Question

Burstein talks about the fourth embrace being one that can help artists find their voice. In unit 2, we learned about a writer’s voice and ways to develop it. How might Burstein’s fourth embrace apply specifically to a writer finding their voice?

Answer 1

Julie Burstein  implies that rejections can actually be seen as a blessing in disguise:

• "There's a fourth embrace, and it's the hardest. It's the embrace of loss, the oldest and most constant of human experiences. In order to create, we have to stand in that space between what we see in the world and what we hope for, looking squarely at rejection, at heartbreak, at war, at death. That's a tough space to stand in."

This is a very common occurrence in a writer's life, rejections come with the territory. The important thing is to keep trying. There is a reason why a manuscript was rejected, it wasn't unique, or it wasn't developed enough, or it simply wasn't worth salvaging. But in order to find their voice, writers need to be open to experimentation, to change and the ability to adapt.

Another inspirational statement in the same vein comes from Sylvia Plath:

• "I love my rejection slips. They show me I try."

Answer 2

Answer:

The fourth embrace-- the embrace of loss–would be effective in helping artists find their voicebecause recognizing loss and the pain of the human existence brings a sensitive and receptive part of usto life and that breathes life into our creative minds. Experiencing the world around you and fullyunderstanding the loss of yourself and others helps you come to a realization that creativity isn't justabout self-- but also about others as well. A writer would be able to more effectively find their voice,their personality in their writing, from the fourth embrace because the loss invokes a “sense ofurgency... the need to get to work.”

Explanation: