Dec. 2, 2022
The Daily Life of Susan Sontag
The American writer Susan Sontag is well-known not only for her literary heritage but also for her curiosity toward new people, interesting books and music. One of her close friends recalled that she could read up to five novels and listen up to ten operas a week, switching from reading to listening and backward so as to not become bored. Her interest in life, art, and people compelled her early on to choose her life path. From the moment she got access to a library and became familiar with different writers and their books, she was keen to become a writer. “I realised that people give up on their dreams because they simply quit at some point. So, in this case I simply will not quit,” said Sontag.
It may seem that with such confidence her success as a writer should have been just a matter of time. But in fact, there were a lot of impediments on her path, which substantially slowed her down. To begin with, Sontag’s writing process was far from impressive, given the speed with which she consumed books and poetry. She wrote books at a rather slow pace, editing and polishing every piece of writing until it was perfect. For instance, it took her nine years to write nine essays for her book On Photography. At first she preferred writing by hand and wrote lying in her bed, surrounding herself with her favourite books. But at a certain point she began suffering from severe pain due to writing by hand.
To stay productive, she moved to a desktop, bought a typewriter and a stiff chair. Still, this adjustment didn’t help, and she continued to be plagued with an ache in her neck and fingers. She eventually got used to it and even said: “Writing is a gambe. You should exchange some part of yourself in order to get results.” She also asserted that pain improved her creativity and helped her to concentrate on writing.
After Sontag went to university at 15, her writing was quickly noticed by newspaper owners and editors. It seems that given her eagerness for writing and interest from the editors, she could have achieved her dreams rather quickly. However, at 16 she met her future husband, who was 11 years older than her, and at the time they met, already had a successful career as a teacher at a university. He proposed to her only ten days after their first date and, soon thereafter, Sontag became pregnant. At first she was thrilled with the prospects of their new life, but as it turned out, not for long. Even though at first she enjoyed her life as a newlywed and the high-brow university friends she made through her husband, soon thereafter she confessed to herself that her relationship lacked passion, and filed for divorce.
After a while she moved to the city with her small child and found a job as an editor at a local newspaper, notably refusing time and time again any financial support from her ex-husband. During that period, she never had enough money and often found herself doing many side jobs in order to afford raising her child. Surprisingly, she still managed to carve out some time for her writing. When Sontag was asked later how she did it, she responded that she gave up some unimportant tasks, such as cooking for her son. “I never felt the need to do it. In fact, I’ve never cooked, only heated”, she said.
Another impediment to Sontag's writing was her unwillingness to be alone; she had always been outgoing and preferred spending time at parties and concerts. Sontag was aware that her inclination toward a social life had nothing in common with writer’s work, and was frightened that this peculiarity could harm her writing efficiency. As a result, she harshly condemned herself for this, but, nevertheless, couldn’t resist social gatherings. Her little son, in his stead, often slept either alone at home or in the houses of his mother's friends.
In the second part of her life Sontag become addicted to Dexamyl, an antidepressant similar to amphetamine but without its side effects. In her words, the barbiturate tremendously increased her efficiency in work and let her write for 20 hours without stop. She said that Dexamyl eliminated the need to eat, sleep, and urinate, so she could purely concentrate on her work. Sontag continued to use the drug for 20 years, although in a smaller doses later on. When a journalist once asked her in an interview, if she ever smoked weed, Sontag responded: “To work efficiently I need good speed. Grass, as you probably know, has a completely opposite effect, so I don’t like it.”
The Daily Life of Susan Sontag
The American writer, Susan Sontag, is well-known not only for her literary heritage but also for her curiosity oftowards new people, interesting books and music.
One of her close friends recalled that she could read up to five novels and listen up to ten operas a week, switching from reading to listening and backward so that so as to not to become bored.
Her interest in life, art, and people compelled her to early on to choose her life path.
From the moment she got access to a librariesy and becoame familiar with different writers and their books, she becamewas keen to become a writer.
I deleted became since it sounds redundant with the following become, and it's not necessary anyway
“I realised that people give awayup on their dreams simply because they simply quit at some point.
So, in this case I simply will not quit,” said Sontag.
It may seem that with such confidence her success as a writer should have been just a matter of time.
But in fact, there were a lot of impediments on her path, which substantially slowed her down.
To begin with, Sontag’s writing process was far from impressive, given the speed with which she consumed books and poetry.
She wrote books at a rather at a slow pace, editing and polishing every piece of writing until it would becomeas perfect.
For instance, it took her nine years to write nine essays for her book On Photography.
At first she preferred handwriting by hand and wrote lying in her bed, surrounding herself with her favourite books.
