Go to Can You Believe This?
- Add a comment
- Go to Bloggers with Way Too Much Time on Their Hands
JJ
We all have our days. Verbiage is a curse for writers. I didn't mean to leave. I took a full time job, out of the home job that has turned into 10 to 12-hour days. I'm trying to build up a blog in the Lists section for writers on dates in history (birthdays, crimes, historical stuff, inventions) for writers. People seem to like it, but I'm not getting much input.
posted by
terpgirl30
on July 14, 2005 at 4:42 AM
| link to this | reply
Terp,
Thanks for your reply. I thought about my comment afterward and thought I overdid it a bit, but thanks for responding well. I'll still be back to read more of your posts. Your style is quite interesting. You disappeared from Blogit somehow, and I thought you had left. I am glad to see that you didn't.
JJ
posted by
Jack_Flash
on July 13, 2005 at 10:31 PM
| link to this | reply
It seems you have met some interetesting.
characters hereabouts. Somehow I manage to avoid getting in trouble. Seems you haven't been so fortunate.
posted by
word.smith
on July 10, 2005 at 6:22 PM
| link to this | reply
Joe
That's what I was saying to JJ's comments when s/he was saying I was too wordy. This is all off the top of my head. I'd like to take credit for great writing skills with this, but you haven't met my family. This is how we speak...total verbal volleyball. I swear my dad stays up at night thinking up pithy little statements that he might one day be able to work into a conversation. (Unfortunately, once he says he, he tells the same story over and over so he can use the line.)
Speaking of which...I was at my husband's high school reunion picnic yesterday. A good-old-boy was telling a story about being in the Marine Corp and giant mosquitoes attacking him. He said "These mosquitoes were bad...I mean they had hair on their chin and back...Mean mosquitoes." I knew I'd have to steal that line and put it somewhere.
This same guy was talking about the aging process and how he used to pull gray hair out his head. Now he's balding, though more noticeable to him, I think, so he's using Rogaine. Then he got contemplative...and I love when a good-old-boy does that. He said, "Well, men- women we're all going to have our things as we get older, right? Us guys get the hair falling out, and women get breasts that end up sagging down low enough to look like two egs hanging off of a nail." (His wife thumped him pretty hard right around then.)
Seriously...See, now you'll get why I called this, "You Can't Make This Stuff Up." The stuff that comes out of people's mouths are far better than what I read in fiction.
Thanks for the nice comments, Joe.
posted by
terpgirl30
on July 10, 2005 at 4:00 PM
| link to this | reply
A most well-structured, excellent entry
I wish I knew exactly whom you were referring to, even though I have my own suspicions.
I will be reading you again, since your composition is very crafty and stylish. In the middle of a serious discussion, you threw in dashes of humor with subtlety. This made me smile: Following somebody down the road because of their vanity plate; Why am I the subject of a post--I'm boring.
posted by
Joe_Love
on July 10, 2005 at 12:31 PM
| link to this | reply
Terpgirl30
Good to see you too. I am so relieved that I am more sympathetic to people than I used to be. Life must be much more miserable for those who are the other way.
Yes the hyperspeed pace that some people keep here is strange or seems so when you remove yourself from it as I have.
posted by
Azur
on July 8, 2005 at 10:14 AM
| link to this | reply
MayB!!
Great to see you! I've been noticing you taking that stroll away from Blogit land. Good for you. We talked of the pain/injury stuff before. I think when you go through stuff like that, then hear someone complaining about some minor ailment, it puts everything in perspective for you. It's the same way professionally for me, and you've said the same. I never stress over it in a place like this. I know what I do hits the mark when it needs to. I sometimes take the long way home when I'm driving, too, just because it's a nice day...which I know you understand. You don't have to be on or have a reason to do something all the time. Perfect all the time is a heavy burden.
