tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post7636133549576636506..comments2024-02-12T17:59:33.534-06:00Comments on RAZORED ZEN: FearCharles Gramlichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-47255591234220829352008-10-01T21:37:00.000-05:002008-10-01T21:37:00.000-05:00It's been helpful as far as feedback and growth ar...It's been helpful as far as feedback and growth are concerned, but I definitely fall into the pit of time suckage, too.Sarah Hinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13888406261817690010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-21117655276319563562008-10-01T13:23:00.000-05:002008-10-01T13:23:00.000-05:00As I'm not a writer, I can't answer your questions...As I'm not a writer, I can't answer your questions. But I must say, the internet would've made my life so much easier when I was in college! All-nighters became nightmares when the library closed.Ainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08402176500997528105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-55268510709335916972008-09-30T16:57:00.000-05:002008-09-30T16:57:00.000-05:00You're welcome, Miladysa.You're welcome, Miladysa.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-9921732308088370812008-09-30T11:56:00.000-05:002008-09-30T11:56:00.000-05:00Charles I sincerely thank you for what you have a ...Charles I sincerely thank you for what you have a said about my writing. It is very inspiring to receive such feedback from you.Miladysahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08065128196666157541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-37915894279672266392008-09-30T07:50:00.000-05:002008-09-30T07:50:00.000-05:00Eric1313, that's a strength of the blogging world,...Eric1313, that's a strength of the blogging world, having a group of friendly positive folks who can support you.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-86025074011884273682008-09-30T03:22:00.000-05:002008-09-30T03:22:00.000-05:00I've used the internet as inspiration quit often, ...I've used the internet as inspiration quit often, but you know that. I've written collaboratively with people because of it, which is something I never did before. Some of the people I've met are amazing to me, and that by itself is wonderful. <BR/><BR/>Oddly enough, I used to despise internet culture because of my space and the like. But ever since I was told by a professor to start writing on a blog, I no longer no what I would do without it! The audience, the instant feedback, it's just great to have. <BR/><BR/>Of course, poems are easy like that; all you need is the right thought, and the rest becomes easy to do. It just flows. If it doesn't flow, it's probably not going to be all that great. Not that I'm a postmodern snob who will throw something away if it takes more than a half hour, or more than one sitting. I find the best part comes after I get up, take a break maybe a drink or a smoke, maybe read a little Vonnegut or Carver or Bukowski, watch some TV, talk on the phone to somebody, chat with a neighbor or read some blogs.... etc.... But the fresh mind looking at the concepts I laid out gives me the finish, and allows me to tailor the beginning and the end.<BR/><BR/>That was another good thing I was taught--complete the circle, bring something from the beginning to the end, or vice versa.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, those are my thoughts on writing.<BR/><BR/>As for fear, my worst fears have all found way to come true in one way or another. And I deem the to be over-rated. So what if I die? So what if I lose friends? there are more of them, and there may be more to life beyond what we know. It's all good.<BR/><BR/>As the Viking Proverb goes: The length of my life and the day of my death were fated long ago. <BR/><BR/>And that is a grouping of words to truly live by.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for all the visits, man, it's cool to have the audience that I spoke of. I'm sure you love yours as well.eric1313https://www.blogger.com/profile/13807078704660045859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-84956929949622794222008-09-29T22:29:00.000-05:002008-09-29T22:29:00.000-05:00Anndi, I'm actually at the point where I tend to a...Anndi, I'm actually at the point where I tend to avoid writing prompts, even though I see a lot of good and interesting ones on the net. I just have too many pieces already that I want to do.<BR/><BR/>Anna-lys, sounds like a hero.<BR/><BR/>Rachel, checking email is so tempting for sure, and that's one reason I like to write disconnected from the net.<BR/><BR/>Fancy, they say reality is for those who can't handle fantasy. I believe that.<BR/><BR/>Josephine, I limit the number of online sources my students can use unless they are accessing actual scholarly papers. But through something like Psyclit or Psycinfo you can get access to thousands of actual journal articles. Plus, I identify sources that I need to read and order them through interlibrary loan. Xavier doesn't have a big library but I just ordered six books through interlibrary loan that I first identified on the net, and now I have the actual sources sent directly to me. The net certainly can't answer ever question, but it can answer quite a few, and it can often point out places where you need more research and need to get to the original sources. Original sources are almost always the best, of course.