Centralia, Pennsylvania, is a good example of negative space. The town, as I describe in my book, Fire Underground, was removed in the 1980s and 1990s as part of a government-ordered relocation to escape an underground fire in the labyrinth of abandoned coal mines beneath the town. When I go there today, I remember that some 400 or so homes, stores, schools and churches were once here where thickets of trees grow now. Only the cemeteries remain.
Great piece. If you don't know it, look up the story about why Dylan, who wrote the song, disliked the Peter, Paul and Mary cover. It makes another point about storytelling, which is the artist's attention to craft.
Really love this take on negative space. Been noticing this more in design work lately, how the emptiness around something can make it hit harder than just filling everything in. The Wall Street Journal example with Gershkovich is powerful, just that blank space saying everything you need to know. Makes me think about how we obsess over adding more stuf when sometimes taking things away tells a beter story.
I really like your idea of ‘Too Much of Nothing.’ It reminds me of the Chinese painting technique of 留白 (leaving white space), as well as what I learned in architecture school about using voids to create light and shadow, guide movement and procession, and emphasize the contrast between solid and empty.
Thank you so much for sharing your masterful writing pointers! You really should publish a book on your writing techniques. It would sit perfectly next to On Writing Well on my bookshelf!
Centralia, Pennsylvania, is a good example of negative space. The town, as I describe in my book, Fire Underground, was removed in the 1980s and 1990s as part of a government-ordered relocation to escape an underground fire in the labyrinth of abandoned coal mines beneath the town. When I go there today, I remember that some 400 or so homes, stores, schools and churches were once here where thickets of trees grow now. Only the cemeteries remain.
That is a great example! I should’ve thought of that. Though obviously you’re more likely to. Total negative space.
Great piece. If you don't know it, look up the story about why Dylan, who wrote the song, disliked the Peter, Paul and Mary cover. It makes another point about storytelling, which is the artist's attention to craft.
Will do! Glad you're here.
Really love this take on negative space. Been noticing this more in design work lately, how the emptiness around something can make it hit harder than just filling everything in. The Wall Street Journal example with Gershkovich is powerful, just that blank space saying everything you need to know. Makes me think about how we obsess over adding more stuf when sometimes taking things away tells a beter story.
Maybe the answer is simply to reframe and realize that subtracting is adding sometimes.
I really like your idea of ‘Too Much of Nothing.’ It reminds me of the Chinese painting technique of 留白 (leaving white space), as well as what I learned in architecture school about using voids to create light and shadow, guide movement and procession, and emphasize the contrast between solid and empty.
Thank you so much for sharing your masterful writing pointers! You really should publish a book on your writing techniques. It would sit perfectly next to On Writing Well on my bookshelf!