Reading

I usually don't post rants or personal opinions because they are, well...personal. What happened to  make me break my own rule? Well, the other day I was poking around the net and stumbled upon a comment.


I don't know if the person was a writer or an avid reader or perhaps both. This indiviual's main complain was to the effect he/she was reading a book and had to put it down a couple of times to look up a word. He/she went on to say why doesn't the writer used the most common word??


Sorry for the inconvenience dear reader. Sometimes the use of the less common word is necessary and dare I say essential to the plot. Writers should encourage discovery and wonder. Readers should have the thirst for knowledge. To read something just because it's what everyone's reading, or what the media is telling you is "in" is just absurd.


A writer shouldn't compromise the integrity of his/her writting just because it inconvenience someone. What happened to reading and learning something new? What happened to prose for the sake of it? Granted, I love reading fast paced action books. There are times, however I want to get lost in rich narrative, the poetic language that elevates my soul.


When I was in the fifth grade a teacher gave me a book to read. It was hard for me because the book was meant for high school level (The Time Machine). Another challenge, the book was in English. I should clarify I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. My first language is Spanish, although English is taught in schools not everyone cares to learn beyond the basics.


So, book in hand I went home and started reading. It took me around two weeks to finsih because of all things I had to put the book down several times per page to look up a word. By the end of the school year I was reading English at a high school level. I had also discovered Poe, Shelly, Asimov, J.R. Tolkien, etc...that was years ago in the mid 70's. I didn't had google search or an electronic pad which allows you to look up a word instantly.


To complain about "having to put the book down" is so preprosterous I had no choice but to speak up. Do me a favor whoever you are complainer, keep it to yourself. Don't take the joy of reading and discovering form those of us who relish it.


As a writer, I hope my readers keep an open mind and embrace the challenge of a new word. Oral expression is been stiffled and compressed by the media. The ROFLMA, ROFLMB, IDK, OMG, WTH, WTF, IMHO have a place in modern times, but keep in mind the art of conversation is a dying art. Don't let the art of reading and writing go the same way.


TTFN, LOL.