The Joys of Getting It Out There
Writing about the sixth Harry Potter book for this blog (having picked it up last Saturday and finished it Sunday), I thought of the accusation by some people that the series is evil and/or satanic, ostensibly because it contains witchcraft and sorcery. I find this surprising because I think the books can actually serve as moral exemplars for children. To me, the series is no more worthy of the label “evil” than Tolkien’s trilogy or C. S. Lewis’ Narnia Chronicles. So on impulse I sent what I had written to the Orlando Sentinel (which I still read every day because it’s more user-friendly than the Tallahassee Democrat and it feels like home).
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/
[click on "Here's to Positive Force. . . " ]
Over the decades I’ve had many dozen letters-to-the-editor published in the Sentinel (and three in Newsweek, big thrill) and maybe fifteen or more columns like the Harry Potter one. I enjoy this kind of writing because it forces me to clarify my thoughts and examine my arguments for soundness. (This does leave me open to the occasional experience of realizing that I’m just plain full of s*** on a particular topic, no other way to put it; but lucky the person who realizes that, to paraphrase Socrates). Writing letters also makes me feel that even in a small way, I’m exercising my right to free speech, being heard, and taking part in the conversation so necessary for the health of a free country.
[Digression on the subject of civil discourse: I absolutely refuse to let anyone convince me that my fellow Americans with different political views are evil, stupid, brainwashed, or in need of silencing, or that they and their views are only worthy of contempt and dismissal. The day I start believing that, I’ll pack up and move to Saudi Arabia or someplace similar, where there really is only one “acceptable” point of view.]
And finally, there’s the simple thrill of seeing my writing in print. About one out of every three or four letters I send is accepted. The Sentinel has a one-letter-per-sixty-days rule (though it was once relaxed for me), but sometimes I’ll send a letter anyway, knowing it’s ineligible, just for the reasons given above.
I sent a letter week before last that wasn’t accepted and I didn’t expect the Harry Potter column to make it; I felt sure I was just sending it to have sent it. When it was accepted I had a twinge, because I knew it wasn’t my best writing. It’s not bad, but I could have made it better, and I wish I had. I have to rewrite many times to be satisfied, and I didn’t in this case. So that’s an object lesson for me: “Whatever thy hand findeth to do . . .”
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/
[click on "Here's to Positive Force. . . " ]
Over the decades I’ve had many dozen letters-to-the-editor published in the Sentinel (and three in Newsweek, big thrill) and maybe fifteen or more columns like the Harry Potter one. I enjoy this kind of writing because it forces me to clarify my thoughts and examine my arguments for soundness. (This does leave me open to the occasional experience of realizing that I’m just plain full of s*** on a particular topic, no other way to put it; but lucky the person who realizes that, to paraphrase Socrates). Writing letters also makes me feel that even in a small way, I’m exercising my right to free speech, being heard, and taking part in the conversation so necessary for the health of a free country.
[Digression on the subject of civil discourse: I absolutely refuse to let anyone convince me that my fellow Americans with different political views are evil, stupid, brainwashed, or in need of silencing, or that they and their views are only worthy of contempt and dismissal. The day I start believing that, I’ll pack up and move to Saudi Arabia or someplace similar, where there really is only one “acceptable” point of view.]
And finally, there’s the simple thrill of seeing my writing in print. About one out of every three or four letters I send is accepted. The Sentinel has a one-letter-per-sixty-days rule (though it was once relaxed for me), but sometimes I’ll send a letter anyway, knowing it’s ineligible, just for the reasons given above.
I sent a letter week before last that wasn’t accepted and I didn’t expect the Harry Potter column to make it; I felt sure I was just sending it to have sent it. When it was accepted I had a twinge, because I knew it wasn’t my best writing. It’s not bad, but I could have made it better, and I wish I had. I have to rewrite many times to be satisfied, and I didn’t in this case. So that’s an object lesson for me: “Whatever thy hand findeth to do . . .”
posted by Kathy at 7/21/2005 08:12:00 AM
2 Comments:
Couldn't agree more. Imagination and fantasy are critical to development of a child's mind and soul, in my opinion. I'd far rather a grandchild of mine enter Harry Potter's world and see true bravery and love in action than to watch some insipid show that encourages them to be "cool", i.e. a wise-mouthed shallow consumer.
I never realized it until doing some Potter-topic surfing but there's an entire . . . tempted to say cult but I guess it's just a group devoted to proving that literal pacts were made between rocks stars and Satan. I watched the video on the subject and could not believe my eyes. Of course some bands invite and bank on people making this connection; but rock music as a genre as Satan's propaganda?
I love the SNL skit with Will Ferrell as Satan trying to come up with a hit song in exchange for Garth Brooks' soul. All his ideas are terrible (and hilarious) and Brooks finally cancels the deal. Satan/Will, exhausted, asks to leave by the front door rather than a in a flash of sulphurous smoke because "I'm kinda tired."
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