I found myself chatting with Birney Imes the other day about writing a column for the newspaper. For those of you who don’t know, Birney was publisher of The Commercial Dispatch for just over two decades. He is father of current Publisher Peter, and Birney also wrote a column called “Partial to Home,” which I was partial to myself.
Birney’s columns were unique. I’ve taken note of his writing, but any attempt at imitation by me would be mediocre at best. He just had a way of bringing people and their stories to life.
My style of writing is indicative of everyday Clay. Some days I amaze myself, other days I walk around looking for my phone while it’s in my hand.
While talking with Birney, we touched on what makes a column readable. He said that he often gathered content by watching people through his everyday surroundings. For example, he mentioned recently seeing a man playing a harmonica for shoppers in the grocery store and thought to himself, “Now that’s a column.”
I think people like to read what’s relatable. Someone recently asked me how I’m able to share such deeply personal aspects of my life in the newspaper. My answer was simple: I have a story to tell. I think when a person has experienced deep layers of change throughout their life, it makes for relatable content.
I want my words to be opinionated but with reason. The human condition is a collective trait that, ironically, brings us closer together while tearing us apart, so why not write about it? Each of our lives is a series of overlapping perspectives, and I for one want to view them all.
Sometimes the question for me isn’t what to write, but when to write about it. Reading is a mood for which the tone must be set. If the prose doesn’t fit the mood, then the moment is lost.
I try to picture people reading the newspaper. Where are they when they read it? Do they take it digitally or prefer the print edition? I have one reader, a friend, who says he won’t read the weekend paper until Sunday, despite its delivery on Saturday. He believes it is reserved for reading on one day and one day only.
There was a time when the Sunday paper was a standalone edition. I guess old habits die hard for those that remember. Routines are built around something as simple and nostalgic as a newspaper. A Sunday morning cup of coffee paired with the lifestyles section is most superb.
If someone I know compliments one of my columns, I read it again while trying to grasp it from their perspective. That’s the captivating thing about stories. Everyone reads them with a different set of eyes.
When I was about 6 years old, I had an imaginary friend. His name was Byron. I always created scenarios in my head for the two of us to experience. I saw the world through his eyes and through mine. My adventures with Byron blended reality with imagination.
Today I still imagine my way through reality, but I do it without Byron. Although he was good company, I presume imaginary friends are most likely frowned upon by other adults. Talking to an invisible person at work or social gatherings could most likely have me fit for a straightjacket.
I think writing or telling a story is a lot like acting. It is a portrayal of something else. Similar to my time with Byron, I try to envision the world through the eyes of others and then put it to words. Every moment of my day presents a relatable story, then I make notes about it in my journal. Like Birney said, stories are everywhere.
A friend once mentioned to me that he would love to write, but he didn’t know how to begin. I told him it’s easy — just start writing. Each of us is living short stories, poetry and columns just waiting to be shared.
Believe it or not, my process is simple. I just write what’s on my mind until it’s not. Then I go back and try to make it all make sense.
The most formidable challenge for me is agonizing over what will be considered interesting. Sometimes I write the column and other times the column writes itself. I guess as long as imaginary friends, harmonicas and the occasional talks with Birney exist, I should have plenty on my mind.
It’s rewarding giving readers something to look forward to. I want my column to be a mood, if only for a moment. Ideally, I imagine my words accompanying a cup of coffee on a lazy weekend morning, to which readers will declare, “Now that’s a column.”
Clay Bowen is a Columbus native who cooked professionally as a chef in fine dining for 12 years and appeared on the third season of Top Chef. He is also a licensed landscape horticulturist. Email him at [email protected].
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
