The Exhibit

I have my own opinions – strong opinions – I just don’t always agree with them. George W. Bush

A friend of mine wrote that on a piece of paper and handed it to me on his way out of my room. I didn’t want to, but I did laugh. I don’t think George Bush is the only one who feels that way; but the world doesn’t count on this editor to make historic decisions, like invade Iraq and Afghanistan, so no one is going to throw a shoe at me. I hope.

That said, I would like to share a few of my opinions, the ones I agree with.

A writer understands that whatever their purpose for writing – to entertain, to inform, to warn, whatever – their work is both an art and a skill. If a paint artist was to exhibit art that has obvious flaws not intended, he can expect that those who look at his work will likely move away from it and move on to something they respect. Look at your work, if there is any flaw in language use, spelling or grammar, let it be intended and with a purpose. Do not exhibit your art unless you first make sure of the above.

This is not in any way to spare the editor some work, although frankly sometimes editing badly done work can be a horror. Your effort in this regard, shows your respect for the work you do, and allows you to develop higher heights.

I believe I have said this before; you cannot become the best if you have no idea what the best that exists already is. So read, read and read. The more you read, the more your brain picks up new words, notes the proper way to use language, and discovers new skills that you can use to become the best writer ever.

When I was 12 years old, I wanted to be a writer, a construction engineer and an aviation engineer. I remember someone cruel who said that people from my family would never be more than hillbilly farmers. Yep, he used the word hillbilly, and I had no idea what the heck it meant, so I yelled back at him, ‘Oh yeah, then I’ll be the best hillbilly farmer ever!’

I am not a farmer, but I know that my friend would contest about me being hillbilly, what with all the country music and all. I didn’t make the engineering school because I changed my mind about the career thing. But I do intend to give the writing thing the best slingshot I can give it. I hope you do, too.

So here is the art exhibit of the week.

From Denis Kabi, here is A Kiss, a Fart, and a Divorce.

Of emotions and intimacy here is Tell… Or Not To Tell by Wendy Kasera.

Of more emotions and unrequited love here is Hanging by a Moment by Teresa Maina

It seemed that you all like diaries quite a bit, so here is another Jezebel by Cliff Oluoch Chianga

Walter Keyombe has a story about a mission that offers hope in Finding Hope.

But Raymond Bett leaves us with a bitter aftertaste from the Pyramid schemes in Where is my Money?

I do look forward to your stories for next week! Please remember, all stories published on the Storymoja Blog will be eligible for the Crown of Story of the Week. The stories will be posted every Monday. Readers are encouraged to both critique and vote for the story they believe should wear the crown. At the end of the week, the votes will be tallied and the story with the most votes will posted on the Storymoja Website as the Story of the Week on the Friday of the same week. To have your story in this weekly process please send it to blogs@storymojaafrica.co.ke