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I am not in a position to actively add to this, Beach.

I struggle with this myself. While I may give my best here, for some reason, I never feel as if I am. I guess the medium in which it is presented has a lot to do with this for me. For me, this always feels more like a freewriting experience. Takes me back mentally to that. I would never even submit some of my freewriting, without a lot of work put into it after the initial freewrite. When I'm here, that feeling just seems to stay with me and even after all this time, I can't seem to shake this. Great discussion here.

posted by KlaraRoberts on January 8, 2005 at 9:22 AM | link to this | reply

Amen!

Valid points.  I write here mainly just to keep writing every day or nearly every day.  And, like you, what I post here is not something I'd send out to serious publications.  Though, also like you (I'm guessing) the writing I do on Blogit does sometimes spark a more serious and more professional piece later on.

There's only one piece I've ever written that I rarely share with anyone, and that is a piece that is going into a book sometime in the future.  Because I've already agreed to having it in the book, I don't want it to be posted anywhere else.

posted by Jemmie211 on January 8, 2005 at 1:54 AM | link to this | reply

Interesting. I always try to write my best, if its here or at work or something I would eventually like published.

posted by Ca88andra on January 8, 2005 at 1:15 AM | link to this | reply

Beach, certainly blogging posts are less formal than something you would be trying to sell outside. I do disagree with Untold...my posts CAN and often ARE not of the same quality that I would put towards something that has a much greater reward. That isn't to say that I slop something together with bad grammar, poor spelling, etc. I am a perfectionist after all. But as for writing the posts that require a great deal of time, thought and effort, why would it make sense to do that...for a few pennies and clicks? When I do that, invariably only a handful of people read my post, and then I feel like I cheated myself out of that time that could have been better spent doing something else.

posted by Julia. on January 7, 2005 at 10:55 PM | link to this | reply

I have no real comment on this . . .

because I agree with it in full. The only reason you're reading this now is so you know I've looked at it. Talion is right on the money.

posted by Zachary.N.Miles on January 7, 2005 at 10:37 PM | link to this | reply

UntoldOne

I don't buy it when I hear that. It should be an in-built function to applythe same high standards across the board

posted by beachbelle on January 7, 2005 at 8:02 PM | link to this | reply

beachbelle . . .

Sage words indeed.

   I've too wondered about claims from bloggers who maintain their "real" writing is superior to their posts.  I don't get it.  How can you not want to write in top form, no matter the venue? 

posted by UntoldOne on January 7, 2005 at 7:33 PM | link to this | reply

Beach, incisive and insightful, even thoughtful.

posted by ARGUS on January 7, 2005 at 7:19 PM | link to this | reply

Good points

What I write here usually comes form some thought that turns into a flow once I start putting it down. It may wonder around sometimes or may depart to a totally different path than the original idea. It may also generate a thought for another blog. After all this is what writing is all about. The developing of thoughts and ideas. I don't polish what I write here, but I do try to make it good.

posted by Moondawg on January 7, 2005 at 6:47 PM | link to this | reply

beachbelle, it is also ironic that my chosen profession requires writing

I write police reports on a regular basis, and I pride myself on my articulation and completeness.  You would be appalled at some of the reports that are written.  I don't know if you saw the Prosecutor's Intake Complaint that I posted the other day?  Well, some officers' reports are not that much better.

Probably part of the reason I have not been in more trouble on this job is the quality of my work.

But ironically, I do get paid to write, and paperwork, writing reports, is one of the primary elements of my job.

 

posted by WHAMENATOR on January 7, 2005 at 4:15 PM | link to this | reply

beachbelle

I consider what you do here a help for would be writers like I hope to be. Thank you.
 

posted by Justi on January 7, 2005 at 4:09 PM | link to this | reply

beachebelle, thank you for those words,

because I always write from my heart, except when I am being cheeky.

posted by WHAMENATOR on January 7, 2005 at 4:08 PM | link to this | reply

Whammie

I applaud your wisdom in not majoring in journalism. More should do the same. I think I can feel a post coming on about this. Thanks.

Your heart shines through in your words

posted by beachbelle on January 7, 2005 at 4:03 PM | link to this | reply

Beachbelle, I know this may sound like convoluted logic, but

I love writing and it is connected directly to my soul, which is why so much of myself is displayed in everything I write.  When I went to college, I opted not to major in Journalism, because I did not want to risk turning something I loved into something I hated, because I had to do it.

I have never really genuinely thought about trying to get paid for my writing, but if I ever do, I suppose I have a wealth of archives in these Blogit files, especially my cop stories.

posted by WHAMENATOR on January 7, 2005 at 3:59 PM | link to this | reply

Hi Beach, it's difficult for me to look at my writings as being "better" or "best" because when I write things I am not thinking in that aspect.  MOSTLY, now there are a few things that I write and actually TRY to formulate some sort of a compositional presentation but that usually peters out about half-way through and then I'm over it until the next time.  That is definately why I like blogging as opposed to trying to make something (financial) from my things.  I find it difficult to attach a worth to my writings as I feel most of it is worthless to everyone but me.  I think I'll end up sticking it out in the dental field!  lol!

posted by Kelli on January 7, 2005 at 3:26 PM | link to this | reply

Beach, I think we should put our best into blogit. Sure, some of

our stuff is off the cuff, but that doesn't mean it can't be written in the best way...

posted by void-is on January 7, 2005 at 2:48 PM | link to this | reply

I have had the experience

as you know Beach, that some of my writing here has been good enough to send out. My confidence is not very high, but when I get a good response I've done something about it. The post I did recently I submitted nearly as is (with a few monir edits) and met with some success. I like being able to try out an idea here to see if it flys.

posted by MerryAnne on January 7, 2005 at 2:42 PM | link to this | reply

take care beachbelle

posted by _Symphony_ on January 7, 2005 at 2:31 PM | link to this | reply