"A few lines worth keeping"

More closely examining "Writing From the Center," Scott Russell Sanders's focus on his neighbors from his "country childhood" captures my attention (first complete paragraph on p.152). While reading the excerpt over numerous times, both silently and aloud, one line in particular resonates: "I finally wrote a few lines worth keeping." Focusing on Sanders's use of long sentences and imagery allows the author to explain his reasoning behind knowing that he finally produces valuable and notable literature.

Aside from the belief that a writer must live in complete isolation, Sanders shifts focus when he is suddenly "ambushed by memory," and he drifts into memories of neighbors from his childhood. Soon the kids bring about novel qualities which inspire the author to jot down a few meaningful lines. Also, in his detailed analysis of the children, Sanders utilizes imagery, as he uses short, yet visual images that allow the reader to formulate an immediate illustration in their mind. For example, the reader can readily visualize "the hungry kids begging food at school" "with patches on their clothes," and "rain leaking through the roofs of their shacks." Initially, the image of an unfortunate deprived and impoverished younger child forms in my mind. Description of the child in this situation alludes to the raw image Sanders's Ohio River Valley neighbors create. The author finally credits his own meaningful lines once he realizes that incorporation of real, untouched elements of humanity can also aide him in his writing career.

Comparatively, the author's incorporation of long sentences allow him more freedom to include all the unique qualities that his proclaimed Ohio River Valley neighbors retain. Surprisingly, this featured excerpt, a complete paragraph, consists of only two long sentences. Separating his thoughts with commas, Sanders effectively combines numerous descriptions, to accurately portray the lasting image of a struggling individual who happens to bring a sense of reality to the author's literature. The extended sentences create more opportunities for Sanders to extend the interpreted images of the unsuitable child, the "discouraged men," and the "bruised women." Although the sentences are longer than an average sentence, the author tastefully includes several elements of life and observations during his childhood. The more examples and description provided, the better the reader's grasp of the author's intent and content of the literature; therefore, the reader can attach reason to why the author believes that he finally produces "lines worth keeping."