Writing the Essay

Over April 19-21, I had the privilege of attending the Festival of Faith and Writing in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As the title would suggest, it is a writing festival in which authors--some more well known than others--came to Calvin College to speak on topics surrounding all writers of many genres. I took many great notes, (or at least I think I took many great notes) on many great authors--Marilynne Robinson, Brian Doyle, Patrick Madden, Gary D. Schmidt, Johnathan Safran Foer, etc. etc.--that I will share more of later.

This post, the one I am currently typing up right now, comes from the insightful words of Brian Doyle and Patrick Madden--two great modern essayists.

What do they say?

Well, for starters, the essay form of writing is in danger! Yes, danger! It is a dying art; and it is a dying art because it is a misunderstood art. That is to say, when most people hear the word "essay," they run, they cower, they cringe, stoop, wince, recoil, shrink... there is just a simple misunderstanding plaguing the essay.

Let's be honest, what do you think of, immediately, after hearing the word--do I dare say it?--essay. I know I think of the arduous hours spent crafting--no, that sounds too kind--spent slaving over writing prompts assigned as homework, major papers, exams, and so on. And we all know writing the essay in those situations was never fun; and if you say otherwise, you're lying. I mean, really, who enjoyed essays? No one. I don't think it was possible to enjoy essays back then.

But that is why the essay is a dying art form. Too many people have had too many horrific experiences with the essay. It doesn't have to be this way; certainly two prominent essayists, Patrick Madden and Brian Doyle, believe this. The essay, in fact, can be one of the best forms of writing.

How?

The essay can be just you; it is an opportunity to open up a vein and just bleed onto the page. The essay is a chance to tiptoe towards holiness. That is to say, there is nothing ordinary; everything has an extraordinary component to it.

The essay is endlessly new. It is taking a car, preferably your dream car, out for a ride. Just go with the flow; let your hair blow in the wind, as they say--explore playfulness and voice, love and pain, bluntness, foolery, bamboozle-ry, and anything else that excites you, hits home with you, gets you all hot-n-bothered. The point being, we, human beings, are trapped in the prison of our dignity; and the essay, in its fullness, takes off that mask and relieves the burden of dignity.

Aching to write an essay? Here are some quick tips from the talk from Brian Doyle and Patrick Madden...

• Don't universalize, cosmolize, homilize, didactic-alize, etc. etc. 
• There is a story behind the essay you are writing, so make it a story: beginning, middle, and end.
• Jazz your verbs.
• Don't be afraid to have blunt, jerky, goofy transitions.
• You can write great essays about other people; it doesn't have to be about you.
• Do both generalizations and detail, show and tell.
• Have an unexpectedness to your essay--just let go; let your mind range free.
• Tell a story that suggests something. Don't give your opinion. (For example, write as you are saying, "Hey, here's a story, what do you think?")
• Approach with humble skepticism. It is as if you are saying, "Are we really sure we know what is going on? What if?"

Now go out there and explore the essay form.