But at a certain point she becomegan suffering from heavy pain caused by handwritingsevere pain due to writing by hand.
To stay productive, she moved to a desktop, bought a typewriter and a stiff chair.
Still, this adjustment didn’t helped her, and she continued to be plague fromd with an ache in her neck and fingers.
She eventually geot used to it and even tolsaid: “Writing is a gamblinge.
You should exchange some part of yourself in order to get a results.” She also asserted that pain improved her creativity and helped her to concentrate on writing.
After Sontag went to university at 15, sher writing was quickly spotted with her writingnoticed by newspapers’ owners and editors.
It seems that given her eager passionness for writing and interest from the editors, she could have achieved her dreams rather fastquickly.
However, at 16 she met her future husband, who was 11 years older than her, and byat the momenttime they met, already mhade a successful career as a teacher at the/a university.
"the" university if it's the same as the one Sontag is attending, "a" university if a different one
He proposed to her already afteronly ten days sinceafter their first tryst and, soon thereafter, Sontag gotbecame pregnant.
"got pregnant" works too but is a bit too informal here
At first she was thrilled with the prospects of their new life, but as it cameturned out, not for long.
Even though at first she enjoyed their newlywed marriage andr life as a newlywed and the high-brow university friends she made through her husband, soon thereafter she confessed to herself that her relationship with husband lacksed passion, and filed for divorce.
After a while she moved to the city with her little sonsmall child and found a job as an editor inat a local newspaper, noticeably keep refusing time afternd time again any financial support from her ex-husband.
At those times she hadn’tDuring that period, she never had enough money and often found herself doing many side jobs in order to earn money for her son upbringingafford raising her child.
Surprisingly, she managed to carve out some time for her writing during thoseis troubled period of her life.
When Sontag was asked later how she did it, she responded that she gave up some unimportant tasks, such as home-made foodcooking for her son.
“I’ve never felt that I should have done it.
I'm not entirely sure what this means, that she never felt the need to make home-cooked meals? If so, "I never felt the need to do it" would be clearer. That she regrets having not made home-cooked meals? Then "I've always felt that I should have done more" is how I would put it, although I think this might contradict slightly the previous sentence where you refer to it as an "unimportant task"
In fact, I’ve never cooked, only heated”, she said.
Another impediment that prevented Sontag from writino writing for Sontag was her unwillingness to staybe alone; she had always been outgoing and preferred spending time at parties and concerts.
Sontag was aware that her inclination toward a social life hasd nothing in common with writer’s work, and was frightened that this peculiarity could harm her writing efficiency.
As a result, she harshly condemned herself for thatis, but, nevertheless, couldn’t resist social gatherings.
Her little son, in his stead, often slept either alone at home or in the houses of her(Sontag's?) mother's friends.
The second "her" is a bit confusing as it's not obvious if it's referring to Sontag, maybe the best solution would be "in the houses of friends of Sontag's mother"
In the second part of her life Sontag become addictived to Dexamyl, an antidepressant based onsimilar to amphetamine but without its side effects.
In her words, the barbiturate tremendously increased her efficiency in work and let her write for 20 hours without stop.
She tolsaid that Dexamyl eliminated the need to eat, sleep, and peurinate, so she could purely concentrate on her work.
I revised to "urinate" which is a bit more professional in tone, I mean, you can keep it as you did, especially if it's an indirect quote from her, but it might catch some readers off guard...lol
Sontag continued to use the drug for 20 years, although in a smaller doses later on.
When a journalist once asked her in an interview, did she if she ever smoked weed, Sontag responded: “To work efficiently I need good speed.
Grass, as you probably know, has a completely controversialopposite effect, so I don’t like it.”
"Grass" is such a 70s term, it sounds very humorous today, but obviously as it's a quote so it's appropriate here. Just funny ;)
Feedback
Great writing! Let me know if you have specific questions, this was a lot of material so I didn't write a ton of comments
Dec. 3, 2022
One of her close friends recalled that she could read up to five novels and listen up to ten operas a week, switching from reading to listening and backward so that so as to not to become bored.
"Strictly speaking, "back" implies a specific location, while "backward" is the process of moving in that direction, but in practice, there is rarely a real distinction. It is the same with "up" vs "upwards"
Maybe I can use "backward" still? ..
Dec. 3, 2022
Her interest in life, art, and people compelled her to early on to choose her life path.
