SLAs masterfully clarify the meaning behind their writing in a “tell, don’t show” sort of way.
You, Sir, are a true SLA. I particularly liked this sentence, as it gave no room for interpretation in the given scene; only the cold, hard facts:
“This was completely shocking and unexpected and suggested she was not as friendly as she seemed!!!!!”
If you hadn’t so artfully included it, I admit the scene’s ending would have left me very confused, and definitely neither shocked nor appalled at the air hostess’s true intentions. Plus, those exclamation points really packed in the thrill.
If the Road to Writerly Success is paved and mortarted already, one might make the mistake of thinking it is easy. Not only must the SLA provide their own shoes with insoles, they must also bring their own illumination to guide the way. Well, assuming they don't get their inspiration from others, which would be tragic.
I'm moved by the way you refuse to let crippling embarrassment at a social faux pas (and yes, Orwell, I *choose* to use a French phrase in preference to the ridiculous Anglo Saxon alternative which your dreary, little-read so-called "Essay" instructs us to use - or to *employ*, I prefer to say) - I refer, of course, to the scene at the coffee shop - prevent you from sharing the details of that utterly crass encountery with we, your students. With us/we, whatever. Your commitment to self-examination in the pursuit of Art is truly Socratic. You, sir, are Socrates! I beseech you not to remain content with oat milk almond lattes, but to request your barrista to furnish you with a drink truly befitting a modern Socrates.
I attempted ordering a Oat Flat White with almond milk yesterday at my local cafe. You’d be appalled to know the barista acted as she had never heard of this drink. Neither one of us has spoken again and I’m currently still in line waiting for her to make the next move.
I am shocked and appalled to see someone using appalled without its partner-in-crime word that always goes with it; breaking an obvious rule of the SLA code!!!!!!!! How SLARPer-y!!!!!!!
Must an author belabour a not-funny-at-all innuendo by means of a mid-sentence aside in parentheses, directing the reader to reread the previous line, as well as employing quadrupled question and exclamation marks prolifically throughout in order to be considered both literary and serious, or is it optional? Asking for a friend.
I met this friend at lunchtime today. I read to him your Serious Literary diary entries for 26 and 27 October. I am sorry to report that he laughed!!!! I was shocked!!!! Shocked and appalled!!!! Though I had thought otherwise, it’s now clear to me that this “friend” no longer has my respect as a Serious Literary Author wannabe. He’s unequivocally a SLARPer.
I have partially followed your example and blocked this person from my Friendster and MySpace accounts. I’m only sad that I don’t have a 3000 word treatise with which to emulate your masterful exercise in SLA education for the masses. Be assured that I hold your writerliness in even higher esteem than previously, if that is possible.
Goodness! As a Worde-Smythe myself, I nearly fell into the easy trap of wanting to conjugate the what-looked-like-a verb, ‘to SLARP’…. Phew! Avoided that embarrassment!
This is absolutely brilliant. Made my day to find it. And shall hie forthwith to my desk and become without further delay an SLA. Cannot think what I was doing slarping my life away.
Thanks for the welcome cathartic release as I complete my lesson plans to help my students distinguish a SLS from a SLARP. Your artistic integrity is a worthy model for today’s college students to admire & emulate.
SLAs masterfully clarify the meaning behind their writing in a “tell, don’t show” sort of way.
You, Sir, are a true SLA. I particularly liked this sentence, as it gave no room for interpretation in the given scene; only the cold, hard facts:
“This was completely shocking and unexpected and suggested she was not as friendly as she seemed!!!!!”
If you hadn’t so artfully included it, I admit the scene’s ending would have left me very confused, and definitely neither shocked nor appalled at the air hostess’s true intentions. Plus, those exclamation points really packed in the thrill.
Thank you for sharing your perfected art with us.
What happens next????!!!!!???!!!?????!!?????!
As the realest SLA Margaret Atwood says, don't let the SLARPers get you down.
You are my best investment, Mr Piper! I’m learning so much from your SLA style.
As enjoyable as ever, thanks for the diary installments, always a pleasure to read your creative and clever texts.
If the Road to Writerly Success is paved and mortarted already, one might make the mistake of thinking it is easy. Not only must the SLA provide their own shoes with insoles, they must also bring their own illumination to guide the way. Well, assuming they don't get their inspiration from others, which would be tragic.
I'm moved by the way you refuse to let crippling embarrassment at a social faux pas (and yes, Orwell, I *choose* to use a French phrase in preference to the ridiculous Anglo Saxon alternative which your dreary, little-read so-called "Essay" instructs us to use - or to *employ*, I prefer to say) - I refer, of course, to the scene at the coffee shop - prevent you from sharing the details of that utterly crass encountery with we, your students. With us/we, whatever. Your commitment to self-examination in the pursuit of Art is truly Socratic. You, sir, are Socrates! I beseech you not to remain content with oat milk almond lattes, but to request your barrista to furnish you with a drink truly befitting a modern Socrates.
I attempted ordering a Oat Flat White with almond milk yesterday at my local cafe. You’d be appalled to know the barista acted as she had never heard of this drink. Neither one of us has spoken again and I’m currently still in line waiting for her to make the next move.
I am shocked and appalled to see someone using appalled without its partner-in-crime word that always goes with it; breaking an obvious rule of the SLA code!!!!!!!! How SLARPer-y!!!!!!!
Shocking and appalling.
Must an author belabour a not-funny-at-all innuendo by means of a mid-sentence aside in parentheses, directing the reader to reread the previous line, as well as employing quadrupled question and exclamation marks prolifically throughout in order to be considered both literary and serious, or is it optional? Asking for a friend.
Please tell your friend that yes, these are both advanced Serious Literary Techniques (SLTs).
I met this friend at lunchtime today. I read to him your Serious Literary diary entries for 26 and 27 October. I am sorry to report that he laughed!!!! I was shocked!!!! Shocked and appalled!!!! Though I had thought otherwise, it’s now clear to me that this “friend” no longer has my respect as a Serious Literary Author wannabe. He’s unequivocally a SLARPer.
I have partially followed your example and blocked this person from my Friendster and MySpace accounts. I’m only sad that I don’t have a 3000 word treatise with which to emulate your masterful exercise in SLA education for the masses. Be assured that I hold your writerliness in even higher esteem than previously, if that is possible.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DBoX8CZpd3C/?igsh=MW80MDlrbWVrZGJlZg==
Goodness! As a Worde-Smythe myself, I nearly fell into the easy trap of wanting to conjugate the what-looked-like-a verb, ‘to SLARP’…. Phew! Avoided that embarrassment!
Here I am, laughing out loud reading your diary, in a supermarket, while waiting for my mom to finish shopping. Thanks for the timely distraction!
This is absolutely brilliant. Made my day to find it. And shall hie forthwith to my desk and become without further delay an SLA. Cannot think what I was doing slarping my life away.
I lament for your predicament at the coffee shop, Daniel.
Thanks for the welcome cathartic release as I complete my lesson plans to help my students distinguish a SLS from a SLARP. Your artistic integrity is a worthy model for today’s college students to admire & emulate.
An intellectual and emotional roller coaster as always