Good day, readers. Today is June 17th, the 169th day of the year 2024, with 197 days remaining.
Writing is the painting of the voice.
Voltaire
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1871, James Weldon Johnson, an American author, educator, lawyer, diplomat, and civil rights activist, was born. Best known for his poetry and as the lyricist of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” Johnson’s works often explore the complexities of African American identity and the fight for equality.
Notable Birthdays:
John Hersey, born on June 17, 1914, was an American writer and journalist renowned for his novel Hiroshima, which detailed the lives of six survivors of the atomic bomb. Hersey’s pioneering work in narrative nonfiction significantly shaped the genre, blending storytelling with journalistic integrity.
Today’s Readings:
From Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston: “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On June 17th, 2004, the National Book Foundation started the tradition of selecting a “Book of the Year,” aimed at recognizing outstanding literary contributions that resonate culturally and socially, thereby encouraging a greater national conversation about reading.
Poem of the Day:
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
Wendell Berry’s poem offers a serene reflection on finding solace in nature amidst the tumult of human concerns. Its calming tone and evocative imagery are a soothing contrast to the often complex human emotions explored in the literary readings and historical notes of the day. This poem encourages readers to find peace and perspective in the natural world, making it a wonderful addition to the day’s literary offerings.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by Voltaire’s analogy of writing as painting the voice, think about how your writing can vividly “paint” characters’ voices on the page. Consider the unique colors, shades, and textures each voice might bring to your narrative, and how these elements can enhance the reader’s experience and connection to your story.
Wishing you a day of vibrant creativity and meaningful reflection, dear readers. Until tomorrow, let your words paint compelling pictures of the human experience.