To the editor: It was with nice unhappiness that I learn of the demise of former Instances reporter Diana Marcum, a rare author.
Each college 12 months, I pull out her 2017 piece, “Together with the migrating steelhead, Oregon river pool holds life classes,” to exemplify the craftsmanship of actual writing. As a part of my plan to dissuade center schoolers from falling into the lure of formulaic prose, I’ve them break down this text, intently inspecting Marcum’s many “writer strikes.”
She opens merely, elegantly, deceptively: “Everybody on the river calls it ‘Lee’s pool,’ and that alone is perhaps proof one individual could make a distinction.” A single-sentence paragraph. Who wants extra?
She closes with equal grace: “‘It seems to be,’ begins [Lee] Spencer — and pauses to take an extended have a look at the whole lot round him — ‘merely sufficient to be right here.’” Full-circle writing; a one-sentence closure that echoes the opening, with nary an “in conclusion” in sight.
The piece is equally wealthy in sensory language, but incorporates solely a single simile — a chance to level out that similes, like Tabasco sauce, are greatest used sparingly.
Once I ask my college students to distill the sensation of this piece right into a single phrase, they invariably say “calm.”
Marcum’s writing was past stunning. It was bewitching. She shall be sorely missed.
Wendy Schramm, Vista
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To the editor: Thanks for reporter James Rainey’s stunning tribute to Diana Marcum. Her items had been so fantastic; I bear in mind lots of them and even lower out and saved some.
She was really particular and helped make The Instances price studying.
Monica Wyatt, Santa Monica
