書くとは今を生きること

Japan Times onlineのOpinionにあった記事です。これは先日ブログでPくんが採り上げてくれたJohn F. Kennedy大統領のスピーチライターTheodore Sorensen氏について書かれたもの。
cf. http://d.hatena.ne.jp/A30/20101101/1288612458

The life and times of an American 'mentor'
LOS ANGELES — As far as I know, Nebraska-born Theodore "Ted" Sorensen, who died last week at 82, disagreed with me only twice. He was right both times.
The disagreements were memorable, for in my mind they illuminated why the influence of John F. Kennedy's legendary right-hand man will remain enormous for decades. And why I am no Ted Sorensen.
The first occasion was at Princeton University when the then-visiting professor tendered this humble student a measure of advice on the art of writing.
"You're a good talker," complained JFK's honored speechwriter about my term paper, noting my conversational contributions to his seminar on U.S. foreign policy and presidential leadership. "But writing is not just speaking." It requires, he explained patiently, precision, discipline and careful organization. "You must take your writing more seriously."
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20101107tp.html
雑誌の連載記事を書かれる田邉先生の様子を目にしたり，自身がブログ記事や修士論文を書いたりするなかで，「書く」という行為の大切さやその奥深さを感じています（理解するには自分があまりにも力不足です）。この記事を読んだとき，田邉先生がゼミ生に宛てたメールの中にあった「書くとは今を生きること」という言葉が思い浮かびました。（院生 小山本）