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I think that writing is a hard topic to write about.
posted by
_dave_says_ack_
on November 7, 2005 at 9:47 AM
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BlancheDubois, right again even if that means "we" are misunderstood at times
posted by
Azur
on November 5, 2005 at 6:03 PM
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btw, that was the "royal we". I think it's gone out of style, along with white patent leather shoes, hats and funny handbags. sheesh, what was I thinking.
posted by
Blanche.
on November 5, 2005 at 5:54 PM
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Mayb,
If we let the opinions of every person who cares to comment determine our actions, then it only leads to paralysis. I can only do the best I can with the information I have.
posted by
Blanche.
on November 5, 2005 at 5:49 PM
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BlancheDubois, I like to do the right thing but you know how it is - what's OK with one person is a grave error in someone else's eyes
posted by
Azur
on November 5, 2005 at 5:47 PM
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Mayb,
I just checked back here. I do think your blog is a little of both, writing and journal. Categories become blurred, but who cares?
posted by
Blanche.
on November 5, 2005 at 5:39 PM
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MayB, I hope that you do not move on. I depend on you being here.
posted by
TAPS.
on November 5, 2005 at 6:45 AM
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Ariel70, I love your calling card
I have seen the view from almost the top of the two turrets on the right
posted by
Azur
on November 5, 2005 at 2:29 AM
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MayB
Just cruisin' by in my PJs. The leave 'cos they get ignored, like so many others do
posted by
ariel70
on November 5, 2005 at 12:23 AM
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err.. make that blanchedubois
posted by
Azur
on November 4, 2005 at 5:45 PM
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BlanceDubois, hi. I couldn't be scholarly if I tried and IMHO.........
scholarly writers take themselves too seriously for my tastes. Wordwizard and others knew they had a loyal if small readership and I guess only an individual can determine how they should spend their time. I write in this topic because I love it and I try to recount honestly how it is for me. I have thought about moving into journal but then the next day writing seems right so I just left it -- I have always thought of my posts of a little of both.
posted by
Azur
on November 4, 2005 at 5:44 PM
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Mayb,
Like others, I don't feel scholarly or qualified enough to be writing on the topic of writing. I find writing in the journal section, freehand, to be more spontaneous. I'm not sure what happened to WordWizard or the others, perhaps the lack of feedback caused them to leave or time constraints.
posted by
Blanche.
on November 4, 2005 at 5:12 PM
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Renigade3, I understand.
The beauty of it here is that we don't have to live up anything. Anyone can kick ideas around. It is probably the same in a lot of categories that good people have moved on
posted by
Azur
on November 4, 2005 at 5:00 PM
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Blackcat, it's true that one or two writers write about other stuff
posted by
Azur
on November 4, 2005 at 4:57 PM
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it could also be that writers are interested in writing about topics other
than writing? It's quite a creative bunch here...
posted by
-blackcat
on November 4, 2005 at 4:00 PM
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MayB--Maybe (lol), but it could also be that not many of us feel
comfortable enough to write on writing. I for one would feel too inadequate to even feel I could provide any valuable information. Just an idea...
posted by
Renigade
on November 4, 2005 at 3:55 PM
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MayB, it seems like that category underlines the distinction between writing and blogging. After all, singers don't sing songs about how to sing, do they? ARGUS
posted by
ARGUS
on November 4, 2005 at 3:26 PM
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CarolynMoe, I just wish you'd dive in and write again - write anything
posted by
Azur
on November 4, 2005 at 12:18 PM
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word.smith, yes I think that we are in the minority but that's OK but as I said in the post it would be nice if it was busier there
posted by
Azur
on November 4, 2005 at 12:17 PM
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RachelAnna, I think that it offers an outlet to vent and while I like to read thoughts and experiences by others in the same field, I also enjoy watching people's progress. There have been a few people starting out as freelance writers who have plotted their career through their blogs and it's great to see it all unfold before them.
posted by
Azur
on November 4, 2005 at 12:15 PM
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BTW, anyone is entitled to give an opinion about posts and topics
free speech and all that. I know some people are unjustly ridiculed. I've experienced it myself occasionally when my opinions are hyped up and turned into something they're not.
posted by
Azur
on November 4, 2005 at 12:10 PM
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Masky, I read "on writing" above other categories but not exclusively
I mentioned in a comment earlier that I like journal posts and I should add I like humor too. As I said there is not enough in "on writing" to sustain one.
