I love commas. And I love that you’ve noticed them and celebrated them here. (I’m an editor so I’m obligated to think about commas, but I do, personally, have strong opinions about the Oxford comma.) Have you noticed how many commas are in old writing? Classic books? It’s like our current culture doesn’t take time to pause, and the lack of pauses show up in our writing. So your commas feel perfect for stopping to notice the world. ❤️
"I'm obligated to think about commas" made me lol – it sounds like you're caretaking them & also dutiful toward them! So...are you holding out on me or can I hear these strong opinions about the Oxford comma?!
Ha! I guess it's just one strong opinion: I am highly in favor of the Oxford comma. It is useful and elegant. It eliminates confusion in a series. However, my company's house style is to NOT use Oxford commas. So every day is a push-pull between what is required vs what should be.
Commas are marks, no? I’ve been partial to them ever since I encountered To the Lighthouse. Woolf was the closest I’d ever come to the strange music of consciousness. There’s a funny paradox here in the tension between the supposed run-on and the pause, between motion and attention. It’s bodily and it feels true. I resist the contemporary (late capitalist, in my view) notion that they’re excessive, so I hope the feedback you’re receiving is not too strict and is nuanced and appreciative.
Today, we are told explicitly or implicitly that they’re unworthy or unfit for a modern reader’s attention — but commas, well-placed, may be the thing that actually summons attention back to the reader. Imbibes them with it.
Thems my thoughts. And thank you for sharing this — was lovely to read. : )
Celina, I really can't say how happy this makes me – how delighted. It moves me that this invitation to slowness & noticing means something to you & that you put it in action in your days in your own practice & that you recently felt it flare via my missive. Thank you so much for sharing this. Thank you for slowing down with me.
I love commas. And I love that you’ve noticed them and celebrated them here. (I’m an editor so I’m obligated to think about commas, but I do, personally, have strong opinions about the Oxford comma.) Have you noticed how many commas are in old writing? Classic books? It’s like our current culture doesn’t take time to pause, and the lack of pauses show up in our writing. So your commas feel perfect for stopping to notice the world. ❤️
"I'm obligated to think about commas" made me lol – it sounds like you're caretaking them & also dutiful toward them! So...are you holding out on me or can I hear these strong opinions about the Oxford comma?!
Ha! I guess it's just one strong opinion: I am highly in favor of the Oxford comma. It is useful and elegant. It eliminates confusion in a series. However, my company's house style is to NOT use Oxford commas. So every day is a push-pull between what is required vs what should be.
"Every day is a push-pull between what is required vs what should be" resonates, ahem, on many levels.
I can't help but tweak it for my day ahead: ""Every day is a push-pull between what is required vs what will be"
The creative axis of my heart, mind, and spirit tilts differently after your words soak into them. Thank you!
It feels so good to have you in my corner, Dr. Clark! I'm so strengthened at your axis' tilting. I strive toward your open-heartedness!
Well, that is kind, artistic, and made my heart smile. It is a privilege to be in your corner!
Commas are marks, no? I’ve been partial to them ever since I encountered To the Lighthouse. Woolf was the closest I’d ever come to the strange music of consciousness. There’s a funny paradox here in the tension between the supposed run-on and the pause, between motion and attention. It’s bodily and it feels true. I resist the contemporary (late capitalist, in my view) notion that they’re excessive, so I hope the feedback you’re receiving is not too strict and is nuanced and appreciative.
Today, we are told explicitly or implicitly that they’re unworthy or unfit for a modern reader’s attention — but commas, well-placed, may be the thing that actually summons attention back to the reader. Imbibes them with it.
Thems my thoughts. And thank you for sharing this — was lovely to read. : )
Celina, I really can't say how happy this makes me – how delighted. It moves me that this invitation to slowness & noticing means something to you & that you put it in action in your days in your own practice & that you recently felt it flare via my missive. Thank you so much for sharing this. Thank you for slowing down with me.