I can't find a proper explanation why "early on" would be better :(
Dec. 3, 2022
From the moment she got access to a librariesy and becoame familiar with different writers and their books, she becamewas keen to become a writer.
agree, thnx
Dec. 3, 2022
But at a certain point she becomegan suffering from heavy pain caused by handwritingsevere pain due to writing by hand.
become — begin to be. "she became angry and sulked all day"
begin — perform or undergo the first part of (an action or activity). "Peter had just begun a life sentence for murder"
I still don't understand the difference, though..
Dec. 3, 2022
You should exchange some part of yourself in order to get a results.” She also asserted that pain improved her creativity and helped her to concentrate on writing.
help to? I was sure that there's no need for preposition
Dec. 3, 2022
However, at 16 she met her future husband, who was 11 years older than her, and byat the momenttime they met, already mhade a successful career as a teacher at the/a university.
thnx!
Dec. 3, 2022
He proposed to her already afteronly ten days sinceafter their first tryst and, soon thereafter, Sontag gotbecame pregnant.
thnx
Dec. 3, 2022
Even though at first she enjoyed their newlywed marriage andr life as a newlywed and the high-brow university friends she made through her husband, soon thereafter she confessed to herself that her relationship with husband lacksed passion, and filed for divorce.
why "the friends"? we didn't mention them before in text
Dec. 3, 2022
Surprisingly, she managed to carve out some time for her writing during thoseis troubled period of her life.
I'll delete "during..." so as not to repeat the same thing as in a previous sentence
Dec. 3, 2022
“I’ve never felt that I should have done it.
"I never felt the need to do it" explains the meaning correctly, thnx
Dec. 3, 2022
Her little son, in his stead, often slept either alone at home or in the houses of her(Sontag's?) mother's friends.
that's my error! "his mother's friends"
Dec. 3, 2022
She tolsaid that Dexamyl eliminated the need to eat, sleep, and peurinate, so she could purely concentrate on her work.
lol, thnx, I think your word will work better here
Dec. 3, 2022
Grass, as you probably know, has a completely controversialopposite effect, so I don’t like it.”
yeah, it's a quote :) lol
Dec. 3, 2022
thank you so much for your help, it was useful :) I have a couple of questions, it would be great if you can answer them.
The American writer, Susan Sontag, is well-known not only for her literary heritage but also for her curiosity oftoward new people, interesting books and music.
The commas are incorrect because her name is necessary information and, therefore, it’s a restrictive clause.
Feedback
About restrictive clauses:
https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/clauses#s-lg-box-9385610
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/using-that-and-which-is-all-about-restrictive-and-non-restrictive-clauses
Dec. 3, 2022
thnx for links. that's confusing because people on this site have told me before that I should add commas for names in any case. I'll check you sources 🙏
Dec. 3, 2022
Many native English speakers get this wrong in their own writing. When you’re unsure whether or not to add commas, one way to figure it out is to ask yourself, “If I were to delete the words that I’m considering enclosing in commas, would this significantly alter the meaning of the sentence?” If the answer is “yes,” then don’t add the commas.
For example, take this sentence: “The American writer Susan Sontag is well known for her sense of humor.” If you were to remove her name, would the essential meaning of the sentence change? “The American writer is well known for her sense of humor.” If your reader wouldn’t know which writer you’re talking about, then removing her name would change the meaning of the sentence and, therefore, you shouldn’t add commas.
Another example: “My wife, Susan, is a writer.” If I remove her name, “My wife is a writer,” is the essential meaning changed? Assuming that I have have only one wife, her name is just extra information, so removing it wouldn’t change the essential meaning of the sentence, and the commas are needed.
But what about this sentence? “My daughter Jane is a writer.” Is her name essential information? It depends on whether or not she’s my only daughter: if she is, then the information is nonessential and I should add commas before and after her name. But if I have two or more daughters, then if I were to remove her name, you wouldn’t know which daughter I’m talking about, and therefore her name is essential information and I should not add commas.
Dec. 3, 2022
Here’s another reference that talks specifically about commas with names. The part about appositives applies to your sentence.