I find the "water cooler" stuff is everywhere in life. For me, this is just a place to express and exchange thoughts about writing and related stuff without having to put the time into a course. If I was in a writing course as you are I'd probably want a break too.
posted by
Azur
on November 4, 2005 at 11:45 AM
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MayB...
I read so many "Writing Books" and am in several writing courses as we speak. That's why I don't visit the ON WRITING category very often. I prefer the "water cooler" topics as it is a nice break from what I read and what I participate in in my personal life. Venture out your category. Play. Though some of them water cooler writers are unjustly ridiculed for their topics and headlines, you're bound to find someone who tickles your funny bone or provokes inspiration! JMO.
posted by
Masky
on November 4, 2005 at 9:24 AM
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MayBe, I'm not sure where I'd "dive in" to a writng blog so far as writing one... maybe just doing a "shaked-up, blended" mix up of the various stuff I've both read on writing, what's going on with me, and how it is that I come up with stuff to write... the non-fiction from the Bible, and the fiction from my crazy-little whacked out head.
posted by
cmoe
on November 4, 2005 at 7:53 AM
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Hmm...
Good question. I've always stayed away from the writing blogs because I didn't feel like I had anything to offer, so I certainly never felt qualified to write one! Now, I just don't have the time. Perhaps the reason that there is such a high turn over is because these are the people that are working and they feel their efforts could be put to better use elsewhere? I dunno...
posted by
RachelAnna
on November 4, 2005 at 7:20 AM
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MayB,
I have noticed that the posts in the On Writing category are done every so often and only about 10-15 people write regularly. It's kind of like the fiction section. Hardly anybody ever takes the time to read the stuff that is posted there.
Personally, I enjoy writing about the discoveries I make. I like that each day I am broadening my horizons and that there is a place where I can put my thoughts down... I also like hearing other people's thoughts on the subject of writing.
posted by
word.smith
on November 4, 2005 at 6:42 AM
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Marshallengraved, I don't care so much about the other sections or tabloids or the numbers - they go up and down. To see any change to those conditions does not lie changing all of those people's behaviors and habits but in exogenous forces - more writers, more diversity and powerful other influences. Focus on those things and the rest doesn't matter.
posted by
Azur
on November 4, 2005 at 4:05 AM
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it would be better...
if such section developped instead of this stupid "opinion" section that is all about blogit gossips..unfortunately, this is the one that has the more success...looks like most ppl don't give a shit about your writing talents, all they wanna read are some stupid gossips...that's one reason why tabloids sell so well...
posted by
Marshallengraved
on November 4, 2005 at 3:15 AM
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I wasn't really thinking of the promotion aspect so much as work which delves into writing today - language, styles of wrtiting, publishing, discussions about particular writers
posted by
Azur
on November 4, 2005 at 3:11 AM
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I don't notice it so much in other topics because I am more focused on writing posts -- except I do notice there are always loads of good journal posts for example -- but on writing there are only ever a handful at any time. I sometimes see blogs in other categories which could sit well in "on writing"
posted by
Azur
on November 4, 2005 at 3:08 AM
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MayB, I was playing a bit with my comment...there are awesome writing
magazines and sites that promote writing written by writers...it just seems those who come to Blogit and write about writing don't stay long, but then again, that can be said about other topics around here.
posted by
Ariala
on November 4, 2005 at 3:04 AM
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Ariala, on reflection I think some of the best writers around write about writing - as can be seen in any edition of some of the leading literary publications and supplements as well as the books about writing by top novelists. Other writers perhaps find that their work takes all their writing time. I thing writing on writing is still writing. I mean what else can it be?
Teaching is not quite the same thing. Like any job, some people teach because they don't know what else to do but for many it's a vocation and for some teaching is an opportunity for experienced people to put something back into their field. In fact I think that it would be the minority of teachers who have no life experience.
posted by
Azur
on November 4, 2005 at 2:58 AM
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Writersjourney, I agree that "You can't do it [write about writing] for long without exploring ideas and becoming philosophical about it, making connections to other areas of your life."
