But “surface” is not Julian’s style as far as I can tell, and neither is it mine. I suspect that’s why his work speaks to me with such murky clarity. Exclamation takes me on a journey beginning with Julian’s early years as a journalist and winds its way along one of his storied paths to his current iteration as a human being.
In it, Julian tells us of his editor censuring his use of exclamation points/marks and his subsequent refusal to include them in his work as a journalist. The piece, then, brings us to Julian’s use of exclamation points in his poetry and fiction. At this point in the piece, it appears that poor little exclamation marks are finally being given their due, being reclaimed from the land of the banished.
Oh, heads up: This really isn’t an “analysis” of Julian’s piece, merely offering some context for what I’m about to express.
That said, if you haven’t heard or read Exclamation, it is a treat. I’m listening/reading as I write and DAYAM! What a mind! What craft! Beats the hell outta Minecraft in my book! Did you notice the 4, I repeat 4 exclamation points in that last bit?
At one point, Julian’s poem suggests that “the words alone are enough. No exclaiming needed.” Yet the piece also intimates that “being” the exclamation mark might just be the ticket. Just one of the many “points” to examine in Julian’s remarkable expression.
It could have ended there for me…with just some pondering of the nuanced messaging, but in two email interactions I was party to, another poet/editor suggested removing the word “very” from “very special” in a flyer. It was the second time I had seen that recommendation from this person. It is a recommendation consistent with today’s accepted, muted manner of expressing. MS Word will question your usage of terms like “really” in a similar context.
All of the above is mere preamble to protest. I hereby officially protest all attempts to mute my voice in all cases where my intent is to express without harmful intent. In other words, just about always.
The words “very,” “really,” “truly,” etc. are intended to convey something to the reader/listener, just as exclamation points/marks are. If we are speaking and I am excited you will be able to hear it in my voice, witness it in my expressions, feel it emanating from me energetically.
Why should that be different in writing? I have neither need nor desire to hide my emotion from you. Of course, in a culture that appears to cherish deception, there should be no surprise that authentic expression and interaction beyond flatline are of questionable value.
At one point, Julian’s poem suggests that “the words alone are enough. No exclaiming needed.” Yet the piece also intimates that “being” the exclamation mark might just be the ticket. Just one of the many “points” to examine in Julian’s remarkable expression.
It could have ended there for me…with just some pondering of the nuanced messaging, but in two email interactions I was party to, another poet/editor suggested removing the word “very” from “very special” in a flyer. It was the second time I had seen that recommendation from this person. It is a recommendation consistent with today’s accepted, muted manner of expressing. MS Word will question your usage of terms like “really” in a similar context.
All of the above is mere preamble to protest. I hereby officially protest all attempts to mute my voice in all cases where my intent is to express without harmful intent. In other words, just about always.
The words “very,” “really,” “truly,” etc. are intended to convey something to the reader/listener, just as exclamation points/marks are. If we are speaking and I am excited you will be able to hear it in my voice, witness it in my expressions, feel it emanating from me energetically.
Why should that be different in writing? I have neither need nor desire to hide my emotion from you. Of course, in a culture that appears to cherish deception, there should be no surprise that authentic expression and interaction beyond flatline are of questionable value.
I suspect that the prevailing social tendency to frown upon the expression of emotion (unless it’s to gush about how wonderful someone or something is), to promote the suppression of self contributes significantly to the dis-ease prevalent in human societies.
So, even if editors of publications and/or every other living being on the planet pans the use of exclamation marks/points, I retain the right to use them at my discretion when they “FEEL” appropriate! That, my friends, is an emphatic statement worthy of an exclamation mark, caps, etc. I want you to know how strongly I feel, and no, the mere words won’t cut it.
Ahhh, there’s my rant for the day…Thanks for hanging in there until the end and I always welcome opposing views 😉. Thanks Julian, cher for the inspiration. 🙏
So, even if editors of publications and/or every other living being on the planet pans the use of exclamation marks/points, I retain the right to use them at my discretion when they “FEEL” appropriate! That, my friends, is an emphatic statement worthy of an exclamation mark, caps, etc. I want you to know how strongly I feel, and no, the mere words won’t cut it.
Ahhh, there’s my rant for the day…Thanks for hanging in there until the end and I always welcome opposing views 😉. Thanks Julian, cher for the inspiration. 🙏
Thanks for the review/rant.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing Exclamation.
If one person reads Julian's Exclamation as a result of the above, mission accomplished. Thanks for dropping in and for leaving a comment. The encouragement is appreciated. 🙏
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