Those Who Shaped Me in My Youth

Key Concepts

• Positive inspirational influences
• Importance of clear communication in writing
• Avoiding self-indulgence in writing
• Impact of early relationships on personal development

Positive Inspirational Influences

The speaker identifies three key figures who had a significant positive impact on his life and development: his older sister Leslie, his close friend Elliot Shane, and his high school English teacher, Mr. Smith.

• Leslie (Sister): Being four years older, Leslie played a crucial role in the speaker's social development and his relationship with women. Her similar sense of humor made him feel comfortable and accepted.
• Elliot Shane (Friend): Elliot, a writer and poet, shared a strong creative connection with the speaker. They collaborated on a juvenile radio show and embarked on a cross-country trip in a VW van at ages 17 and 18, which led to "weirdest adventures."
• Mr. Smith (High School English Teacher): Mr. Smith, the speaker's AP English teacher, imparted a valuable lesson about writing that has stayed with him throughout his life.

The Writing Lesson from Mr. Smith

The speaker recounts a specific incident where he received a C on an essay he thought was exceptional. He had filled it with "three syllable words" and considered it "fancy." Mr. Smith's feedback was that the essay failed because it prioritized showing off over clear communication.

• Mr. Smith's Critique: Mr. Smith emphasized that writing should focus on communicating an idea directly and considering the reader. The speaker's "clever little language and phrases" and "weird poetry" obscured the message.
• Key Quote: "Just have an idea that you've thought through and communicate it directly and think of your reader and everything will be fine."
• Impact: This lesson had a major impact on the speaker's writing. To this day, he hears Mr. Smith's voice whenever he feels his writing becoming self-indulgent.

Avoiding Self-Indulgence in Writing

The speaker emphasizes the importance of avoiding self-indulgence in writing. He learned from Mr. Smith that writing should not be about showcasing one's cleverness but about effectively communicating an idea to the reader.

• Selfish Writing: The speaker equates self-indulgent writing with being "selfish" and "writing poorly" because it fails to communicate the intended message.
• Mr. Smith's Voice: The speaker still hears Mr. Smith's "cranky" voice in his head, reminding him to avoid showing off and focus on clear communication.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes by reiterating the importance of the three individuals – Leslie, Elliot, and Mr. Smith – who significantly influenced him during his formative years. Mr. Smith's lesson on clear communication in writing stands out as a particularly impactful and enduring piece of advice. The main takeaway is that effective writing prioritizes the reader and the clear conveyance of ideas over self-expression and cleverness.