Go to The Impossibility Of Knowing
- Add a comment
- Go to What's Really On Writers' Minds?
mayb
I don't think we would. Self-regard trumps sex. *grin*
posted by
Joe_Love
on October 8, 2005 at 6:59 AM
| link to this | reply
Your own story deserves writing about GaelicLostSoul. It's fascinating
posted by
Azur
on October 4, 2005 at 11:58 PM
| link to this | reply
This post hits home on so many levels.
-My step-father died in June, leaving me a small, but good, inheritance.
-I decided I wasn't going to save it (I should get the rest in January), but was instead going to experience life as much as I could.
-A lot of this 'experiencing life' involved having sex with as many women as I could (in as safe a way as possible).
-I quit my job working in an accounting department (which I hated) to become, after I seriously considered several other possibilities (including being a funeral director), a freelance writer (along with freelance anything artistic...public speaking, acting, singing in a band, etc. etc.).
-I've had two people want me to write their biography after just meeting them. One was a NY businessman who wound up just liking to hear himself talk, and wasn't too into helping a penniless writer financially. So I nixed that one. I met the other earlier this week, so it's very much still in the air.
- Also, I have a job offer in the Northwest writing for a start-up magazine, which I plan on taking and moving to that area.
So sex and writing biographies (writing in general really), along with death (have had health problems, expecially with my heart) certainly have been big topics/themes in my life in the last few months.
posted by
GaelicLostSoul
on October 4, 2005 at 10:48 PM
| link to this | reply
Excellent posts sometimes result in good comments.
sex is chocolate!!!
posted by
CunningLinguist
on October 4, 2005 at 12:29 PM
| link to this | reply
Crimewriters live the lives through their pages so that in reality they don't have to
posted by
Azur
on October 4, 2005 at 11:08 AM
| link to this | reply
Johnmcnab, I am sure there must be some female tome writers but no one has stepped up to mention any
posted by
Azur
on October 4, 2005 at 11:08 AM
| link to this | reply
CL, good analogy but which is which?
It was fascinating listening to this guy. The sex life of his subject was integral to the story. Interesting about Jackson Pollock. These darker sides play such a part in the story too. The world needs eccentric.
Thanks for your most excellent comment.
posted by
Azur
on October 4, 2005 at 11:07 AM
| link to this | reply
Probably not!
posted by
word.smith
on October 4, 2005 at 10:35 AM
| link to this | reply
MayB
It hadn't dawned on me that all tomes were written by men, MayB. A thought provoking blog.
posted by
johnmacnab
on October 4, 2005 at 5:14 AM
| link to this | reply
So does that mean that crime writers
have dark secrets just waiting to be explored and find their outlet in writing?
posted by
littlemspickles
on October 3, 2005 at 3:26 PM
| link to this | reply
It's like asking "would you rather have steak or chocolate?"
I want both, just at different times. Talking about sex gets attention. Entertainers seek attention. Also, I want to write about what I'm interested in; sex falls into that category. It's a huge part of who we are, it's just more concealed -- rightfully or wrongfully. I saw a movie about Jackson Pollock the other night and it was about his alcoholism. This is another taboo, like sex, and we want to know how our heroes deal with these things. We most want to see the parts that we're not normally allowed to. Those who do so without pretense are generally referred to as eccentric. Interesting post, my friend.
posted by
CunningLinguist
on October 3, 2005 at 2:31 PM
| link to this | reply
FactorFiction, some biographies are among the most expressive and creative writings out there. I think that it must help if you are utterly enthralled by the subject
posted by
Azur
on October 3, 2005 at 2:28 PM
| link to this | reply
I would not mind researching people and writing biographies.
People are much more interesting than the things I have penned 80 page documents about in my past technical life! (Well, many found my documents useful and as interesting as such things can get. But it is still not the most interesting thing to write!)
Anyone want to hire me to write your biography? I promise I will let you pick the pictures...
posted by
FactorFiction
on October 3, 2005 at 1:33 PM
| link to this | reply
Tapsel-T, it's not that I want to perpetuate a stereotype but I have to wonder. I suppose Gone With The Wind and The Thornbirds were big books
posted by
Azur
on October 3, 2005 at 1:17 PM
| link to this | reply
MerryAnne, I know it sounds like an excuse but it's true that wiives and mothers are always distracted. To be honest I try to keep at the writing and know that people think me selfish but I figure that this is it. I won' t be passing this way again
posted by
Azur
on October 3, 2005 at 1:15 PM
| link to this | reply
Dave Cryer, I have an image in my mind of what that comments might have been
posted by
Azur
on October 3, 2005 at 1:13 PM
| link to this | reply
Ca88andra, I think it depends on the subject and some are worthy of tomes
posted by
Azur
on October 3, 2005 at 1:12 PM
| link to this | reply
Tolkein wrote on book after an other
and see where it got him?
posted by
majroj
on October 3, 2005 at 12:06 PM
| link to this | reply
MayB, I'm sure there must be some female tome writers but right now all I can think of are male. Funny, I had never thought about that before.
