When asked by his publisher why he wrote Charlotte's Web with a spider for a protagonist, and after waxing poetic about the merits of spiders, author E.B. White ended his response with:
"I haven't told you why I wrote the book, but I haven't told you why I sneeze, either. A book is a sneeze."
A sneeze, indeed. Those of us who are compelled to write, often don't have much of a reason for putting words to paper, other than the fact that it feels good. Like a sneeze, it might be messy at times, but getting it out when the urge strikes brings relief from whatever is all up in a person's head that wants out. Writers also often lack satisfying outlets for our words, with old fashioned diaries being too narrow an audience, and social media being largely filled with individuals not interested in too many words, or individuals who are ill equipped to serve as a productive sounding board. Knowing where to politely direct a sneeze is essential.
In the 17th century, sneezing was considered an act which cleared the head and mind, and was embraced for the feeling of exhileration it produced. Priviledged members of "high society" viewed sneezing as an act which elevated their status, to the extent that people carried small boxes of snuff or other herbs to induce the response. Eventually, random sneezing fell out of favor, and instead the self-induced sneeze was relegated to sneezing only in moments where one wished to show their pretentious disapproval of a matter.
Once a sneeze became indicative of haughty dismissal, it logically follows that something worth considering would bring us the well known idiom of being "nothing to sneeze at." Except, like E.B. White, I much prefer the feeling of exhileration that follows a good, hearty sneeze. Just get it out. Don't hold back. So it is with that notion, coupled with my own humbleness in knowing that not everything I write will be all that substantial, that I bring you: "Something to Sneeze At."
