Writing
March 27, 2008
The thing I like most about blogging this is the writing. That sounds simple, because – well – it is.
Billy Crystal’s character in Throw Mama From The Train says: “A writer writes – always.”
But it’s true. A cobbler doesn’t cobble, a guitarist doesn’t guitar, a butcher doesn’t butch. A writer writes.
Jeanette Winterson wrote: “the more I read, the freer I become”. She said of reading that it “helps you to feel, as well as think, and quite a lot of us find feeling rather than difficult.”
I feel the same about writing, although maybe not so much with the freedom thing because I keep a blog. Only joking (a bit) on that point but like I say every now and then, thanks for the comments.
She also wrote “oranges are not the only fruit” and you can’t argue with that.
Now. About that. There are a few readers, friends, people I’ve met, folks who have emailed me, who have said they didn’t want to leave a comment. That’s cool. Enforced audience participation is a terrible thing.
The blurb when there are no comments under the posts on this site says “Go ahead, caller” because if you’re going to leave a comment, you’re the active and willing participant in a public forum. My comparison to talk radio isn’t a coincidence.
But out of interest, when people make a point of saying “Oh I don’t comment” I have to ask why.
More times than not, the answer is: “Well the people who leave comments are really clever.”
“Oh no. No no no no no,” I protest. “They’re really not. I mean yes, but that shouldn’t mean anything.”
But I know what they mean. There are sites I read where I don’t leave comments on because I don’t want to look a dufus, and few walk a finer line of looking the dufus.
There are also sites where I comment too much and it’s a regular doofest of me.
So leave a comment if you want, but don’t not because someone else has done a funny. It’s always good to hear back. Although you won’t now obviously because there’s no discernable topic in this post.
I’m just saying bear it in mind. But you don’t have to, obviously.
Look, just forget I said anything.
I should go.
18 comments
NOW where are you going?
I am guilty of the, “Oh no, I’ll never top that!” induced reluctance to post comments.
I think it has happened twice now.
I get that on your site, Angry.
Funny, I don’t get that here…
Jokes!
I can’t top that.
I think you just did my man.
Perhaps, but not in a way that was self-affacing and also clever.
part of it is what cliff said. part of it is i have questions, but don’t know how to email them to you and i don’t want to ask them out in public. what to do? I’ve decided it’s best to sit silently and I lurk. I admit it even if it sounds creepy.
your little place in space is one of the best things i read all day and i really don’t want to ruin it by throwing in my two cents. i’m just weird too. i’ve said too much. now it’s my turn to run off.
I used to think that, too. But then I decided that even if I don’t sound clever (which is always) I’d still rather leave a comment if something made me think a bit or made me laugh or whatnot. Thanks for the writing, Cliff.
I comment too much, probably. Going to try to lurk more, but comment with quality as and when, rather than be a bit trigger happy.
Una, you have only edified us by sharing your thoughts. Seriously – that was more profound and honest than I could come up with, I feel bad for messing about now.
I’m way dumb and never worry about clever because I can’t keep up anyway so I’m happy being teh This is This Village Idiot.
I can never think of anything to say, or if I do, it’s already been said…pah!
oh now you’ve inspired me! But bum, I have absolutely nothing to say.
Una – That might be the trouble with a public forum I guess. Just because you’re saying nothing doesn’t mean you’re lurking. I confess myself to checking this site when I haven’t posted on it. I guess that’s lurking, too. And much creepier. Thanks for your comment though – that’s really nice.
Kathryn – Thanks for the reading. Your comment made me laugh and whatnot.
Jonners – Either way. Suit yourself. Lurk if you like. Shadows might become you.
Sam – I think we’ve all learned something today. Video post on the way, though. Look out.
Ed R – Don’t put yourself down too much.
Clair – If I worried about that I would never have started this blog.
c – Thanks. I like the thought of passive inspiration.
I didn’t comment when I was reading your winter posts, about the weather and being down, and showing us your commute, even though I felt awful for you.
Hope that the sun is out more for you these days, Cliff.
No comment
Where?
Leave a comment. Play nice. I will turn this blog around.