Lisa Stulberg started off Culture Of Learning class this morning with some Hamilton. She wants us to learn how to write, and Lin-Manuel Miranda is her current source of writerly inspiration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nr2SQwAklE
I am not a huge Hamilton stan–the music itself is too showtune-y for my tastes–but I appreciate the lyrics, and the performances, and everything that the show represents. The writing advice is on point, too.
[BURR]
Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room?
Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room?
Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room?
Soon that attitude may be your doom![BURR]
Why do you always say what you believe?
Why do you always say what you believe?
Ev’ry proclamation guarantees free ammunition for your enemies![FULL COMPANY (EXCEPT HAMILTON)]
How do you write like tomorrow won’t arrive?
How do you write like you need it to survive?
How do you write ev’ry second you’re alive?
Ev’ry second you’re alive? Ev’ry second you’re alive?
[BURR]
Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room? Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room? Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room?
In my case, it’s a combination of things: straight white male professional-class privilege, a lifetime of academic high achievement driven by the high expectations of my Jewish family, also the fact that in the past ten years or so I spent a lot of time learning how to write. I find it much easier to interact with people via books and the internet than face to face. Best career advice I ever got: writing is a form of networking. If you’re an introverted nerd, don’t go to awkward cocktail events and hand out business cards; stay home and blog! It works! Writing online is great because you get constant feedback, overtly in the form of comments, and indirectly through stats and links. It scratches my video gaming urge, which is a bonus.
Lisa says: write in first person. I agree. You’re writing in first person no matter what, so pretending to write in third person just makes for awkward writing. It’s the sign of a good writer that you can understand what they’re trying to say. Which seems so obvious as to barely be worth stating, but in the academic context, it’s a bold statement. Lisa also believes that jargon makes the writer feel smart and the reader feel stupid. I also agree, though I have to admit that I love jargon, but I guess it’s because I like the feeling of superiority it gives me and need to let that go.