It's funny, I thought on the part of people commenting in a sort of hyper speed here, and that's exactly how I've seen it from the start, and how I want it. My best friend and I always say we play verbal volleyball with one another. The set up part is the fun part for me. I don't care who scores in the end.
posted by
terpgirl30
on July 8, 2005 at 9:58 AM
| link to this | reply
Know it all bloggers need to get lives
Terpgirl30, it is so nice isn't it when we get past that stage in life where we expect everyone else to be perfect? It is good and nice to help those who seek help if we can do so. I recall a stink a while ago where some were saying that some of the Top 10 should be standard bearers. Like you I am happy to be who I am and do what I enjpy. JUst lately that has not involved blogging and i am pleased to say I was equally happy not blogging
posted by
Azur
on July 8, 2005 at 9:51 AM
| link to this | reply
Offbeat
I'm with you. I know what I'd have to do to get up there, but I don't want to. It's not why I joined. I think people have to respect the various reasons. The crazy catfights that have broken out over how professionals here need to teach others gets annoying. You sound like you're getting out of it exactly what you want to, as am I. I can't figure out why people wonder, worry or argue about the how/why of all of that. It works for me. I'm good with that.
posted by
terpgirl30
on July 8, 2005 at 9:45 AM
| link to this | reply
JJ
The problem is that it is generally off the top of my head---and I don't want to change that. I'm never going to pare it down just because I'm not editing this stuff at all. (See, I would have cut off "at all" there but it's my lunch hour and if I spent time worrying about that kind of thing, I'd never get anything down here.) When I want to sell it, then I put it through the edit stage. I know a lot of people are writing to be writers here, but since it's what I do for money, I'm just not in that frame of mind when I come here. So, you're so right, I often run around the thought when I want to slap it upside the head. Most often, whatever that post is for that moment came out of a statement from someone 5 minutes earlier or a news report I still have sitting up on the computer.
I love the comments people make, and they tend to get points I throw out in rambling aside thing, so I'm not sure I want to lose that either. I don't want it to be an editorial, swaying anyone one way or another. I'm getting a lot out of whatever it is that jogs people to write the asides I hadn't thought of in the first place. I'm just presenting the pool, if you will, for people to swim in.
posted by
terpgirl30
on July 8, 2005 at 9:43 AM
| link to this | reply
Terp
I am here because I enjoy reading. Blogit gives me the outlet to write. I have found in this world of blog, the ability to see and feel how others view different situations. I do not claim to be a good writer, but I am a good reader. My objective in Blogit is to observe how life outside my little community really is. There are many good writers in here, some of the very best do not get read. I do not always leave a comment. Like you, I have received nasty (testy) emails from people who did not like the comment I did leave. So be it. In this forum no one will always agree on a variety of subjects, but that is to be expected. This is another reason I do not comment. Some people I read because they are just interesting. I suppose if we had 24/7 to dedicate to this site we could banter and be in the top 10. Most of us have other things to do in our lives, thank God. I really like the people in here, I have learned from them. Blogit is a good experience.
posted by
Offy
on July 8, 2005 at 1:55 AM
| link to this | reply
Terpy,
I like your writing. It's structured appropriately, grammatically well done, interesting, and to the point. Prune it down by 10-20% in volume, and it will be almost perfect.
I notice that you attract commentary with something of a ''struttin' my stuff'' style.
Anti-magnetic. I glanced and skipped. I noted a hyper-verbosity on all participants.
Like painting a house--if you need five gallons and you use 8, it looks like hell.
Thinking about it--you inundated your point. I'm not sure I can even remember it clearly.
I recall in a fuzzy fashion because there was too much there. Cohesiveness was diluted.
I did like it well enough to come back. Your ideas are good, and written in a fashion that
is well above average.
Thanks for a good post.
End of Bullshit.
JJ
posted by
Jack_Flash
on July 8, 2005 at 1:31 AM
| link to this | reply
Why I am here?
I am writing again for the first time in years. Technically, yes I have been "published," big hairy deal that that is.
I like people and I like to experience their vastly different lives.
I write what I feel like and sometimes engage in "conversations" or just for fun posts. Today I decided to host a "Rant" (as opposed to a Rave) simply because I thought it would be interesting to see what people chose as th objects of their rants. I will mention names when I compile things into some form of entertaining discussion of my sociology study results.
