Hello,

I just read and really enjoyed your article “Notes on Codification and Commodification in Travel Writing”. To me, your statement “No bullshit entry fee” seems like an example of codified writing. It is your opinion that entry fees are ‘bullshit’ and here you are “couching it as a kind of quasi-fact”.

I don’t mean to attack you or anything, I was just surprised when I navigated to your blog and saw this statement after reading the article. I seriously loved the article. I bookmarked it and will probably go back to read parts every time I write any kind of narrative.

xx,
Jacqueline

Jacqueline,

thanks for commenting and calling me out on the ‘bullshit’.

i think you’re right, it is a form of codified writing.

it’s also an example of not really writing / revising, but just mentioning something as fast as possible and not really thinking about it.

which is really the whole point about paying attention to codified / commodified style in writing – it’s like a default mode ‘hardwired’ into most of us, i believe.

anyway, i’m glad that article was helpful.

dm