Comments on: “I Want To Be A Writer. There. Happy?”

By: Dunc

Dunc — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:14:24 +0000

“Depressed? Just cheer the-fuck up!”

I nearly hooked the bastard that said that to me.

By: Lee

Lee — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 06:52:21 +0000

Really nice post. Good luck with everything. And your daughter and writing… I’m not sure the ‘want to be’ part realistically comes into it. You do it because it’s part of you and you just have to do it regardless of the rewards.

By: meesteryan

meesteryan — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:52:33 +0000

Jonners is right, you’re one of the best writers I know so if you have genes in your family she’ll do well.

“water runs slow through flat land” reminded me of another phrase someone once used: “still waters run deep”.

when rivers are deep there are no rocks to disturb the surface and people use it to suggest that quiet people often have more complex or passionate character than a cursory examination might suggest.

that one was for free.

By: Jonners

Jonners — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 09:14:00 +0000

Great post, Cliff. You’re right, “alright” is not good enough. You deserve better and so do those around you. I wish “better” for all of you or as much of “better” as you can feasibly get.

I’m sure you’ll guide and support your daughter in all the right ways. If she’s got half the wit and writing spirit that you have then she’s a good chance…

By: Cliff

Cliff — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:45:49 +0000

It’s set in the early days of online newsrooms. News is often compared to a river, and this fits better. Your suggestion would get more hits in google, though. What do I know. Those who write can’t even teach.

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:51:14 +0000

Can’t you change it to “Secrets Are Like Arseholes”? Or will that not suit the tone of the novel?

By: Cliff

Cliff — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:42:53 +0000

Thanks Amy.

Woah. Weird timing. I was just coming here before I read your comment to say in the interest of full disclosure that “water runs slow through flat land” is not my phrase.

It’s a translation of the Chickasaw Indian word “yoknapatawtha”. Yoknapatawtha was the name William Faulker gave his mythical county in which he set many of his novels of the American Deep South.

I can claim the arseholes one though.

But funny since you mention it, because Water Runs Slow Through Flat Land is the title of the novel I’m writing.

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:52:35 +0000

Just from that conversation, your daughter sounds wonderful.

If you’re being proactive about your depression that you’re almost certainly not going to get to 50 and think that you could have done better and been happier. I’ve told you before about the people in my life who have depression and how it affects them and those around them, and it’s only when they stop trying that they do things they regret – be that taking action or doing nothing.

Finally, you have the best simile in the world in this post. “Secrets are like arseholes” should be the title of a novel.