I wrote a piece the other day. I was super excited because I felt like I was DOING something with it. It was just sort of a…long-form, more organized stream of consciousness. I was so excited about it that I took it to my critique group with the phrasing of “I don’t know what this is…but it’s something?” and hoped for the best.
The comments were basically all the same. Wonderful writing but what are you trying to say? And that’s the thing…I don’t know. It was simply musings on a specific subject that I thought would make an interesting read. And then the instructor (Hi Kim!) brought up what essays originally were intended to be.
From our friend Wikipedia:
The word essay derives from the French infinitive essayer, “to try” or “to attempt”. In English essay first meant “a trial” or “an attempt”, and this is still an alternative meaning. The Frenchman Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592) was the first author to describe his work as essays; he used the term to characterize these as “attempts” to put his thoughts into writing.”
The academic system has a vastly different view of what an essay should be that I think your typical writer would develop. An academic essay would have a clear thesis, a compelling line of evidence, and a conclusion. All would be wrapped up nice and pretty in a polished bow. Being in academics has shifted my perspective about what a good essay should look like, but the concept of essays may be a bit looser than that.
I think what I long for is to be an essayist. Someone who “attempts” to put their thoughts into writing. It may not be clear and concise, though I would certainly aim for that. Beyond a journal, I want to put my thoughts onto paper and see if anyone else has that same line of thinking or has anything to add.
I love writers like Annie Dillard for her short pieces on very mundane things and what they make her think of. She’s the writer I first really noticed the writing style rather than just the words. I want my pieces to resonate and make people think. I don’t need to be a great journalist or showcase vast research, I just want to showcase my way of thinking and hopefully lead others to see things a new way.
Who are your favorite essayists? What should I read next to explore this form of writing?
Happy Reading!
Rachel
Subtle Stories 