Talent Vs Skill Quotes

V.S. Pritchett's definition of a short story is 'something glimpsed from the corner of the eye, in passing.' Notice the 'glimpse' part of this. First the glimpse. Then the glimpse gives life, turned into something that illuminates the moment and may, if we're lucky -- that word again -- have even further ranging consequences and meaning. The short story writer's task is to invest the glimpse with all that is in his power. He'll bring his intelligence and literary skill to bear (his talent), his sense of proportion and sense of the fitness of things: of how things out there really are and how he sees those things -- like no one else sees them. And this is done through the use of clear and specific language, language used so as to bring to life the details that will light up the story for the reader. For the details to be concrete and convey meaning, the language must be accurate and precisely given. The words can be so precise they may even sound flat, but they can still carry; if used right they can hit all the notes.

One thing I am clear on, though, is why the show Man vs. Wild has been so successful. I consider it is down to the magic three: good fortune, an amazing team, and a willingness to risk it all. My magic trio. There is no doubt that good fortune and blessed timing have been at the heart of why the program has worked. All too often I meet extraordinarily talented people: whether they are world-class climbers, champion skydivers, or survival-bushcraft gurus. Invariably, they are more skilled than me--and, annoyingly, often better-looking and more muscled to boot! And, if the truth be told, they could all probably do my job better than me, as well.

There has been one further element to Man vs. Wild’s success, and that is its underlying message. I believe it is actually the biggest factor. If you think about it, at heart, there is such a strong link between survival and life. I mean, we are all in a battle of some sort, aren’t we? Surviving. It feels like day by day sometimes. But talent, skill, and luck are only a part of what carries people through. A small part. There is a bigger element that separates the real survivors. It is heart, hope, and doggedness. Those are the qualities that really matter. Ditto in life. A young kid came up to me in the street a few days ago. He looked me square in the eye and asked me: “If you could tell me one survival message, what would it be?” I thought about it for a moment. I wanted to give him a decent answer. Then I saw it very clearly. “Smile when it’s raining, and when you’re going through hell--keep going.” The boy thought for a moment. Then he looked up at me and said: “It rains a lot where I live.” We all know the feeling. Maybe he’ll remember the message one day--when he really needs it.