defensive writing

From David Slavitt's new book of essays:

“You learn to write defensively, as you learn to drive defensively, always looking out for sudden wacky things those with whom you share the road are likely to do. But there is a limit beyond which caution becomes anxiety so that you can´t even get into the car.”

I'd imagine a whole series of essays: manual vs automatic transmission / poetry in overdrive / always use your turn signals / jumpstart / oil change / tire pressure or tired pressure / power steering / catalytic converter / passenger comfort / fan belts / mufflers / cruise control.......I'm sure there are many more.  Any help?

Re Verse: Essays on Poetry and Poets
David R. Slavitt
Northwestern University Press

Comments

[Joe Milutis]

sunday drivers, assholes on cellphones, hydroplaning!, those who drive well with cellphones who have been given a bad rap because of those who use cellphones poorly, the trunk, Emily Dickinson's dashboard, Alexander Pope's glove compartment, cupholders for cupholders sake, the Escalade poet, the mechanic, the bicyclist . . .

[oriana ivy]

"writing defensively" made me think of "political correctness." At its worst, you can't even say "handicapped" or "disabled" -- you have to write: "differently abled." As someone who grew up under Communism, I was struck by her inept Communist propaganda was next to the commercial propaganda I encountered everywhere in America. Then came political correctness, and I felt a sudden nostalgia for the portrait of Karl Marx that used to hang in every classroom -- that politically incorrect Jehova beard, that uncowed look in his eyes.

[John Guzlowski]

Writing defensively? Really, what would Kerouac say!

I think it's time for a little "reading defensively." I would have to read more of Slavitt's essay to know what he's talking about.

The interesting thing is that if you google "writing defensively" you come up with some interesting things.