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It's true, Horus. One does get closer to the top if one puts one of the blog words or Ariala in the title.
posted by
TAPS.
on June 28, 2005 at 8:42 PM
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Horus
I'm lucky about the writing thing, I guess, in terms of self esteem. My mom raised us with the idea that we're no better than anyone, and no one is better than us. I talk to people in check-out lines, elevators. (In the lunch line today, I spent 10 minutes talking to a woman about my son growing up and leaving. She had great info. Had I not said anything, think what I would have missed.) I'm always amazed at the advice, information, etc. I get just because I was shooting the breeze with someone. Everyone has an opinion that is worthwhile. If it makes someone think---not change his mind necessarily---that's a great thing. It's how we all evolve.
Kim
posted by
terpgirl30
on June 28, 2005 at 10:00 AM
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terpgirl30
Thank you, for your articulated comment. It seems that we have something in common: a vision of Blogit. My posting wasn’t about being judgmental and you got it in the right way; nevertheless, one has to have a quite good esteem of him/herself to think that what he/she has to say is worth to be made public in writing. I appreciated also that you intend your writing as a service to the others. Thanks again.
posted by
Luxbring
on June 28, 2005 at 8:41 AM
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I enjoyed this.
Writers are also guilty of making sweeping statements (I did that line on purpose). The writers I've worked with over the years replace real numbers and facts with "some," "many" and "very." These are weak, and shouldn't make it into a writer's work unless the point is to be a bit vague.
I'm not a narcissist, although I agree, the unwritten part behind what I read in public places from "writers" certainly screams that. Real writers? I don't think so. I don't want to be found out. I don't care if people know my name. I can't do a chin up, and I wouldn't want me carrying a gun or trying to run a central IV line, so writing is my form of public service. It's not the thing I point at to say, "Look at me." In fact, I hate that end of it. Information sharing is the long and short of it for me.
I've seen egotists in fields all over; it just happens that writing is much more visible. And the ones who want attention are the ones who will be focusing on themselves rather than on what they write. (Geraldo, for example. There was/is a great reporter underneath all of that.)
I've written pretty much what you've written a bunch of times for the same reasons. I'm thinking you've come to the same conclusions: you are here for your own reasons, and that's good enough for you. I haven't been disappointed. Like you, so much of this is interesting given my print background and rather shy nature. Just by what you've written, I think you can live with those mixed things here. I think you will also be able to provide those with like minds. For us, I think this Blogit thing will be a matter of: "Keep your eyes on your own paper." :) The minute we try to make sense, we will question our own sanity. You're good, and you're not alone. Just keep doing it the way you're doing it. They'll read, as long as you have something worth saying.
Unlike the narcissists you spoke of---real writers have a different impetus. Fitzgerald said something to the effect that: "Writers don't write because they have to. They write because they have something to say." That hits it for me. When I don't, I stop.
Thoughtful post.
Kim
posted by
terpgirl30
on June 28, 2005 at 4:39 AM
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Yeah, why not?
posted by
Luxbring
on June 27, 2005 at 10:05 AM
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I guess I am here to recor some memories
rant a little and have fun writing cause that's what I enjoy doing. Who knows someday I may even break even.
posted by
Whacky
on June 27, 2005 at 1:53 AM
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