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-74931564109685960842008-09-29T18:04:00.000-05:002008-09-29T18:04:00.000-05:00I've seen some critics of non-fiction books say th...I've seen some critics of non-fiction books say the writer did all their research online via google.<BR/><BR/>I know a lot of college students who consider Wikipedia as a valid resource (something tells me: You too).<BR/><BR/>A lot of writers, fiction and non-fiction, think of google as acceptable - maybe it is for some things, but not others. <BR/><BR/>My advisor is big advocate of going to the original source - and that's not always something you can find online, even through a scholarly database. <BR/><BR/>I have some non-fiction book ideas, but I need to live closer to a big city w/a big library full of original documents.Josephine Damianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17952030380866201241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-83975079640999907252008-09-29T16:50:00.000-05:002008-09-29T16:50:00.000-05:00ResponsCharlesYeee...The line between fantasy and ...<I> Respons<BR/><BR/>Charles<BR/>Yeee...The line between fantasy and reality can be so little tiny like a needle's eye in the dark...and sometimes weird things go hand in hand... ;)</I>FANCYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02608983168583167889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-25645845035046589012008-09-29T12:39:00.000-05:002008-09-29T12:39:00.000-05:00I agree in that when I'm doing nonfiction writing,...I agree in that when I'm doing nonfiction writing, being hooked to the internet is essential. If I'm not on the internet I might be able to sketch things out, intro, body, conclusion, but I still have to go back and fill it in later. <BR/><BR/>With fiction, I'm more like Angie. It's either a big distraction for me or I do the write a little, play a little thing. SOmetimes I'll write in big chunks, then get hung up on a fact and while researching that fact get hung up in weird, esoteric spots on the web. THen check my email to get balance again.Rachel V. Olivierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08993034871233904955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-81459322973395250232008-09-29T10:06:00.000-05:002008-09-29T10:06:00.000-05:00In response from my blog:CharlesPippi is just a fi...In response from my blog:<BR/><BR/>Charles<BR/>Pippi is just a fiction or a metaphor for a certain behaviour.<BR/><BR/><I>"She is very unconventional, assertive, and extraordinarily strong, being able to lift her horse one-handed without difficulty. She frequently mocks and dupes adults she encounters, an attitude likely to appeal to young readers; however, Pippi usually reserves her worst behavior for the most pompous and condescending of adults." </I>(source Wikipedia)<BR/><BR/>// Anna R. Chist <BR/><BR/>he he he ;-)ANNA-LYShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03503734017177492952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-52364445724744717902008-09-29T09:53:00.000-05:002008-09-29T09:53:00.000-05:00Not really being a writer I like to participate in...Not really being a writer I like to participate in writing assignments, and they come from the net. <BR/><BR/>Like you, I might use the internet to get some factual background on things like a place I've never been (be it articles, pictures, etc...).<BR/><BR/>From a psych B.A. point of view, I'm extremely interested in your article. Good luck!Anndihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08703154815958841195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-20726179868011455922008-09-29T09:03:00.000-05:002008-09-29T09:03:00.000-05:00Angie, it's certainly handy to have available when...Angie, it's certainly handy to have available when you do need to check facts.<BR/><BR/>Steve Malley, I waste a lot of time that way myself.<BR/><BR/>Anna-lys, I'm definitely more afraid of people. Not all of them have our best interests at heart.<BR/><BR/>Jennifer, I can find ways to avoid work too, and the internet is one thing that helps me do that. video games are even worse, though. Thanks for visiting.<BR/><BR/>Paul, that's what I find too.<BR/><BR/>Bernardl, hum, I tend to find it the other way around. If I'm writing an everyday story I need less internet help than if the story is set in a fantasy or especially an SF world.