Does 'too much' study ruin our writing?

I've missed a few of them too, but as I said in JoElle's post, I get a lot more done when I stay away.

I enjoy the association with other writers, and I especially love forums because we can post and answer when it's convenient to us. That makes it perfect for writers.

And we've sure hijacked Malcolm's thread, haven't we? But it's been fun - and informative.

Well, hell, Bren, I thought you'd been after me, but I don't have, or wear, a supporter.

But I support people who do. Or I would, if I knew any.

Alas, after seeing how many people didn't miss me when I wasn't posting a week or so ago, I realize that I don't have any supporters.

Never mind, Brenda.

If you need uplifting, Don, I have some good, strong supporters. Never tempted to burn them; I need the support!

Of course, I'm talking about bridges. What did you think I meant?

That is too what I was speaking upon also.

Love your English, Don.

Thankin ye very much, it is that I am ma'am.

When you talk about bridges, well, I know a bridge that could make you cry. It used to be a wooden bridge until the government came to look at it. Being a dirt road bridge, it let it's big nails look like they might pop out at any time! If it had only know to suck it up!

All the people on the road came and hammered a nail now an then and tried to show the bridge not all was lost, but it was not one bit of use. That bridge felt old.

No amount of fish flowing in the water under it could change it's attitude. It just kept right on looking rickety and trashy and let the weeds grow up and clog it's heart.

After a while, a crew came and ripped out the nce old wooden bridge and put signs fore and aft about no passage until the new concrete bridge was done.

The weeds grew up and clogged the heart of the stream under the new concrete bridge. The fish went down the way, and no body looks at the water that flows under the new bridge. The deer know not to go there.

Love,
Betty

That's a heartbreaker, Betty. Bridges used to be beautiful, but the ones here in So CA are concrete with concrete under them. I have yet to see a trickle of water. Progress isn't all it's cracked up to be, is it?

I’m sure the ‘going after someone’ was referring to Lane’s thread about writing reviews. Posts with legitimate information are great, but he made it sound as if the lengthy newspaper reviews were the only ones with merit. I challenged that thought. He and Alice left, supposedly, or at least they no longer post under their own names.

And Don, you and I have argued several times over the years and we still remain on speaking terms. Dick's the one I'm constantly 'after,' although I don't know what I'd do with such a cantankerous ol' codger if I caught him.

Brenda,

I wanted to ask this question of Lane, but felt a little intimidated. He is very knowledgeable, and inspired a lot of questions, but I was afraid they were in an unprofessional category, because I don't know too much in that category, not even enough to really know the questions.

How do reviewers get paid? Someone isn't going to be a professional reviewer, take the time to read a book, write a review and not get paid. What I think is that those who write long reviews submit them to newspapers and magazines and get paid by the publishers of those works.

Is this correct? Is there another way for them to be paid for their professional expertise?

I know you aren't after me. I'm kind of a Okay, sometimes I can get riled up about something.

I'm still laughing, Carol. You're safe - at least for now.

I've never written book reviews for the newspaper, but I assume they're like my restaurant reviews - I'm paid by my newspaper. Some writers are on salary, others write on a freelance basis, which means a writer is paid for the individual article.

I'd encourage every serious writer here to write and submit something to their local newspaper. You get a chance to work with an editor, plus, you have something good for your resume. Read some articles, especially in the Feature section and try your own. The worst that can happen is a 'no thanks, not for us.' Still, if you keep submitting, before long you're likely to write something of interest to them, and then they'll look forward to your articles.

Does that help or did I wander off-track? I do that sometimes...

Oh. Most of the online book review sites are manned by unpaid reviewers. They do it on a volunteer basis.

And for my short stories published in a national magazine, I was paid as a freelancer, which meant I was paid so much a word by the magazine. Be careful, tho. It usually takes several months to get paid.

'Puddles' on Author's Den is one of them.

Brenda,

I am right here. Lane came here at my invitation.

He never said that long book reviews were the only ones with merit.

What he, also, never said is; that in addition to writing 3 newspaper columns, he taught at two Universities and was a Senior lecturer at a third.

He is accustomed to folks listening to him, so why waste his time arguing?

He has better things to do.

You have such great respect for education, why not show some to the Educator?

Save some for Dick also. He is a good guy.

You may say what you wish, I will not respond. I await your NYT
best seller.

As I wait I am writing another book.

Best,

Alice

Glad to see you took my advice and posted under your own name this time. I'm sure some will welcome you back.

And, good luck on your wip.

Carol, I wrote mystery reviews for years for my last paper. It was just part of my regular paycheck. They said do it so I did it.

Reminds me of a question: Why did so many newspapers used to pay the reporters every Monday? Answer: Because if they paid them on Friday everyone would be too drunk to make it in to work on Saturday. Nearly all I worked for paid on Monday.

I know Brenda is always after me, but if she ever catches me I'll put up a fight.

Alice, I didn't notice that anyone insulted Lane. Disagreed at times, but never insulted.

Dick,

Lane is not insulted. He is merely busy--editing my book for nothing gives him more than enough to do in his free time. Can you imagine?

Take care,

Best,

Alice

Welcome back, Alice


Your friend,

Ann

Dick Stodghill wrote:

Alice, I didn't notice that anyone insulted Lane. Disagreed at times, but never insulted.

Darn, I hate to do this, but here's to you, Dick. Just don't think it'll become a habit.

I'm confident it will become a habit, Brenda.

Alice wrote:

Brenda,

I await your NYT best seller.

Thank you. That's very nice of you.