There is no shame in it from my point of view either. I lament that some of the people who like to write about these things have moved on.
posted by
Azur
on November 4, 2005 at 2:39 AM
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No Shame In Writing About Writing
I think there should be no shame in writing about writing. Writing can be an interesting topic, like any other topic. If one is writing about writing, one is still writing. You can't do it for long without exploring ideas and becoming philosophical about it, making connections to other areas of your life. I also think that we should not feel guilty about reading about writing. Again, different people enjoy reading about different things, and reading about writing can take your mind to very interesting mental spaces.
Writing about writing and reading about writing may be good starting points, and they may be good points to return to when one needs to refresh one's juices. Ultimately, they may prove to be good places to end up too.
By the way, I think I would feel worse about always reading (no matter what the subject matter is) and never writing, than I would about always writing about writing and never writing about anything else.
posted by
writersjourney
on November 4, 2005 at 1:00 AM
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Blogging On Blogging
I think all the Blogging On Blogging is strange.
But since the Art Therapists have started Blogging together I can see why a few words need to be said.
It is just strange because instead of Blogging about Blogging we could be Blogging?
Jo
posted by
brisbane_artist
on November 4, 2005 at 12:19 AM
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MayB
You SURE ARE in the "On Writing" category!! LOL I never KNEW that!!
posted by
Joe_Love
on November 3, 2005 at 10:09 PM
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Joe Love, thanks for make an exception in stopping by
posted by
Azur
on November 3, 2005 at 9:59 PM
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Talion, that blog idea sounds like a lot of work - too scholarly by far. I think that it is an odd category because it scares some people off but the people who spend their lives writing like to hang out with others like them. Of course it doesn't go with the territory because writing is so solitary
posted by
Azur
on November 3, 2005 at 9:58 PM
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Lensman, it's easy to get into a rut. I try not to and indeed because the writing section is not heavily populated I have to get out about on the site. I do lament that some of the writer's writers have left as I really enjoyed them
posted by
Azur
on November 3, 2005 at 9:55 PM
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I have to admit, out of all the categories
on Blogit, the On Writing section is probably the one category I would be least likely to visit.
posted by
Joe_Love
on November 3, 2005 at 9:53 PM
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MayB
The credibility gap deters me. The extent of my writing outside of school and work has been here, and there's already a category for blogging. We certainly don't need any more on that subject.
However, I seriously considered a blog in the On Writing category. Instead of speaking about writing in general, I planned to discuss writing my ongoing work posted in the Fiction category. Each daily post would correspond with the one posted in fiction, covering such subjects as my inspiration, the character development, plot structure, etc. I envisioned it as the literary equivalent of the special features on a DVD. I soon realized I wouldn't have the time to fully devote to it, so that idea was placed on the back burner.
posted by
Talion
on November 3, 2005 at 9:16 PM
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MayB
Well, now you've got me thinking. I've gotten into a sort of rut here on Blogit, where, due to my work, etc., I know I have only certain bits of time when I can sneak into Blogit for reading and commenting, so I click through my habitual rounds. I should start exploring a little further. I do recall a long time ago reading WordWizard and finding her posts interesting and useful. Ariala also comes up with interesting stuff on writing, as well as tips on marketing, etc. And you obviously know your stuff, I can tell, after reading comments you've left me. Anyway, I should become more adventurous in my travels....
posted by
Lensman
on November 3, 2005 at 9:02 PM
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Ariala, I think here it has more to do with it getting in the way of.......
writing assignments.
posted by
Azur
on November 3, 2005 at 8:53 PM
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Although writing about writing is no different to writing about anything
posted by
Azur
on November 3, 2005 at 8:50 PM
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MayB, exactly.
posted by
Ariala
on November 3, 2005 at 8:46 PM
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The best of the writers on writing live it and that's why they're so good
posted by
Azur
on November 3, 2005 at 8:45 PM
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Maybe it's like people who teach various subjects, but have no real
life experience...writers who write on writing are usually too busy writing to write about it.
posted by
Ariala
on November 3, 2005 at 8:39 PM
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