I can't see how anyone can complain about various "techniques" or quality of posts. No one is forcing anyone to read and it is possible to block comments from those who are simply rude.
posted by
FactorFiction
on July 1, 2005 at 10:19 AM
| link to this | reply
Randomly
The slander/libel thing is really just the opposite of what you're saying. First the rules are very different regarding public figures. It's tough to slander/libel a public figure. You're right, it comes with the territory. They have to prove malice as well as the fact that something is wrong...as well as the fact that they had a potential loss to it. That's a lot to prove. Again, negative publicity is still publicity, and public figures pay for publicity, so even with a lie, they get their money in PR, then with the loud spin trying to negate the wrong words.
It is the private person who gets caught in some weird crossfire who is most harmed. They have the best legal redress, for sure, but the damage is done. A star is used to hearing crazy stuff, but John Smith down the street may be thrown over the edge by seeing something about himself or family. He may not have the money to seek redress. He's held up to public humiliation in the only places that are important to him: neighborhood,work, church. Regardless of how often the truth is spread after that, that lie is often much more interested, and someone will continue to repeat it years later.
posted by
terpgirl30
on June 29, 2005 at 5:23 AM
| link to this | reply
Behind
Wow, thanks for such kind words. I was born writing this long. I don't think I can do short. Maybe that's why I end up in magazines all the time as opposed to newspapers. Long is good for me as long as it's organized and lays out a point. Unfortunately, when most people write long stuff it's just 1)I think this way, and if you don't you're wrong with 10 restatements of that same thing. Tell me something new, again whether I agree with it or not, as long as it's something for me to think about.
I got caught up in a far worse, off the cut slap fest. Like you I was mortified. I still don't agree with much of what the woman said, but I went back and posted publicly that I shouldn't have written that. The thing about being verbal is you have to fight that urge to say what you can. I've known since I was young that I could seriously destroy someone with my words, and I fight that urge for annoying people. Just because you can, doesn't me you should. I fight that every day in a place like this.
But as you (and I) are finding out---there are really good, interesting things here. I'm trying to concentrate on that and not get involved in all the weird high school "will I be prom queen" fights.
Please let me know if you find good blogs. There are so many to keep track of, and it sounds like you're on the same track I'm on.
kim
posted by
terpgirl30
on June 29, 2005 at 5:13 AM
| link to this | reply
terpgirl30
I like to read short, quick posts; however, your post kept my attention.
I joined BLOGIT based on a friends opinion of the site. I jumped into it, blindly, allowing all the writers to guide me. THAT WAS A MISTAKE. I did what other people were doing. I tried to fit in. But in the past few days I learned many valuable lessons. I credit several fellow bloggers for helping to guide me in the right direction.
I have since re-thought my purpose. I have since re-posted much of my writing to appropriate catgegories. And, I have since reconsidered whom I would and would not like to read, converse with, or oblige with a comment. I fell prey to an opinion topic and allowed a less than desirable personality to get under my skin. I lashed out inappropriately, and now I am humiliated. But your post is encouraging. It will help me remain focused as I do not want to participate in vulgar displays of discontentment, blog wars over spirituality/religion, or offend anyone because of the words I type on my keyboard. In a nutshell, I'm here to write often and to observe the writings of other whom I hold in high regard. Thank you for asking the question. Thank you for letting us all take a look at why we're here.
posted by
behindamask
on June 28, 2005 at 7:47 PM
| link to this | reply
Randomly
I've never really understood the need to use fake names in any type of setting. Then again, it could just be my rampant and rampaging lack of caring about who gets offended by my words, sometimes.
But I figure even that goes with the territory. Libel and slander really only hurts the people who are going after an office in the government or who have the money to pay legal fees to fight it. I know I don't care what people say about me (because I left high school quite some time ago, thank you very much!) and if anyone has a beef about what I say, they need to get with me one on one about it.
I suppose the need for noms de guerre sprouts from the seventeeth and eighteenth centuries (at LEAST... my knowledge is hazy on the exactitudes) where it was fashionable and polite to use Mr. M and Mrs. T in letters of public or even private record.
But I really don't think that's what's happening here. ;)
posted by
shadeling
on June 28, 2005 at 7:22 PM
| link to this | reply
Usual
Thanks, so much. I'm glad I'm not alone here for some reason. There are people I read who bring me so much pleasure and I know they don't get many visits. I don't know if it's a style or something I identify with personally. For the most part though, like you said, it's just that they take the time to be themselves and write what they want and not play to a crowd. That, in and of itself, draws me in. I want to know more. These are people I'd like to talk to at a party. I wouldn't want to sit next to those loud boors who babble on about personal trainers (and I'm physically okay, for those who will jump to that assumption), tell me they are the world's best parents for 80 columns in a row, etc.
