I am working on three different posts for your delectation. I am hoping to have them all done, dusted and readable over the weekend [Hah - Ed]. However I am having trouble sticking to the subject in hand [Oh God! Cliché! And Son of Cliché! Subject in hand! - Ed]. Trouble sticking to the subject, I was saying, partly because the Editor is being unusually intractable [And I last had a coffee on Thursday] We were keeping off coffee, remember? The insomnia? It was your idea? [Yes. Now you are rested and I am going cold turkey]. Do you know, I have absolutely no idea were this paragraph was going any more. [You were having trouble sticking to the subject].
Yes. Well.
Whenever I start typing something apropos on these said three posts, I get hijacked by the melancholy conviction that a) I am writing a whole lot of rubbish [Mea culpa], b) I could be doing something considerably more useful, like hoovering [That’s your mother talking, not me. I’m the one reminding you you have a demanding public these days who couldn’t give a flying fer-crying about your dustbunnies] and most troublesome, but sort of related to b, c), there are beloved friends and family out there who care not that I write anything at all about anything ever. I don’t even mean the Usual Subjects, parents and siblings who see me in that precious, special family way [As a permanent eleven-year-old clutz]. Of course, there are a few friends-and-family out there who know I write, ask about the writing, pour out into my bosom the balm of unsolicited advice on everything from which notebooks I should use to what publisher I should approach, and yet would clearly sooner put their own head down the pan and pull the flush than read anything I write. I do quite wisely put most of this down to the fact it’s only polite to show an interest, however faked, face-to-face, and to the fact some people just have to have the biggest, hairiest, cleverest, chest in any given interaction.
A couple of people, however, break my heart. Well, OK, that’s the lack of caffeine talking, but they do crumble the old ticker at the edges just a little. These are the people who I do truly love, and respect. They do not read anything I write. They do not read this blog, for example. They know it exists. They occasionally ask how the writing thing is going. They care, vaguely. But not enough to read anything. They read other people’s blogs. They read other people’s stories and poems. They are not illiterate, or stupid, or phobic about books. One or two of them even write a bit themselves. But they do not read me. I have no idea why not. I daren’t ask, in case the answer crushes me to the ground. But I suspect that I must come across as just about as boring as possible in Real Life.
Or am I whining? [You’re whining. Hush now and go write something interesting].
I may not be one of those in the last paragraph but I am reading - and you’re never boring.
Left by Teuchter on August 5th, 2006
I read but don’t comment - maybe at least some of the people you mention do the same? You are giving yourself a hard time and still succeed in making it enjoyable to read for us - even the whining parts
Best wishes
Left by sunny on August 7th, 2006
Thank you both for the kind words. They are much appreciated.
Sunny - the photo was lovely. Thank you!
I know of several people who read but don’t comment - at least not here. They either have plenty to say in ‘real life’ (very flattering), or occasionally they take the trouble to let me know they are about the place despite preferring to maintain radio silence, which is pleasing also.
As for the (few) people I am whining about, I tend to have this same extended conversation with them : ‘Oh, are you still working on that blog thing? I might have a look at that one day. What’s the address again? Oh, yes, you did say….… What have you been writing recently? The blog? Oh, I must have a look at that some day. Did you ever give me the address?….
… Have you written anything recently? What? You’ve started a blog? I might just have to take a look. What’s the address?…. So, how’s the writing? Did I look at the blog? Well, no, not yet. How long have you been at it? Since March? Really? What’s the address again?’
Left by Reed on August 8th, 2006
Glad you liked it
Hm. You could print little cards with just the URL on them. Or you could send them an Email with the link in it (if you want to wrap it nicely, you can use http://www.flyyy.com). Or you could get some T-Shirts printed with the address. No? Rather thought so…
No, wait - next time you just tell them: and I wrote about you! - that should do the trick
sunny
Left by sunny on August 8th, 2006
I’m another frequent readeer who is trying to be a better commenter.
You have such a flare with words. If any of us is a natural born writer, it’s you.
Left by Hypatia on August 8th, 2006
Like Sunny (*waves to Sunny!*) and Hyp, I tend to read more than comment on your blog. Why? Well, girl, cos you intimidate the fuck out of me with your writing ability and I can’t imagine saying anything after reading that wouldn’t sound like, well, this comment for example.
grovellingly yours …
Left by azahar on August 11th, 2006
I like the t-shirt idea, myself.
I have been lurking on all sorts of pages here since I just started my own blog. I’ve been working on it off and on and been feeling rather hurt that no one goes to it or comments. Then it suddenly hit me. I haven’t told anybody about it. So what is with that? Maybe its because I am afraid that if I tell people about it I will then be going through the conversations that you are going through.
Anyway, I really like your stuff, and enjoy it a lot. There is something about the inner editor that just “makes” it. Probably our recognition of our own inner battles being put forth publicly, and in such an amusing way.
If “they” don’t want to visit and read you, forget about them. You have a following, a group of admirers and supporters. It is growing.
Left by healingmagichands on August 17th, 2006
Hmmm. I read occasionally - if it makes you feel any better yours is the only one I read. Mind you, that is probably because yours was the first one I ever read - I’ve been a little bit left behind by all this blog business. I must make some kind of effort to keep up with yours more often. And I must go and visit everyone elses, especially as I don’t see some of them as much any more…
Left by Kelli on August 24th, 2006
Kelli, I am honoured. Thank you for dropping by.
Left by Reed on August 25th, 2006