I'm not bashing, but . . .

No.

Maria wrote:

Quote :

My answer was that first of all I wrote for me. (That's still the main reason I write.) If I am not pleased with something I have written, the odds are slim that you will ever see it. Then I write for others, so they can understand me better by sharing my thoughts and ideas, and hopefully so that they can enjoy my work.

Maria,

I like that. Early in my teaching career I attended a workshop at Rice University in Houston. One of the things I learned there was the difference between "Writer-based writing" and "Reader-based writing." Your statement is an excellent summation of a three-hour session.

Ann

Speaking of writing for oneself, I am reading over a novel written years ago that I have queried and am "perfecting." This is downright "spooky" as it is exactly how I maneuvered when I couldn't walk. The man in this story had been injured and had a disabled hip. Maybe somewhere in our psyches we prepare.

"He got up and leaned on the couch, then on the doorframe, and then on the table inside the door to the addition, on to the couch there and to the bathroom where he shut the door. . .

Charlie returned to the bedroom, working his way slowly along the dresser, making a final leap for the bed."

Carol

Marie,

I know the feeling. I have a story that floats around the web and appears on inspirational websites. Sometimes I am "anonymous." But on one website there are seven pages of comments on the story, and when I get depressed sometimes I go there and know my writing has meant something to someone.

And I continually say to myself, "Did I really write that?"

Carol

That might be a good topic for a thread" "Hey, I wrote that. Wow!"


We could post our really good snippets there every time we get discouraged by our "sh**ty first drafts," as Anne Lamott called them in Bird by Bird.

Ann

Anne Lamott is one of my favorite writers.

That sounds like a great idea, those snippets when we say, "Wow! That's it."

Carol

Carol, you described me perfectly as I move from place to place. The only thing you left out was stubbing my toe along the way.

Yep, Dick, I stubbed my toe a few times. The final leap was the most difficult. And then I also knocked pictures off the wall while moving along the wall before getting to the dresser.

Ah, the things we do. I couldn't pick things up well and when doing the wash used a grabber. It looked like I was handling hazardous materials rather than shirts and sox. Now I can do wash without the grabber, but if I drop a sock the grabber has to pick it up.

Carol

deleted by merri

I keep one in the bathroom because that seems to be the place I drop things the most: brush, comb, lipstick, pills, etc.

I have three. They were my mother's and I inherited them. I can pick up almost anything but paper and coins. They are great when things fall behind one's desk. Some have magnets for help with metal objects.

Oh, the things we learn.

Carol

Please...

There is no need to be frightened. I had no idea some of you would find my posting here "scary."

All you need to do is check out Writer Beware online. Our reputation for rectitude is exemplary. We are listed each year on the 100 Best Websites for writers, as determined by Writers Digest magazine.

We have never, ever, been accused of any wrongdoing, stalking, or any other type of unsocial online behavior.

Please relax, and chill. Check Writer Beware's reputation. Your fears will be assuaged.

I came here because I thought some former PA authors might want to get information about commercial publishing, getting real literary agents, etc.

I was wrong. I won't come back.

I hope that reassures you.

Best,

-Ann C. Crispin
Chair, Writer Beware
www dot writer beware dot com

Ann,

Did you read our posts? We are not afraid of you or AW. I have been to AW to check out publishers, etc.

I'm sorry we got off topic, and perhaps it was somewhat rude, but it wasn't because we are afraid. We are a group of good authors working on writing and getting information. Have some faith in us and we will have faith in you. That's how it works here.

Carol

Wups!

It seems I missed a bunch of posts. I wasn't navigating the site well at all!

I was reponding today to a very old post, and I didn't check the date.

I am sorry for screwing up like that, but put it down to my not being terribly computer adept.

Would the Moderator please remove the post I made earlier today?

Thank you!

Later!

-Ann C. Crispin

Hi Ann,

If you join, you can add a signature to your posts with links to Writer Beware. Also, you can add links in your posts -- the forum sofware does not allow links in guest posts (to stop spamming).

You will also be able to delete/edit your own posts. I can delete the last post you made, but we are very relaxed here about posts staying on topic. At first, members were used to being admonished by moderators telling them not to hijack threads but I explained that if we met face to face, we would not stay on topic so why should we on a message board.

Gradually, everyone realised that it could work to allow a thought to lead to another thought before someone decided to revert to the original topic of conversation.

You will find this place very relaxed and, although we disagree, we stay friends and respect one another. I'm sure we could all learn a great deal from you and would welcome your input.

I will look forward to reading your posts.

Ann, I visit Writer Beware frequently and hold it in high
respect. There's a ton of good information there, and I feel it can be
trusted. I may not agree 100% with everything I read, but I feel it is
offered in good faith.

Join us and jump into the conversations!

Ann, or whoever you are, I don't know if you are some mole trying to steer people away from you site or what, but you keep crashing in on things telling (almost ordering, really) people not be be afraid or intimiidated, which nobody is.

Then you pop up trying to get post deleted and saying you won't be back, then that you'll see us later.

Why not join up, be a mensch, or flake off? Sound OK?

Either way, how about not telling me how I feel and what I ought to do?

Sorry, Lin. I'm not a mensch, and don't know how to be one.

I'm just me.

I did take your advice and "join up." Hope that will be sufficient.

-Ann C. Crispin

Well, hey, welcome to honorary mensch-hood, Ann.

There is no greater honour:

http://www.jewishealing.com/theartofthemensch.html

Shelagh, what a great explanation of what "Mensch" means. I learn so much here. I had pretty much missed this thread I'm sorry to say. I wish I had known then...

When I started out, I knew nothing of 'P&E' or 'Writers Beware'. Now I know and am the better for the information. But if not for the path I chose I would not have this wonderful forum and so many gifted friends.

Hi, Zada!

A slight correction. It is "Writer Beware." NOT "Writers Beware."

Singular, not plural.

Sounds trivial, but it's a very important distinction, because when SFWA bought the domains www.writerbeware.org and www.writerbeware.com for our group, some scammy agents and publishers purchased www.writersbeware.com and use it to advertise their smarmy services.

Thanks for allowing me to post the correction. I hate to think how many writers have gone looking for us, only to get sucked into signing on with fake agents and publishers because they thought they were part of Writer Beware.

-Ann C. Crispin
Chair, Writer Beware

So only one writer can be ware at a time?
Can they choose hard or soft?


Just joshin, Ann. I appreciate having you among us.

Thank you for making the correction, Ann. I was uncertain of the correct one, and now you have given me some valuable information.

Mensch is also a German word. Yiddish is of German origin. "Yid" meaning "Jew." Dialects and usage helped to make it a separate language. Words take on different connotations depending on how they are used. That’s also true with words in English.

Mensch is most often used in a good, positive sense – meaning mankind, etc., however there are other usages as in the word “wow,” or ”blimey” (Brit' slang). In a derogatory sense, it can be used for the word “cow,” meaning slut.

I'm not bashing, but...

The one thing that irritates me above all the hype and way too many
posts on the subject is that danged company logo they have under their
name...

"We treat our authors the old-fashioned way - we pay them."

LOL