Page 20 - 2018 July Voices

TERRY TALKS

Tom Wolfe &

My Way

Terry Beard

Author Tom Wolfe passed away, in May 2017,
at age 88. We can learn much from him. His
dissertation at Yale University was rejected
because of his attention-getting writing style. He

didn’t conform to the mores and expectations
of the Yale elite.
Wolfe had his own writing style. He
began his journalism career in Springfield,

Massachusetts, working for the Union News.
In 1962, he went to work for the International
Herald Tribune, in New York City. There he
found his voice as a social chronicler. Wolfe

specialized in lacerating the pretentiousness
of others. He called it like it was.
I am intrigued by Wolfe’s writing Tom Wolfe CREDIT
style. I feel empowered too. Once we find MARK SELIGER

our voices, we have the confidence to
communicate, to share what we see in our
own unique style, and what we glean living often, there is a lack of kudos and celebration
our daily lives. Wolfe found his voice at The expressed—making sure that no one gets ahead

International Herald Tribune. And like many of us. To keep people feeling not good enough
of you, I have found my voice at Toastmasters. so they do not surpass us.
Borrowing a page out of Wolfe’s writing Several weeks ago, a guest at the Portland
style, I am pleased to chronicle a story which Rotary Toastmaster Club, where I am a member,

stopped me in my tracks. A straight forward story introduced himself. Our guest “Robert”
about the social fabric which is prevalent in our mentioned that he had discovered our club
all-too-competitive society. People put people on the internet, and that this was his first
down rather than giving them “put ups.” All too Toastmaster meeting.

20 ONE COMMUNITY