Good day, readers. Today is October 18th, the 292nd day of the year 2024, with 74 days remaining.
I do not know that which I truly possess, nor its value and importance until it is gone. I don’t know whom to love until after they are lost forever. And I don’t know how I should feel until long after the moment has passed.
Thomas Slatin
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1851, Herman Melville’s novel “Moby-Dick” was first published in London. This epic tale of Captain Ahab’s obsessive quest to hunt the great white whale has become a classic of American literature, renowned for its complex themes and rich symbolism.
Notable Birthdays:
Ntozake Shange, born on October 18, 1948, was an American playwright and poet best known for her play “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf.” Her work is celebrated for its powerful exploration of race, gender, and identity.
Today’s Readings:
From “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville: “Call me Ishmael. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On October 18th, 1961, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City opened an exhibit on “The Art of Assemblage,” which featured works by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Marcel Duchamp. This exhibition highlighted the importance of combining found objects to create new forms of art, a concept that has influenced many writers and poets in their creative processes.
Advice for Writers:
Thomas Slatin’s quote speaks to the themes of loss and delayed understanding. In your writing, explore the poignant realization of value and love only after they are gone, capturing the depth of human emotions and the passage of time in your narratives.
Wishing you a day of reflective writing and inspired creativity, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your literary endeavors be as profound and moving as the moments of clarity that come after the storm.