We need to know where we stand before we stand there, and then imagine the worst of what will happen before we even take the first step toward that place. If we don't, our courage will immediately wane.
This came at a great time. I'm in the process of writing an essay about how authors can craft meaningful science fiction and fantasy. Orwell is one of the primary examples I use, and now you've given me more to consider. Thanks, Charles!
Oooo again, so lush! And again, you write like an intellectual call to arms, but with a powerful subtlety that really gets me going! This is so much. I hope to be as true to my word as Orwell. While I read a great book about his journalism days called Finding George Orwell in Burma, I did not know that he died without money or friends. Really enjoy your writing.
This is great. I throughly enjoyed the way you illuminated Orwell’s conviction and used it as a way to highlight the importance of being precise and true with our words.
“A small, expedient solution is always justified in the moment as the necessary shortcut, the needed conclusion, the agreeable fiction; yet all of these lapses will, eventually, inevitably, compound into something much greater.”
Yes. And this describes our current polarized political moment on both sides. And both sides tout “Orwellian” as describing the “other side.” Very ironic and typical of contemporary America.
We need to know where we stand before we stand there, and then imagine the worst of what will happen before we even take the first step toward that place. If we don't, our courage will immediately wane.
This came at a great time. I'm in the process of writing an essay about how authors can craft meaningful science fiction and fantasy. Orwell is one of the primary examples I use, and now you've given me more to consider. Thanks, Charles!
Great stuff, Charles. This essay is urgent and we need urgency now in the book world.
“What do I know? What’s true? What’s false? What don’t I know? Writers should probably have those answers before they hear the knocks.”
Isn’t it true. The small lies snowball. As for Orwell. I’ve read 1984 and Animal Farm. Clearly, I need to explore further.
Oooo again, so lush! And again, you write like an intellectual call to arms, but with a powerful subtlety that really gets me going! This is so much. I hope to be as true to my word as Orwell. While I read a great book about his journalism days called Finding George Orwell in Burma, I did not know that he died without money or friends. Really enjoy your writing.
This is great. I throughly enjoyed the way you illuminated Orwell’s conviction and used it as a way to highlight the importance of being precise and true with our words.
This was a wonderfully well written read.
Thank you
“A small, expedient solution is always justified in the moment as the necessary shortcut, the needed conclusion, the agreeable fiction; yet all of these lapses will, eventually, inevitably, compound into something much greater.”
Yes. And this describes our current polarized political moment on both sides. And both sides tout “Orwellian” as describing the “other side.” Very ironic and typical of contemporary America.
I wrote about Orwell here: https://michaelmohr.substack.com/p/george-orwell-a-life
Michael Mohr
‘Sincere American Writing’
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/