Followers


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY E.B. WHITE: HOW THE AUTHOR SHAPED MY LIFE


HAPPY BIRTHDAY E.B. WHITE!

E.B. White was born today in Mount Vernon, New York, in 1899. As I’m writing this, a tiny spider has spent the past week living on my lampshade and crawling around my desk in stutter steps. Of course whenever I see a spider, especially a tiny one, I think of Charlotte’s little spiders in Charlotte's Web. Like Fern with the runt pig soon to be named Wilbur, I’ve already saved this spider from impending death a few times. First, from being swallowed up by my keyboard (a quick turning over of the keys and a few shakes brought the spider out, from which he landed upside down but somehow righted himself. I’m convinced it is a he). And second, from being killed by me. I confess that when I first saw him stutter-stepping in between the lined paper of my revision notes I grew frightened, took the paper into the bathroom where I dropped him in the waste basket, only to feel guilty and find him again, gently coaxing him back onto the paper (this took three attempts) and then back onto my desk where he could crawl up my owl lamp and onto the lampshade where he lives.  

                 THAT’S THE IMPACT E.B. WHITE HAS HAD ON ME. 

(Looking for the spider at this moment, I notice that ironically, he’s got a thread-like line between my illustration of a pig and my computer screen, and I quickly move my paperweight out of crushing distance.)
E. B White writing at his Brooklin farm in Maine.

E. B. White also taught me a lot about writing. Like a good beginning and how details matter--the kind of detail that editors might want to remove--the kind of detail you fight to keep in manuscripts so that readers like you and me can enjoy a line about the rain because it’s just, well … enjoyable. (Even though it doesn’t propel the story forward.) CASE IN POINT: the opening of Chapter 4 in Charlotte's Web

Rain fell in the barnyard and ran in crooked courses down into the lane where thistles and pigweed grew. Rain spattered against Mrs. Zuckerman's kitchen windows and came gushing out of the downspouts. Rain fell on the backs of the sheep as they grazed in the meadow. When the sheep tired of standing in the rain, they walked slowly up the lane and into the fold.

Now doesn't that make you feel differently about sheep or at the very least, want to find out what pigweed looks like? 

As for how to write something in a grammatically acceptable way, I’ve also been carrying around a copy of The Elements of Style since I was a teenager. (White edited the definitive guide on grammar & style.)  And I know I should be reading it more often than I do.

In 1978, White was awarded a special Pulitzer Prize for his body of work as a whole. He died seven years later at age 86 of Alzheimer’s disease, which makes me sad. I wouldn’t have wanted him forgetting how much his work mattered to so many people, or how many lives he changed with his books. 

My love for animals grew because of him and does to this day. My love of Maine is also another thread that E.B.White wove into my life. 

And on the 60th anniversary year of Charlotte’s Web, and what would have been E. B. White’s 113th birthday, I encourage you to think happy thoughts about animals--including spiders--and to think about dusting off your copy of Charlotte’s Web and reading it again.

9 comments:

  1. As we move to handheld devices, users want their digital lives wherever they go.
    7 Ideal Tax Environment: Not only can the paphos car hire company offers some type of iPhone 3 G-like case.
    Summer time is always the luxury paphos car hire London rentals.
    This is their preferred method of transportation to get around while avoiding many of the websites that offer cheap flights from London to
    paphos car hire. The following comprehensive ground transportation guide can help make planning this important
    aspect of your holiday schedule looks!

    my webpage :: car rental paphos airport

    ReplyDelete
  2. Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is important and all. Nevertheless think
    of if you added some great graphics or videos to give
    your posts more, "pop"! Your content is excellent but with
    images and video clips, this blog could certainly
    be one of the very best in its niche. Very good blog!


    Feel free to surf to my webpage: tobacco e-liquid

    ReplyDelete
  3. First of all I want to say excellent blog! I had a quick question which I'd like to ask if you don't mind.
    I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing.
    I've had difficulty clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out there. I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips? Cheers!

    my blog; wiki.oranim.ac.il

    ReplyDelete
  4. All the above can be done and also the distance of
    the venue is too short from your exact location, it is a necessity in which, before you go.
    You will also save yourself a considerable amount of bloatware.
    Bank of paphos car hire and paphos car hire reunification, which the E.



    Feel free to visit my weblog :: http://laikepo.blogspot.fr/

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello, after reading this remarkable paragraph i am as well glad
    to share my familiarity here with friends.

    My blog post :: http://www.ultimate-wuerzburg.de

    ReplyDelete
  6. Choose an economical Paphos Car Hire La Rochelle Airport offer right away.
    Other than money off coupons veteran military official or active duty officials, national guard and their families.
    But is this deal too good to be true?

    Take a look at my site: Car Rental Paphos Cyprus

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have been browsing online more than three hours today, yet
    I never found any interesting article like yours.

    It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made
    good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.


    My web-site - nikotin

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi, i think that i noticed you visited my weblog thus i got here to return the want?
    .I am trying to in finding things to improve my website!
    I suppose its ok to make use of some of your ideas!!

    Also visit my web-site; elektronisk cigaret

    ReplyDelete