NOVA this week (September 5, 2015)

Observations from my weekly wanderings, usually in Northern Virginia (NOVA).

As I explained last week, my intention for NOVA is simply a writing exercise. (Writing exercise: hold that thought.) I watch for some intriguing prompt; if that fails I have a source or two that suggest a prompt.

However, both failed this week and I’m left needing a topic. So, I’ve decided to write about writing or more precisely about composing. Because truthfully we seldom write: to trace or form (characters, letters, words, etc.) on the surface of some material, as with a pen, pencil, or other instrument or means; inscribe

I’ve confessed elsewhere on this blog that I’m fussy about words. So although I’ll concede there are secondary definitions of “write” which include compose, I reject those definitions as adulterated meanings that have become acceptable by common and prolonged misuse.

The same way in which “literal” can now mean – exactly NOT literal. For the record, I hate that; it signals the end of civilization as we know it.

So, back on track, “write” is not right; “write” is wrong. I should say typing; except it’s not typing either; it’s keystroking. I should say I need a keystroking prompt, but that seems rather stilted. And to stick with the increasingly absurd theme of this treatise – I didn’t “say” I need a keystroking prompt; I keystroked it. That’s just wrong – right?

But I don’t really want to keystroke. I want to compose. That’s the correct word.

Words – ya gotta love em.

Personally, I’m glad we don’t write much anymore. My writing is terrible. Do they even teach cursive in school anymore? I’m very happy I took typing back in high school; it was actually typing then. I can keystroke somewhere in the area of 55 words per minute, and that makes composing much easier than writing what I compose.

I’ve also confessed elsewhere on this blog that I hope to “write” the Great American Novel, or at least the fairly decent Hoboken novel. I shudder at the thought of actually “writing” it. I hope to compose by keystroking. Someday, that will be absurd. There are already programs that convert spoken word into text files. I prefer to keystroke. I don’t think I think fast enough to compose via spoken word.

I imagine, I am not the only book blogger who aspires to be a writer…err…novelist, author, poet. If you read my post earlier this week, I won I WON! then you know I’ve already achieved some acclaim as a writer…ummmm

I give up: writer, writing, write – all work even if it’s actually keystroking.

But that whole “literal” can now mean “virtual” thing – that’s pure evil.