Comments on Does The Number Of Beans Matter More Than The Taste?

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That's great and a fully positive week for you it seems. From the Spa story and now about the Island, everything seem to run on a rolling skate.Congratulations.

posted by Flame-thrower on November 26, 2005 at 12:43 PM | link to this | reply

And Pat_B, the publication does want the story. I will have written two pieces without ever having been there Imagine what I could write if I actually went there

posted by Azur on November 26, 2005 at 12:38 PM | link to this | reply

Pat_B, I think you are on the money. I could do with a break

posted by Azur on November 26, 2005 at 12:37 PM | link to this | reply

MayB, wouldn't there always be fluctuations of "floorboard nails" no matter who wrote or read a piece?  This is why my fiction is so God's honest out-of-touch with reality, I can't imagine anyone ever perceiving it as a "studied" work...

posted by cmoe on November 26, 2005 at 9:44 AM | link to this | reply

beans?
Yes, we do have to be counters of beans. But your innate creative thinking is just the ticket for solving problems like the one you describe. For example, one of the geography teachers at the college takes photos of his vacation destinations -- the Greek islands, national parks across the country, etc. Then he gives one class lecture about the sights and food and people, etc. which means he can write off the entire cost of the vacation on his income taxes. Some of us who work the daily 9-5 or cover assignments as stringers have not learned to think like the rich, who finesse almost everything so it's a tax deduction.  Yes, it means you have to keep receipts, count a few more beans, and actually read the what's deductible sections of the tax codes if you can't afford a CPA. Which has been the long way 'round the bush to suggest this: vacation on the island and write it off a a business expense -- take pictures, get sidebar interviews, etc. and stretch your story into a depth report or serial. If it's not something your publication wants, what's to stop you from selling it to a travel magazine?  If nothing else, you'll have a nice trip. :)

posted by Pat_B on November 26, 2005 at 8:40 AM | link to this | reply

What makes the pearl of fine expeience fine is the oyster around.

If we didn't work most of the time (and I define work here as being paid to be/do somewhere/something we wouldn't otherwise), how could we stop for a bit and catch sight of beauty? It would be "Oh, yeah, another damn sunset".

 

The trick is to try to create or spare beauty in our work.

posted by majroj on November 25, 2005 at 10:00 PM | link to this | reply

or even inaccurate Timmy ...lol

posted by Azur on November 25, 2005 at 4:28 PM | link to this | reply

Nickie-Fleming, I like the sound of this island. I was thinking maybe that would be a good place to live and write though I better sort out this place first

posted by Azur on November 25, 2005 at 2:37 PM | link to this | reply

Timmy, it won't be innacurate, it will just be less descriptive

posted by Azur on November 25, 2005 at 2:36 PM | link to this | reply

Spitfire70, wow! thanks for that ;-)

posted by Azur on November 25, 2005 at 2:35 PM | link to this | reply

Wow, MayB!
I think this all sounds great. Even though you couldn't be there in person, I am more than positive readers will never know. You're too good.

posted by SpitFire70 on November 25, 2005 at 2:25 PM | link to this | reply

MayB, let's hope your dreams come true!

posted by Nickie-Fleming on November 25, 2005 at 2:10 PM | link to this | reply

Mayb
It's too bad that the bottom line means more that accuracy. The thought is probably "who's gonna know the difference?"

posted by TIMMYTALES on November 25, 2005 at 2:07 PM | link to this | reply

MayB

I just wrote an article about a place I haven't been to in twenty years - but I called someone who just returned and we compared notes so i knew what had changed and what was the same so I coul write it.  I would have loved to have gone again, but the travel would have been more that 10 times what I hope to make on the article.

too bad - I would love to learn to surf!

posted by MerryAnne on November 25, 2005 at 1:09 PM | link to this | reply