the romance of writing

One of the most powerful and inspiring quotes I've heard about writing is: Writers are committed to words.

My own thoughts on the process: Writing, a transfer of energy from mind to paper.

Have computers removed the romance of writing? I'm thinking of the film Little Women. When Jo finishes her quill-written book, she wraps some twine round the sheaf of papers and inserts a red rose bud. The camera lingers on the manuscript, a simple, elegant shot. This scene is all the more poignant as the story is about the life of Jo and her three sisters, raised in 19th century Massachusetts. Needing to spread her wings, Jo has moved to New York where she ekes out a living writing adventure stories under the name of Joseph March. A charming professor points out she should write from the heart rather than for the market. She follows his advice and writes about her family. Her book is immediately published. Would that it were this easy today...

Reflectively yours,

Jane