Romantic Scribbles

The Name:

We you see the name romanticscribbles there is no doubt a host of significations that come to mind.  Let me tell how I intended it.  First let’s consider the word romantic.  When I use the word romantic I am not referring to sappy movies like Sleepless in Seattle or 27 Dresses, but instead to a literary movement of the early 19th century.  Specifically in this case I refer to British Romanticism and to writers like William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and a host of others.  Even this usage is debatable as there is no real consensus on what is meant by British Romanticism.  For the sake of this blog, know that I admire their emphasis on Imagination, their interaction with Nature, their ambivalence to the Enlightenment, their belief that the world could be otherwise, and finally, their belief that writing matters.

As far as scribbles they highlight a uncertainty regarding the quality of what you might find, but they are humbly submitted in case you find them interesting or useful.

The Author:

My name is Shawn Grant.  I am a grad student working on my PhD in Humanities, focusing specifically on British Romantic Literature.  I love reading, movies, video games, learning, a small group of good friends, being creative and walking (no literally I like to walk, ironically not so much on the beach.)  I was raised in a Christian environment and maintain a Christian worldview. Often, however, I question the decisions and motivations of my colleagues that claim the name Christian.  I value teaching and communicating in a simple straight-forward approach that makes ideas accessible to a majority of imagined readers.  Conversely, I despise writing and speech that seems to be written pretentiously–basically attempts to demonstrate your intelligence by making your writing indecipherable– which I find so much academic writing to be.  I love my fellow academics I just do not understand why they refuse to write a sentence that maintains any degree of clarity.  I’m sure, however, they have good reasons to prefer their writing style, and would probably disparage mine.

Purpose:

I created this site as a place to practice disciplined writing, attempting to write at least once a week.  I also hope to improve as a writer through more conscious practice.  Finally, I hope that some of the ideas presented here may be of use to others.

It is still finding its way.  For now, know that it is my intent to have an eclectic collection of material.