In my family column, I try to talk about things that I think are commonalities---fears, questions. We are all in this world together, and we share lots of things, the most basic things. It annoys the crud out of me when the talk centers on how this group or that group is ugly, unfit, unruly, unable to write to they shouldn't be allowed, etc. There are too many "no you can'ts" in this world. I like to hear from people who are sort of muddling along trying things---and making them work. That's interesting to me.
That you for your insight.
Kim
posted by
terpgirl30
on June 27, 2005 at 7:59 PM
| link to this | reply
I think, for the most part....
that I am just a spy in the house of blog. I read as much as I can and take note of writers that interest me so that I can visit them with some regularity, hence, rewarding them for a job continuously well done. Most of the time I will comment because I know I like to know what people are thinking about what they've just read when they visit me. I'm not aware of the unwritten (?) rules here and I don't care to be. I'm paying a monthly membership fee to write whatever the hell I feel like writing and to hopefully read some inspiring/thought-provoking/controversial/uplifting material from others. I don't get into name dropping unless someone deserves some major recognition for what they've said and others should pay attention to it. I certainly would never attempt to ride someone's coattails as mine are just fine and dandy, thank you.
Also, I almost always leave lengthy comments as displayed here. I'll say what I want in as many words as I want and if you don't like it, don't read it. So, I guess that's it. Thanks for a great post. I enjoyed it.
posted by
UsualSuspect
on June 27, 2005 at 6:27 PM
| link to this | reply
Muser
Any writer who wants to really get a good unbiased view needs to go outside that comfortable circle. I am basing a murder mystery series in Baltimore, and we have pretty definite humor. I needed to know if it would be funny to people elsewhere, so I went to a national writing group. I hit all different sorts. My murder victim in the first one is a married transvestite. I ran it by a full-blooded, male Indian who was a bit of a biker, again past a Washington, DC, right wing retired fire captain. If I just ran stuff past my normal circle, even ones who will tell me the truth, they are likely to be approaching things from my own perspective. They'll get it. The trick is reaching beyond that, outside that comfort level.
I haven't put up any of that here, and likely won't, as it's meant for publication as is. I have been working on humor columns. My best friend is working on humor stuff here as well, and we'll probably do stuff together. Since I have worked in writing in general, I've been thinking of Blogit as a sort of Improv like comedians do. They play big markets, but are always testing out new material in small venues just to see what will bomb long before people throw things at you in public. :)
This kind of forum is great for that because it has so many people from so many fields. You don't want to write and have it reviewed by just writers, or for comedians, just comedians. It will play to Joe Public. You have to step outside your circle. I think you are on the right track with that. I think that's a great way to use this place. If nothing else, people here are really honest when they hate something. :)
posted by
terpgirl30
on June 27, 2005 at 7:05 AM
| link to this | reply
Good morning, Terpgirl. I peruse the New Posts in the morning and read the
some that look interesting, some that don't, and I admit to reading some out of curiosity. I joined Blogit.com to develop the discipline to write daily, and I have met that goal.The money I spend each month to maintain my membership here is purely for entertainment, so I don't feel the need to make it back. I was curious also about what kind of response I would get to some things I have written...stories, poems, character development...my magnolias really came to life here. I have been pleasantly surprised at the positive response; it was important to me to get unbiased opinions, and my curiosity has been satisfied. I am still here because I am being entertained...there are some very interesting people here, some really nice people here. It is just so easy to get caught up in blogging that the writing I want to focus on is not getting done...(and I do have a life outside of Blogit.com with the demands that go along with living) I can't maintain both, so my blogs have suffered of late. I have come to the conclusion that blogging, for me, can be a positive experience as long as it doesn't become addictive, and as long as I don't engage in "blog battles"...I have 168 hours a week like everyone else...I have to decide how I want to spend them.
posted by
muser
on June 27, 2005 at 5:34 AM
| link to this | reply