I want to talk about criticism.  Because I’ve been guilty of encouraging something that maybe not everyone is comfortable with.

In the writing class I took, it was all about critique.  You read your piece and they ripped it to shit.  But see, we all did it to each other and after a while you didn’t even care.  It was worth it to get the feedback.

But on Xanga everyone was so positive.  And I loved all the kind comments but it’s too hard to find the problems all by yourself so the first time that glowing report changed into “I didn’t like,” the very words I used myself, I kind of stopped for a second and felt a wee bit sad.  Just for a second and then I was glad to have the input.  And Pina and Jeri this does not apply to you.  Because I begged for the help and you were both so kind and careful about giving it.

I’m just saying I probably owe some of you an apology.  So from now on I’m not gonna say anything negative unless I get an e-mail from you asking me to and I’ll try to remember not to start with “I don’t like,” because is there anything more obnoxious? 

I, on the other hand, am desperate for your input, as long as it’s not malicious.  Anything you can tell me about how to make my stuff better — I’m keeping a record of it and will make the changes when I edit — will be greatly appreciated.  Does anyone know how far back they store your posts?  

Someone, whose opinion I value highly, just remarked that he thought protected meant it wasn’t available to read.  No.  It means that, if you are on my list and and you click where it says protected up at the top (from “My Subscriptions”), you can see the post. It’s mostly what I do now, chapter by chapter.

I’m taking a break today, from the book I mean.  Who would have thought writing could be so — I don’t know — destructive.  I guess I thought shedding light would be a positive thing.  I sure never thought writing a sex scene would be so complicated.  I laid in bed last night ready to scrap the whole idea.  Writing fiction, unless you’re really an accomplished writer with an over-active imagination, is almost a waste of time.  Writing semi-autobiographical stuff is more interesting to people but the toll it takes on the writer hardly makes it worth the effort.  My third book is a biography, more or less, and maybe that would be easier but I don’t want to go back to that, just yet. 

I guess we’re supposed to be taking another kind of break here, a day of silence.  And, as you know, I’m the least political person on here.  Unless you mention it, I probably won’t know what’s going on in the world.  Ever since the dog ate my remote control I haven’t turned the TV on and since I quit looking for a job I don’t get the newspaper anymore.  Shocking, huh.

I do believe that the thing to do here is not to be silent today.  I would hope that we could continue to reach out to people, especially through the Internet where we can easily converse with people from other countries, and share our lives until there is no more sense of mine and yours.  One day we will visit there and they will come here and it will all be ours.  And I do believe it is up to people like you and me to make it happen.  I want to learn Spanish and go to Uruguay.  And I met a young man in Florida who is from Istanbul.  I was too old and my daughter too young but we really hit it off and he wants us to come visit.  We e-mail a little.  I think it’s just a matter of time before there is unity.  I think people are figuring out that it’s all about love.  And maybe I’m full of shit; just an old hippie who doesn’t know better because she doesn’t watch the news.

If you aren’t comfortable commenting on the latest protected, please e-mail me:  Prudy@spiritone.com

Does anyone know why, even if I go (in Word) to make it single spaced, I still get it double spaced?  And why when I hit tab, if I try to edit in xanga, nothing happens?

Are the names getting confusing?  Is it credible that they’d have sex?  Is the length better now?

Does Chapter four need more dialogue?  I shortened up the chapter because I am always put off by so much length to a post.

I am going to continue to stay protected as I work on this.  Please be liberal with your suggestions as I am having a hard time being objective.  I can’t seem to get a feel for the problems like I usually do.  And it all looks so plain to me.  Maybe I’ll go back and add my usual descriptive stuff but for this first run through it’s pure plot.  Go ahead and e-mail me if you are able to take the time.  Thanks.

PS  Is it just me or are things messed up here, in the editing department?  I can’t get the tab to work.  All kinds of weird shit’s happening.  I go back and edit in word, bring it back and it moves again.  WTF?

I’ve done the Creative Writing Challenge, Part I.  If you can’t see the following post and you’re over 18, let me know.  Oh, and it’s a work in progress.  I’ve only begun fussing with it.