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Carl Peter... Thanks so much!
Maybe I will polish it up some more and tie it together with a few other remarks, and offer it somewhere.
Carpe carp... 'seize the fish'
Carpe tunnel... 'take shelter!'
posted by
Ciel
on February 1, 2009 at 12:43 PM
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Goodwhisky,
critique is part of editing, though not all of it. And the first steps are always with the author: Do some careful re-read and correct everything you notice before you post. Or after: I often find goofs in my stuff after posting, and go back through 'edit' to fix them. Funny how having it on the 'read' page seems to give just enough distance to see the errors better!
Every writer should have some idea of The Rules, even if it is to break them. So I suggest looking up or even googling 'rules punctuation' and 'rules grammar' for instance, and see what that turns up. (I have issues with commas, myself: when and where to use them, or not.) The more familiar they become to you, the more you will internalize them, and not even need to think about them very often.
Reading your latest piece, I saw a lot of inconsistancy in which rules you break, and when--which suggests to me you are writing as you think, or speak. You can capture that tone, but more evenly, by being more selective and regular in how you make your own rules.
The story itself engages the emotions and curiosity, and it speaks through your personal voice of a universal experience, so it has meaning, too. In my opinion it is well-worth polishing-up.
posted by
Ciel
on February 1, 2009 at 12:38 PM
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TAPS, actually,
ths has been so long in the works, I did, in fact, do my own editing. Many, many times! Some thought went into the organization of it, and choices were made--feedback is most welcome, especially if you might have organized it differently!
Like--why is Sauron next to Gandalf and Galadriel instead of among the more monstrous, dark and scary? My reasoning was that he was originally a Maia, just as Gandalf was. But then so were balrogs... (wait, that poem didn't make it in as it was not entirely written by me... ) It ended up more or less organized by race and kind, rather than by light and dark.
Anyway, I am so glad you like it! Delighted that you are delighted! Thank you so, so much for all your kind words here and elsewhere!
posted by
Ciel
on February 1, 2009 at 12:14 PM
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Re: Re: Naut, you do communicate your messages in clear,
From one carper to another - LOL, very clever...
posted by
Nautikos
on February 1, 2009 at 9:10 AM
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This is great information...Thank you!
posted by
Wigopa_
on January 31, 2009 at 8:25 PM
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Re: Naut, you do communicate your messages in clear,
"Caaaarrpe... Caaaaaarrpe......Carpe Diem"
Sorry, couldn't resist.
An editor is, in many ways, a teacher. And a good editor is like a good teacher, drawing out the better phrase, the clearer expression, the more effective exposition without writing it.
Yours is a fine post that would make the basis for a very useful article.
Take care,
Carl Peter
posted by
cpklapper
on January 31, 2009 at 7:30 AM
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With all that i would assume you are a good editor, so may i please ask for your honest comments on any of my writing that you are moved to read.
posted by
goodwhisky
on January 31, 2009 at 1:54 AM
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Ciel, I don't know who was your editor for
Lays of Middle Earth, but it is a true delight, exquisite. From the special paper on which it is printed, to the wonderful, full size photo cover, to the words themselves, it is quite captivating. It is a joyful thing that keeps one smiling, and is something I will enjoy reading over and over again.
posted by
TAPS.
on January 30, 2009 at 8:17 PM
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Naut, you do communicate your messages in clear,
comprehensible form, and that is beyond many a kid with a head full of notions who can't put one of them into sensible words. I'm sure you know exactly what I mean!
The difference between writing creatively and writing analytically, just like drawing realistic vs stick figure pictures, has to do with which side of the brain/mind is driving. Ever see Dead Poets Society ? There is a scene in that movie that makes me weep: when the prof gets the kid with no poetry in him, to let his poetry burst forth! Oh, for every kid to have, to have had a teacher like that!
posted by
Ciel
on January 30, 2009 at 5:43 PM
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Ciel
I love your insights, and particularly your characterization of the kid with "a head full of images, but who can't seem to draw anything but stick figures.." You have described me to a 'T'...I know I can write 'analytical' stuff, but beyond that, forget it...
posted by
Nautikos
on January 30, 2009 at 3:45 PM
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