https://www.artfulwords.com.au/commas-around-names/
Dec. 3, 2022
thank you so much for this detailed explanation! I'll check the link to figure out how to use commas with names 🙏😊
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The Daily Life of Susan Sontag This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
The American writer, Susan Sontag, is well-known not only for her literary heritage but also for her curiosity toward new people, interesting books and music. |
|
One of her close friends recalled that she could read up to five novels and listen up to ten operas a week, switching from reading to listening and backward so that not to become bored. One of her close friends recalled that she could read up to five novels and listen up to ten operas a week, switching from reading to listening and back |
|
Her interest in life, art, and people compelled her to early choose her life path. Her interest in life, art, and people compelled her |
|
From the moment she got access to libraries and become familiar with different writers and their books, she became keen to become a writer. From the moment she got access to a librar I deleted became since it sounds redundant with the following become, and it's not necessary anyway |
|
“I realised that people give away on their dreams simply because they quit at some point. “I realised that people give |
|
So, in this case I simply will not quit,” said Sontag. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
It may seem that with such confidence her success as a writer should have been just a matter of time. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
But in fact, there were a lot of impediments on her path, which substantially slowed her down. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
To begin with, Sontag’s writing process was far from impressive speed with which she consumed books and poetry. To begin with, Sontag’s writing process was far from impressive, given the speed with which she consumed books and poetry. |
|
She wrote books rather at a slow pace, editing and polishing every piece of writing until it would become perfect. She wrote books at a rather |
|
For instance, it took her nine years to write nine essays for her book On Photography. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
At first she preferred handwriting and wrote lying in her bed, surrounding herself with favourite books. At first she preferred |
|
But at a certain point she become suffering from heavy pain caused by handwriting. But at a certain point she be |
|
To stay productive, she moved to a desktop, bought a typewriter and a stiff chair. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
Still, this adjustment didn’t helped her, and she continued to plague from ache in her neck and fingers. Still, this adjustment didn’t help |
|
She eventually get used to it and even told: “Writing is a gambling. She eventually g |
|
You should exchange some part of you in order to get a result.” She also asserted that pain improved her creativity and helped her concentrate on writing. You should exchange some part of yourself in order to get |
|
After Sontag went to university at 15, she was quickly spotted with her writing by newspapers’ owners and editors. After Sontag went to university at 15, |
|
It seems that given her eager passion for writing and interest from the editors, she she could have achieved her dreams rather fast. |
|
However, at 16 she met her future husband, who was 11 years older than and by the moment they met already made a successful career as a teacher at university. |
|
He proposed her already after 10 days since their first tryst and soon thereafter, she became pregnant. |
|
At first she was thrilled with the prospects of their new life, but as it came out, not for long. At first she was thrilled with the prospects of their new life, but as it |
|
Even though at first she enjoyed their newlywed marriage and high-brow university friends, soon thereafter she confessed to herself that her relationship with husband lacks passion, and filed for divorce. Even though at first she enjoyed |
|
After a while she moved to the city with her little son and found a job as an editor in a local newspaper, noticeably keep refusing time after time any financial support from her ex-husband. After a while she moved to the city with her |
|
At those times she hadn’t had enough money and often found herself doing many side jobs in order to earn money for her son upbringing.
|
|
Surprisingly, she managed to carve out some time for her writing in those troubled period of her life. Surprisingly, she managed to carve out some time for her writing during th |
|
When Sontag was asked later how she did it, she responded that she gave up some unimportant tasks, such as home-made food for her son. When Sontag was asked later how she did it, she responded that she gave up some unimportant tasks, such as |
|
“I’ve never felt that I should have done it. “I’ve never felt that I should have done it. I'm not entirely sure what this means, that she never felt the need to make home-cooked meals? If so, "I never felt the need to do it" would be clearer. That she regrets having not made home-cooked meals? Then "I've always felt that I should have done more" is how I would put it, although I think this might contradict slightly the previous sentence where you refer to it as an "unimportant task" |
|
In fact, I’ve never cooked, only heated”, she said. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
Another impediment that prevented Sontag from writing was her unwillingness to stay alone; she had always been outgoing and preferred spending time at parties and concerts. Another impediment t |
|
Sontag was aware that her inclination toward social life has nothing in common with writer’s work, and was frightened that this peculiarity could harm her writing efficiency. Sontag was aware that her inclination toward a social life ha |
|
As a result, she harshly condemned herself for that, but, nevertheless, couldn’t resist social gatherings. As a result, she harshly condemned herself for th |
|
Her little son, in his stead, often slept either alone at home or in the houses of her mother's friends. Her little son, in his stead, often slept either alone at home or in the houses of The second "her" is a bit confusing as it's not obvious if it's referring to Sontag, maybe the best solution would be "in the houses of friends of Sontag's mother" |
|
