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John Baker's Blog

Reflections of a working writer and reader

In the last twenty years the colleges have been emphasizing creative writing to such an extent that you almost feel that any idiot with a nickel's worth of talent can emerge from a writing class able to write a competent story. In fact, so many people can now write competent stories that the short story as a medium is in danger of dying of competence. We want competence, but competence by itself is deadly. What is needed is the vision to go with it, and you do not get this from a writing class. Flannery O'Connor

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Humour and such

In Fowler’s Modern English Usage, we are given the following, which is quite wonderful and which I have often rediscovered during my time. Has this ever been improved upon?

. Motive or Aim Province Method or Means Audience
Humour Discovery Human Nature Observation The Sympathetic
Wit Throwing Light Words & Ideas Surprise The Intelligent
Satire Amendment Morals & Manners Accentuation The Self-satisfied
Sarcasm Inflicting Pain Faults & Foibles Inversion Victim & Bystander
Invective Discredit Misconduct Direct Statement The Public
Irony Exclusiveness Statement of Facts Mystification An Inner Circle
Cynicism Self-justification Morals Exposure of Nakedness The Respectable
The Sardonic Self-relief Adversity Pessimism Self

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