tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post1966959804431651193..comments2024-01-12T11:26:35.176-05:00Comments on Working Stiffs: Very Real Cases of Writing ApprehensionWorking Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-69436982194269222011-01-12T13:53:47.939-05:002011-01-12T13:53:47.939-05:00Gina, exactly the point! That's what makes it ...Gina, exactly the point! That's what makes it liberating. Nicely, if somewhat self-deprecatingly, said.<br /><br />Jennie, thanks for the comment. We are all different. I love that you and Gina aren't afraid. It takes so much stress away when you can just write to enjoy it - when it's not for a grade or to score an agent or anything else you really can't control anyway.Tamarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01816106870127354391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-85067675421766165322011-01-12T10:52:20.981-05:002011-01-12T10:52:20.981-05:00I'm an alien, and I have the green card to pro...I'm an alien, and I have the green card to prove it. <br /><br />Writing doesn't scare me. I know my books can't compare to some. I'm not the most lyrical or beautiful writer in the world. There are people, tons of them, who do this job much better than me. I find things to change in my books all the time, long after they're published. But the way I see it, my job isn't to be the greatest writer in the world, or to pen the most gorgeous prose. (And if you want that to be *your* job, that's great, nothing wrong with that, best of luck to you. But it isn't my job. And that's fine. We're all different, thank God.) <br /><br />My job is to entertain. As long as I do that, my writing can be as imperfect as it wants. I do my best to use the right word and to leave out the parts people skip, but I write first and foremost because I enjoy it, and if the joy goes out, then I'll probably stop. Beside, perfection is boring.Jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01442754671445893599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-66101705464403848212011-01-12T10:07:40.969-05:002011-01-12T10:07:40.969-05:00I must be an alien. I'm never scared to write...I must be an alien. I'm never scared to write and I don't find it scary at all. Maybe it's just my basic lack of self-esteem. I know I'm going to foul up, so I don't sweat it.Ginanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-105975946188377002011-01-12T09:29:09.072-05:002011-01-12T09:29:09.072-05:00Thanks, everyone. But as is the case with many thi...Thanks, everyone. But as is the case with many things in life, it's much easier to make this claim or point it out to others than to embrace it yourself. I think it's a lifelong attempt, or at least, it will be. <br /><br />I've encouraged some of my students to stop by the blog today, so you might see comments from them pop up. We are creating some blogs this semester, so I want them to start looking at blogs. I think the comments strands on this blog provide some great examples of conversations that arise from blog posts. <br /><br />Thanks, again.Tamarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01816106870127354391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-43231165601306137812011-01-12T08:10:24.279-05:002011-01-12T08:10:24.279-05:00Tamara, I'm sure your students benefit from an...Tamara, I'm sure your students benefit from an instructor who has been there/done that regarding the writing process. <br /><br />I love the comment that a 500 word essay provides 500 opportunities for choosing a substandard word. Darn, I wish I'd written that!Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-70995063784924946362011-01-12T07:55:01.411-05:002011-01-12T07:55:01.411-05:00It takes me forever to get through a first draft. ...It takes me forever to get through a first draft. It usually ends up being my second or third draft because I have to revise as I go along. Yes, I drive myself crazy.Joyce Tremelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498392016497131719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-83658534213244571692011-01-12T07:44:25.086-05:002011-01-12T07:44:25.086-05:00Excellent post, Tamara.
Letting go of that desire...Excellent post, Tamara.<br /><br />Letting go of that desire to get it perfect is a tough one. I'm struggling with it at the moment, too. I'm slogging through a first draft, reminding myself that I don't have to get it "right" on this first pass. <br /><br />It is freeing once it sinks in, though. Just write.Annettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755947919433555176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-77136620432342773812011-01-12T06:13:12.885-05:002011-01-12T06:13:12.885-05:00This is a great reminder to every writer! Thanks T...This is a great reminder to every writer! Thanks Tamara. I think you must be a very inspiring teacher!PatRemickhttp://www.patremick.comnoreply@blogger.com