charlson's quotes charlson ong, writing in a time of terror:

 "We live in dangerous times. The stakes are too high for us to leave the management of emotions and perceptions around the world to politicians, clerics, terror-mongers, or to CNN. We must do our part. As writers we must stand by the integrity of the word. We write as well for those who cannot speak. For where words may not be heard, says the anonymous poet of Palestine, bombs rejoice." [ addressing the illigan national writers workshop ]

A writer is an editor of memory. In writing we make the loves we should have made, wage wars we should have waged. It doesn't always make up for the real thing, but it does have its rewards. ... I have always gone by what I call the four M's of writing -- Myth and Memory, Magic and Metaphor. If you are true to your memories, the myths will reveal themselves. If you serve well your metaphors, the magic will descend. [ writers as editors of memory ]
  ¶ 7/26/2004 04:49:00 PM