In the second part of her life Sontag become addictive to Dexamyl, an antidepressant based on amphetamine but without its side effects. In the second part of her life Sontag become addict |
|
In her words, the barbiturate tremendously increased her efficiency in work and let her write for 20 hours without stop. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
She told that Dexamyl eliminated the need to eat, sleep, pee, so she could purely concentrate on her work. |
|
Sontag continued to use the drug for 20 years, although in a smaller doses later on. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
When a journalist once asked her in an interview, did she smoke weed, Sontag responded: “To work efficiently I need good speed. When a journalist once asked her in an interview |
|
Grass, as you probably know, has a completely controversial effect, so I don’t like it.” Grass, as you probably know, has a completely "Grass" is such a 70s term, it sounds very humorous today, but obviously as it's a quote so it's appropriate here. Just funny ;) |
|
The American writer, Susan Sontag, is well-known not only for her literary heritage but also for her curiosity of new people, interesting books and music. The American writer The commas are incorrect because her name is necessary information and, therefore, it’s a restrictive clause. The American writer, Susan Sontag, is well-known not only for her literary heritage but also for her curiosity |
|
It seems that given her eager passion for writing and interest from the editors, she could have achieved her dreams rather fast. It seems that given her eager |
|
However, at 16 she met her future husband, who was 11 years older than her and by the moment they met already made a successful career as a teacher at university. However, at 16 she met her future husband, who was 11 years older than her, and "the" university if it's the same as the one Sontag is attending, "a" university if a different one |
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He proposed her already after 10 days since their first tryst and, soon thereafter, Sontag got pregnant. |
|
He proposed her already after ten days since their first tryst and, soon thereafter, Sontag got pregnant. He proposed to her "got pregnant" works too but is a bit too informal here |
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She told that Dexamyl eliminated the need to eat, sleep, and pee, so she could purely concentrate on her work. She I revised to "urinate" which is a bit more professional in tone, I mean, you can keep it as you did, especially if it's an indirect quote from her, but it might catch some readers off guard...lol |
|
The American writer Susan Sontag is well-known not only for her literary heritage but also for her curiosity toward new people, interesting books and music. |
|
One of her close friends recalled that she could read up to five novels and listen up to ten operas a week, switching from reading to listening and backward so as to not become bored. |
|
Her interest in life, art, and people compelled her early on to choose her life path. |
|
From the moment she got access to a library and became familiar with different writers and their books, she was keen to become a writer. |
|
“I realised that people give up on their dreams because they simply quit at some point. |
|
To begin with, Sontag’s writing process was far from impressive, given the speed with which she consumed books and poetry. |
|
She wrote books at a rather slow pace, editing and polishing every piece of writing until it was perfect. |
|
At first she preferred writing by hand and wrote lying in her bed, surrounding herself with her favourite books. |
|
But at a certain point she began suffering from severe pain due to writing by hand. |
|
Still, this adjustment didn’t help, and she continued to be plagued with an ache in her neck and fingers. |
|
She eventually got used to it and even said: “Writing is a gambe. |
|
You should exchange some part of yourself in order to get results.” She also asserted that pain improved her creativity and helped her to concentrate on writing. |
|
After Sontag went to university at 15, her writing was quickly noticed by newspaper owners and editors. |
|
It seems that given her eagerness for writing and interest from the editors, she could have achieved her dreams rather quickly. |
|
However, at 16 she met her future husband, who was 11 years older than her, and at the time they met, already had a successful career as a teacher at a university. |
|
He proposed to her only ten days after their first date and, soon thereafter, Sontag became pregnant. |
|
At first she was thrilled with the prospects of their new life, but as it turned out, not for long. |
|
Even though at first she enjoyed her life as a newlywed and the high-brow university friends she made through her husband, soon thereafter she confessed to herself that her relationship lacked passion, and filed for divorce. |
|
After a while she moved to the city with her small child and found a job as an editor at a local newspaper, notably refusing time and time again any financial support from her ex-husband. |
|
During that period, she never had enough money and often found herself doing many side jobs in order to afford raising her child. |
|
Surprisingly, she still managed to carve out some time for her writing. |
|
When Sontag was asked later how she did it, she responded that she gave up some unimportant tasks, such as cooking for her son. |
|
“I never felt the need to do it. |
|
Another impediment to Sontag's writing was her unwillingness to be alone; she had always been outgoing and preferred spending time at parties and concerts. |
|
Sontag was aware that her inclination toward a social life had nothing in common with writer’s work, and was frightened that this peculiarity could harm her writing efficiency. |
|
As a result, she harshly condemned herself for this, but, nevertheless, couldn’t resist social gatherings. |
|
Her little son, in his stead, often slept either alone at home or in the houses of his mother's friends. |
|
In the second part of her life Sontag become addicted to Dexamyl, an antidepressant similar to amphetamine but without its side effects. |
|
She said that Dexamyl eliminated the need to eat, sleep, and urinate, so she could purely concentrate on her work. |
|
When a journalist once asked her in an interview, if she ever smoked weed, Sontag responded: “To work efficiently I need good speed. |
|
Grass, as you probably know, has a completely opposite effect, so I don’t like it.” |
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