think about good structure and other such fundamentals. And dependence on AI is only going to make that worse.
I think there are good writers out there, and I think they (and you) are more than capable of writing strong, inspiring, well-structured, thoughtful stories. Will they ever reach Great American Novel status? As I alluded above, the question in my mind is as much about the culture and audience as the writer. Is there enough that is "American" in our shared experience (and enough Americans interested in said shared experience) to catapult a book to levels that involve a shelf life beyond its print run? Maybe. Or maybe not.
Who could write it? Someone with at least as much perseverance as perspective, who doesn't take himself/herself too seriously, but who is diligently passionate about honest and true characters in an honest and true story. Throw in the right people in their corner (fans, probably an agent, and a publishing house that can and will put more money behind it than just some initial prize money), and yes, it could happen.
Get writing.
Re: Being a good-ish person, ouch. I just finished reading CS Lewis' The Problem of Pain, and he echoes the Bible's observation on our helpless condition: rebellion is in me, it IS me, and truth be told, I kinda like it, made all the worse by diminishing the extent of its ability to convince me otherwise. It's also why it hurts to surrender and admit I'm in dire need of rescue. Sorry NPR, respect to ya, but I must dissent. Thankful for you brother! :)
“…and truth be told, I kinda like it…”
This (among a jillion other reasons) is why we’re friends, Catherine.
Thanks for reading.
Goodness is way overated. The Bible tells us so.
After so many years. I finally convinced myself that I can never be good enough to earn salvation and that my only hope is in God's grace.
Yet so many people think that Goodness is the way. People who have been churched for decades. Like me, they aren't listening.
I listen to many teachers. One, I
heard Tim Keller say, "If you think your good deeds are good, they're No Good. If you think they're no good, worthless, etc. then they are good.
A paradox for sure.
Joe
Thanks for your thoughts, Joe. I remember this being a theme of yours when I interviewed you for the podcast. Points for being consistent! https://craigdunham.substack.com/p/on-the-podcast-joe-pravetz
Hope you’re well.