…the problem is, some of those words are blistering. And I mean that almost literally; if there was ever a time for an old-school Old Irish satire attack, this would be the time. Below is from a spam mail that I got this afternoon:
Speaking as a very talented writer, this is a horrible thing to do to people. And it’s not a horrible thing that’s being done to very talented writers: we generally end up doing all right for ourselves. No, targeting the people who aren’t very talented is what’s horrible. Writing is a skill as much as it is an art: and improving that skill takes discipline and a willingness to learn by doing (usually badly, at first). Telling people that they can write crap and it won’t matter anyway does nothing to help those people stop writing crap.
So, for God’s sake: don’t listen to these dudes. Write as well as you can, for as long as you can. Don’t give yourself permission to be second-rate.
What is this blurb from?
A spam email I got that was looking for writers.
Writing is like many other things; if you want to get better at it, you need to practice.
But best you do it in private, and wash your hands afterwards…
Heh, I could probably become a moderately decent writer… if I had someone to stand over me with a whip and force me to actually do the writing. I get too easily sidetracked into other things the moment I lose the thread of what I’m talking about. Now, what was I talking about before?
An attorney supervisor once told me “There is no good writing, only good re-writing.”
.
I write, for myself, because I find it fun. I have no illusions regarding my ability.