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Dick And Jane Sentences

Jan 28, 2016
by Caroline Miller
Dick and Jane sentences, Japanese and Chinese brush strokes, robot crtiques wrting, simplicity versus simple-mindedness
10 Comments

The image accompanying today’s blog is the work of one of my Facebook friends.  I asked if I could share his image with my readers as I admired the fluidity of the brush strokes and their almost mystical innocence. Having studied both Japanese and Chinese painting styles, I appreciate the genius of reducing an image to its primary lines.  No gaudy birds.  No dazzling the eye with color.  Strokes, elegant strokes, and a rhythmic line that seems essential to the core.

To a person unfamiliar with such skills, to someone who has never cursed the master for accomplishing with ease an expression immensely difficult, the image might appear naive. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, but it requires an informed eye.

Unfortunately, what tumbles from my mouths when  I attempt to describe the mystical quality of the painting seems pretentious. I apologize, but I have a point to make. 

Today, my web platform added a robot app.  Its purpose is to make me a better writer.  I didn’t ask for the robot; it appeared uninvited. It said, my writing was “considered fairly difficult to read. Try to make shorter sentences to improve readability.”  Had the robot followed its advice, it should have written: “Create shorter sentences for readability.” 

I take umbrage when a machine with no comprehension of the relationship of content to expression, advises me to dumb down my words.  The painting that accompanies this blog is an example of the difference between spare and simple.  My readers don’t require Dick and Jane sentences.  Only the soulless robot does.

Bamboo leaves

Bamboo leaves courtesy of Pete Paridiso

 

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10 Comments
  1. Emily McKinnon January 28, 2016 at 7:59 am Reply
    With my love of commas, I would most certainly be distressed, equally, if not more so, than you.
    • Caroline Miller January 28, 2016 at 8:20 am Reply
      Maybe there's an addiction program for those of us who love our punctuation. I know my habit is hard to break.
  2. Emily McKinnon January 28, 2016 at 8:22 am Reply
    I might have put more commas than entirely necessary due to being under siege by a robot app to wrap it up. :)
    • Caroline Miller January 28, 2016 at 10:14 am Reply
      Hang tough. The fate of the human race may be at stake.
  3. Bill Whitlatch January 28, 2016 at 9:47 am Reply
    Can you imagine a robot doing Jack Kerouac ?
    • Caroline Miller January 28, 2016 at 10:15 am Reply
      Ha, ha, ha. Oh dear, Bill. I'm a writer but I doubt I have that much imagination.
  4. ALC January 29, 2016 at 11:33 am Reply
    Lovely painting! I am always drawn to Japanese and Chinese art. Please do not succomb to any suggestions that you "dumb down" your writing style. You are descriptive without trying to impress with unnecessary adjectives. There are plenty of books for those who prefer formula plots and simplistic writing.
    • Caroline Miller January 29, 2016 at 11:35 am Reply
      Because you asked, I will obey, though I continue to score badly. Can't rid myself of my robotic critic.
  5. Peter Paradiso January 29, 2016 at 5:16 pm Reply
    Thank you, Caroline, for posting and commenting on this small painting of mine ... As a Chinese brush painter and a speaker, reader and writer of Chinese, I can tell you it is a lot easier to paint in the Chinese style than it is to express yourself in the language ... A rhythm can be established with just one line, a wave, a cloud, a mountain, a bird all can be done by any child who is able to hold a brush ... There is a deep historical connection in the Chinese tradition between writing and painting, one that is lacking in all of the Western languages I am familiar with ... Having read your novels, I admire your ability to paint in words ...
    • Caroline Miller January 30, 2016 at 8:24 am Reply
      Pete, it was a pleasure to share your artwork with others and it made the point of my blog beautifully. You've obviously been studying the disciple for many years. I thank you for allowing me to post your image with my words and for the compliment.

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Contact Caroline at

carolinemiller11@yahoo.com

Portland, Oregon author Caroline Miller had distinguished careers as an educator, union president, elected official and artist/advocate.

Her play, Woman on the Scarlet Beast, was performed at the Post5 Theatre, Portland, OR, January/February 2015

Caroline published a serialized novelette, Marie Eau-Claire, on the website, The Colored Lens.  She also published the story Gustav Pavel,  a parable about ordinary lives, choice and alternate potential, on the website Fixional.co.

Caroline has published four novels

  • Ballet Noir
  • Trompe l’Oeil
  • Gothic Spring
  • Heart Land

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