One Wonders [TMT]

"One wonders" is a suitable way to begin any musing I reckon. Certainly it is an apt title. And as 10 Minute Tuesday is designed for free writing, wondering and wandering are a perfect fit.

I wonder often because life is full of wonder! Of course I used the word in two senses there, or at least as a verb and as a noun. But in free writing you are not supposed to stop and think too much, which is a welcome requirement to this genetic over-thinker. It is often best to just say it, as I recently read of some noted author. Of course the critic who respectfully quoted him also said he suffered for that habit.

This brings to mind C. S. Lewis and G. K. Chesterton. Chesterton influenced Lewis toward his conversion. Lewis admired GKC but also said his writing style needed help here and there. I think I read him saying something to the effect Lewis felt if Chesterton had submitted to some refining he would have a much wider readership. I can imagine that to be the case.

I'm told Chesterton would prepare for a given project until he thought he was ready, then lay his material aside and begin dictating to his secretary. I would assume many of the hundreds of essays he wrote were dictated with little forethought and perhaps less editing. For awhile he was writing weekly for both major London papers and while he was always good enough for the press, no one writes a masterpiece every time.

Among his triumphs was his bio of Aquinas. A prominent Thomist scholar, Etienne Gilson, said of Chesterton's work it had no parallel and he himself could never have written so well of Aquinas. Of course he was known for various historical errors in his biographical work. But he was no historian nor scholar. Rather, he wrote for understanding and insight -- to help the average person gain a grasp of the value of a life and work. The details mattered, but not enough for his purpose.