Comments on Some people are more equal than others when it comes to writing.

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Terpgirl, why I write, I just love it.
It is in my blood, it is all or nothing with me and I am passionate about words and writing in general. I could not put out the effort if I did not like doing it in the first place. I have got to the point when I can spot weaknesses in other people's writing and hopefully my own, without meaning to do it. It is getting annoying, I read some poetry and I instantly spot the flaws, or what I think are weaknesses, and I wonder if it is my like and dislike coming into play, or can I trust my own judgment here?
The feedback here is of limited value since criticisms are not really welcome, but I try and make the most of it anyway. I find myself analysing everything I read and pick out the good parts and deconstruct a whole text. It must be the "teacher" in me doing this. Thank you for your valuable comments. I don't want to settle for mediocrity but I am a bit inclined to throw things on the page and hope for the best. I know it takes effort but I am getting there....or wherever that takes me.

posted by marieclaire66 on October 3, 2006 at 7:36 PM | link to this | reply

Marie, I agree and I don't agree

You're not a frog with this. You started one place, and you're growing because you keep putting it out there, trying, getting feedback and making use of that feedback. You're way ahead of the game. (Editors can spot people who fancy themselves writers and those who keep chipping away at the ice block to get that words out. It makes all the difference in success and failure.)

I've said over and over that you can't teach a person to write, outside of mechanics. Well, you have a style, so it's all about learning how to manipualte it and work the mechanics. You can and will do that. Don't resign yourself to mediocrity. I've seen great writers put out some dogs, and some unknowns have that one moment of greatness. 

Then there is the whole side issue of why you do it.  If it brings you pleasure, then that is reason enough.

posted by terpgirl30 on October 3, 2006 at 4:21 PM | link to this | reply

marie
You write very well like all poets do. Yes, I think comparing oneself with someone superior does work in one's own improved style. I keep doing that all the time, for who I admire.

posted by Bhaskar.ing on October 2, 2006 at 10:13 PM | link to this | reply

This little writing planet, I like that.

posted by Straightforward on September 23, 2006 at 8:18 PM | link to this | reply

I've done this for a living for decades, and the grammar/punctuation

part can ALWAYS be taught or somehow amended by a friend.  I totally agree with you that a person either has IT or he doesn't.  You can't teach a person how to be interesting, in my opinions.

One of the writers I used at my newspaper had a terrible time with grammar/spelling, but she could tell stories like no other.  I could fix her mistakes, but I couldn't climb into her mind to get those special "turns of phrases" she came up with that makes her the writer she is. 

It has been my experience that people trained very formally in English composition aren't good writers.  They are technically correct...but they don't hold your interest.  You, the reader, will overlook a mistake here and there, but if it's boring, you'll stop reading right away.

posted by terpgirl30 on September 23, 2006 at 1:10 PM | link to this | reply

marie
I used to  devour anything that was written well. I simply don't have time to read like that anymore.

posted by avant-garde on September 22, 2006 at 3:16 AM | link to this | reply

I think fascinated sounds better...let's leave the mistake just for fun!

posted by marieclaire66 on September 22, 2006 at 1:01 AM | link to this | reply

go away!
well, fascinating or fascinated, or may be both.

posted by marieclaire66 on September 21, 2006 at 8:23 PM | link to this | reply

Marie-Claire--- "Fascinated creatures" live here? Perhaps. But also
"fascinating."

posted by Jazwolf on September 21, 2006 at 7:48 PM | link to this | reply

marieclaire66, c'est bon vos ecrire!

posted by kingmi on September 21, 2006 at 6:58 PM | link to this | reply