Chicago fast fact:
In September, 1910, pioneer airman Walter Brookins flew over the Loop and the lake several times in front of a crowd of twenty thousand. (See photo.)
Today, Miles and I will partake in this historical experience. We fly to Chicago in the afternoon.
We know nothing about Chicago, so suggestions for things to do are greatly appreciated.
Along with Richard Yates, I am reading the often pretentious, but also informative "The Art of Fiction" by the late John Gardner. I'd like to share my favorite quote from the book (unfortunately when he speaks about authors, he uses male prnouns, so just suck it up, as I have had to do.)
"He [the writer] writes by feel, intuitively, imagining the scene vividly and copying down its most significant details, keeping the fictional dream alive, sometimes writing in a thoughtless white heat of 'inspiration,' drawing on his unconscious, trusing his instincts, hoping that when he looks back at it later, in cool objectivity, the scene will work."
I don't believe in "objectivity", but I do believe in keeping the "fictional dream alive". What a beautiful description of the writing trance.
Music of the day: anything by Chicago (I admit that I own nothing by Chicago, but what else would be relevant?)