posted by
TAPS.
on October 3, 2005 at 9:39 AM
| link to this | reply
I never thought of it that way MayB
but maybe you are right. Certainly I will never have a great body of work as long as I am a wife and mother, I will just have to do the best I can.
posted by
MerryAnne
on October 3, 2005 at 9:05 AM
| link to this | reply
Take care
posted by
_Symphony_
on October 3, 2005 at 7:23 AM
| link to this | reply
I just deleted my comment as all it did was to prove half of what you were saying. I need to work on my commenting just lately. On the greater question of volume of work, tome will tell.
posted by
_dave_says_ack_
on October 3, 2005 at 7:10 AM
| link to this | reply
Writing biographies, or tomes of any kind, has never been one of my goals. To me it just seems boring, to research, write and sometimes to read. So saying, I have enjoyed reading many biographies, but they have never been overly lengthy and there has always been a "hook" for me. At one point I only read the biographies of successful women. However, if your goal is to write something like that, then I say go for it - baby steps and it will get done.
posted by
Ca88andra
on October 3, 2005 at 4:27 AM
| link to this | reply
Marshallengraved, I believe in my skills but wish I go to that point earlier
posted by
Azur
on October 3, 2005 at 2:53 AM
| link to this | reply
any writer...
has the potential to make it big...you gotta believe in your skills....
posted by
Marshallengraved
on October 3, 2005 at 2:43 AM
| link to this | reply
Talion, I have to add I think my comment about appearances came out worse than was intended. I have noticed that lately many novelists and writers are also very attractive. I wonder if achievement and status compensates when it comes to attracting people.
posted by
Azur
on October 3, 2005 at 12:59 AM
| link to this | reply
groupies???
although i'm sure my wife would not appreciate it too much if i had groupies. It is my dream to be a successful writer as well. I wish the best of luck to both of you. Never give up. God Bless.
posted by
CB_Andrews
on October 2, 2005 at 10:28 PM
| link to this | reply
groupies???
.....i write. lol
posted by
CB_Andrews
on October 2, 2005 at 10:23 PM
| link to this | reply
Talion, I know what you mean. I'm sure this guy has his groupies too although it must be difficult for people whose physical appearance does not match their wonderful gifts as a writer.
Like Majroj said earlier, I know it is a matter of putting one word after the other. I don't doubt I can write a book or three, that is my plan. However, I can see that I cannot do something on a grand scale.
posted by
Azur
on October 2, 2005 at 10:12 PM
| link to this | reply
Hemlocker, he was thought-provoking and I wanted to pass that on here.
posted by
Azur
on October 2, 2005 at 10:08 PM
| link to this | reply
Offbeats, I don't think he compromises his talent level but I think he uses his intelligence and success to garner attention. I agree that intelligence counts for a lot BUT cannot be considered to the conclusion of all else
posted by
Azur
on October 2, 2005 at 10:07 PM
| link to this | reply
Have you ever considered that writers have groupies too. Not to the extent of rock stars of course, but I'm sure there are plenty of women who would give John Grisham a go simply because he's John Grisham.
I too struggle with the idea of writing a novel. The thought of it is too big, too uncontrollable. I finally figured out that I could tackle the whole by breaking it up in small, easily manageable portions. It's like going to a buffet and seeing countless dishes you want to try, but they all won't fit on one plate. I don't fret about cramming all I can at one time. I get a little bit of this, a little bit of that, and when I'm done, I go back for more. Before I know it, I'm full and my appetite is sated, and I've tried all I wanted. Piecemeal, so to speak. So far it works perfectly.
posted by
Talion
on October 2, 2005 at 9:54 PM
| link to this | reply
MayB--
I think you might have let this guy's "madness" infect you a little.
Hemlocker
posted by
Hemlocker
on October 2, 2005 at 9:39 PM
| link to this | reply
Dr. Kinsey, I presume??? lol
posted by
UsualSuspect
on October 2, 2005 at 7:54 PM
| link to this | reply
MayB
As to your question, and as a woman, I would wonder why compromise his talent level with sex? Yes, to seduction of his audience, but seduction can be done in many ways w/o sex. Intelligence is a form of seduction that works just as well. Sometimes people want to "shock and awe" you though!
posted by
Offy
on October 2, 2005 at 7:52 PM
| link to this | reply
Well of course it was a pick-up line .
He wanted to seduce us into buying his book. What was interesting was that he stopped at nothing to get his story and clearly sought as much sex as possible along the way.
Probably normal!
posted by
Azur
on October 2, 2005 at 7:07 PM
| link to this | reply
I dunno about you, but big works are one word after another.
The trick is don't give up.
Given time, it will be "great", as in ponderous. But will it be good, popular, profitable, memorable, or a tome for the ages?
Maybe.
But equating literary output to sexual pursuit sounds lke a pickup line at a symposium.
posted by
majroj
on October 2, 2005 at 7:04 PM
| link to this | reply