Are YOU a pretend-writer? - Page 4 - Writers Forum

JohnN · 12-03-2007, 04:27 AM

Like Lote-Tree said....

Write for yourself and be happy

Loulou · 12-03-2007, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

F*ck it, if I could write as well as some of you, I wouldn’t be wasting my time here. I’d be off making a name for myself in the real world, writing for readers. I only waste my time here because I can’t write. But you can. So why don’t you do something about seeking publication, and cease all this procrastination?

Forums are an excuse for doing nothing productive.

I am a writer, in the sense that I get paid for it, but I get much more out of coming here than seeing my articles in a newspaper. I get no sense of readership from the paper, rarely any feedback (except the odd letter), and I have to conform to a certain degree. (I can't swear for example.)

I've learnt a lot coming here for the last year. Fuck, I barely knew what a metaphor was, about imagery or foreshadowing, about non sequiturs (love those!) or how to edit properly. And these things do matter. To me anyway. Because if I could even write before, I was doing it blind. Now, through reading the work and advice on here, I have a bit more of a clue.

The procrastination you speak of Ox, matters. To me. So I'm grateful for what I've read and learned on here. And thankful to the people who I think are great writers and who have helped me in some way.

ClancyBoy · 12-03-2007, 04:59 AM

So, no buttsex in what you publish? What's it about then? I always sort of imagined it was some kind of sex-therapy column.

Loulou · 12-03-2007, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClancyBoy

So, no buttsex in what you publish? What's it about then? I always sort of imagined it was some kind of sex-therapy column.

Hehehe, I would love to write a sex column. It's my dream. Would you believe that I write a rather sedate column about being a 'harassed parent'? I mean, it's witty and I got the word 'vagina' in there once, even 'breasts', but that's it. Not complaining though. Never complaining. I enjoy doing it. here's a link, Clancy.....

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.c...=sidebarsearch

The Backward OX · 12-03-2007, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truth-Teller

There is no such thing as pretend writer.

Either you write; or you don't.

Dawnstorm · 12-03-2007, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loulou

I've learnt a lot coming here for the last year. Fuck, I barely knew what a metaphor was...

Out of interest, how - if at all - did learning about metaphors help you write such a delightful line about Joe as "breezing through the door on a fluffy cloud of opinion"? (For those who didn't look: from the column linked to in above post.)

That said, metaphors do strange things. Bullshit from an Ox? Quoth the Ox, "If only..."

Loulou · 12-03-2007, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawnstorm

Out of interest, how - if at all - did learning about metaphors help you write such a delightful line about Joe as "breezing through the door on a fluffy cloud of opinion"? (For those who didn't look: from the column linked to in above post.)

That said, metaphors do strange things. Bullshit from an Ox? Quoth the Ox, "If only..."

Hey Dawnstorm, thanks for noticing the line, and calling it delightful.

I suppose, I can only say that I knew it sounded right, but a year ago I wouldn't have known what the hell it was called. I would have just said, "You know, the thing where you have one thing show another, in a kind of poetic way, but not..." It's nice to have proper labels.

I used to have the instinct with writing. Now I got me some tools.

Non Serviam · 12-03-2007, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loulou

I used to have the instinct with writing. Now I got me some tools.

It's true! Many people come here and receive input from tools. I've noticed a substantial number of complete spanners, for example.

Rumrunner · 12-03-2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Non Serviam:
It's true! Many people come here and receive input from tools.

LMAO!

SevenWritez · 12-03-2007, 12:08 PM

Ox, this is perhaps your best piece yet. I loved the pacing and the voice, and not only that but your diction truly did send this piece home. However, your narrator seems to go on and on about being pretentious yet comes off as an annoying twat himself. Other than that minor gripe I'd say this is the best short story you've written thus far. Great job.

smilinghelps · 12-03-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truth-Teller

There is no such thing as pretend writer.

Either you write; or you don't.

Sorry Ox, I agree with Truth-Teller.

Ever TRY to walk? Ever TRY to breathe? Either you did walk and breathe or you didn't. There is no such thing as trying.

People write or they don't. Some are better than others. As we've established here before, there are many level of writers on here, from basic beginners to full-blown published writers.

I personally, am somewhere in between.

I came here to gain inspiration and to pick up writing again. I have a passion for words and for writing and some may say, a talent for it. (some may disagree). Perhaps someday I'll seek publication. I do enjoy having feedback on my work from other writers on this forum, it helps build my confidence, it helps me see my mistakes and helps me see other perspectives. Maybe I over-analyze my own work, that's where my friends here help me.

Imagery is important in many types of work, but not all. An instruction manual or technical paper wouldn't require it but a romance novel or fantasy fiction would be flat without it.

I know you're trying to understand why it is that we do what we do--its because we can't, not do it. For me, its like breathing--there is no trying, just doing.

Eli Cash · 12-03-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumrunner

True, perhaps -- but I'll wager most people want to be bloody sure that the mechanic who built the thing knew and cared about all that. And that's what the writer essentially is.

Any field producing a product for consumption has it's own behind-the-scenes "jargon" that the average end consumer doesn't care about. But that doesn't mean that jargon doesn't have a place.

End of thread.

quarterscot · 12-03-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eli Cash

End of thread.

Oh damn it, Eli, really? I wanted to get really, really annoyed with Mr Ox too. Everyone else has. It's not fair. Now I'll just have to go off and do something worthwhile instead. That's much less fun.

fgp123 · 12-03-2007, 06:09 PM

haha

While a little rude, well allot rude really. Allot of truth there about long winded writing. I like reading Dean Koontz. (Though his last few offerings have been a bit off) but I can’t stand it when I have to read an entire paragraph about how the wind was blowing.

Or even painting the set. my goodness I don’t need a whole page to tell me the character was traveling down the road in their Chevy which was flanked either side by large green ferns.

3.00

Malone · 12-03-2007, 06:16 PM

Amazing article Lou. Great read.