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-59067311488292787302008-09-29T08:52:00.000-05:002008-09-29T08:52:00.000-05:00The internet helps me to an incredible degree with...The internet helps me to an incredible degree with research on writing; because unless the fiction is off world, there will be details to plot out, instantly available on the net.BernardLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09722619048888613647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-15064615187385837612008-09-29T07:55:00.000-05:002008-09-29T07:55:00.000-05:00The 'net is good for some research but I prefer to...The 'net is good for some research but I prefer to write on an offline computer. It's too easy to get distracted and go surfing.Paul R. McNameehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13498380385001618758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-3194896632400881712008-09-29T03:59:00.000-05:002008-09-29T03:59:00.000-05:00Internet = procrastination. I love it when I need ...Internet = procrastination. <BR/>I love it when I need to unwind, or when I'm doing casual research. I get mad at myself when I use it to get out of doing real work. <BR/>:-)Jennifer Macairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12728676209830389230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-27517872160468616882008-09-29T03:31:00.000-05:002008-09-29T03:31:00.000-05:00Does scared people live online, to the same amount...Does scared people live online, to the same amount as the non-scared?<BR/>Or is it the other way around?<BR/><BR/><BR/>Internet doesn't scare me of, on the other hand I am not afraid for the telephone, either. I think I am more afraid of people and their behaviour towards each other around the planet.<BR/><BR/>Internet doesn't have an impact on my writing. Maybe, because I have never looked upon Internet/Blogging as a place to write. I don't like reading on a screen, if I find something online to read, I print it out and than have a cosy pause on my couch.<BR/><BR/>In that sense the writing changes its mediator, doesn't it? The relation to the writer, the story etc. changes with its mediator. Internet is a strong mediator when it comes to sound and other effects, but not as articles.ANNA-LYShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03503734017177492952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-31438497240993413262008-09-28T23:40:00.000-05:002008-09-28T23:40:00.000-05:00I shut the darn thing off while I work on my ficti...I shut the darn thing off while I work on my fiction, use it later to correct the 'facts' I make up as I go. <BR/><BR/>You're right after all, it's about the feel of the thing. I think my last novel would have gone a lot quicker with less email-checking, etc.Steve Malleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17561234111786788616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-5188382823538763262008-09-28T23:37:00.000-05:002008-09-28T23:37:00.000-05:00Charles -- sure, it depends how you write, how you...Charles -- sure, it depends how you write, how you do your worldbuilding, how much detail you go into. [nod] I tend to be fairly rigorous even with fantasy, depending on what I'm doing. If I'm writing in a setting I've used a lot before, or that I've read enough about over the years, then I can wing a lot more of it. With something new, though, I'm always wanting to look stuff up. It's going to vary with the writer and the project.<BR/><BR/>AngieAngiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920578701763415331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-68185285453968320232008-09-28T22:59:00.000-05:002008-09-28T22:59:00.000-05:00Shauna, that's the same thing for me in nonfiction...Shauna, that's the same thing for me in nonfiction. I suspect if I was writing hard SF I'd spend more time on the net during the construction of the story, but with fantasy I find myself needing fewer hard facts or facts that I don't know. And horror set in a modern setting typically doesn't need that many.<BR/><BR/>Scott, yes, there's such a wealth of info that it's hard to ignore at times.<BR/><BR/>Barrie, I write a lot of fiction on my lap top now too.<BR/><BR/>Angie, I think it could, depending on the fact. Again, I could see this as more of a problem with hard SF than with fantasy.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-77145214588909529512008-09-28T21:59:00.000-05:002008-09-28T21:59:00.000-05:00Shauna -- I can't just put xxx's in the manuscript...Shauna -- <I>I can't just put xxx's in the manuscript and go on the Internet later; it hangs me up. Besides, often a single fact can affect the whole manuscript afterwards; for example, how fast a horse walks can affect the timeline of the rest of the book.</I><BR/><BR/>Yes, that. [nod] It's one thing to fill in XXXX when you need to come up with a character's name or figure out what they'd be eating, but something substantial could mess you up down the road.<BR/><BR/>AngieAngiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920578701763415331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-22400905839015716742008-09-28T21:03:00.000-05:002008-09-28T21:03:00.000-05:00When I have a lot to write, I use my old laptop th...When I have a lot to write, I use my old laptop that has no internet access.Barriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04678698296265168217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-35727672942993242542008-09-28T18:50:00.000-05:002008-09-28T18:50:00.000-05:00Your article on fear sounds interesting, Charles. ...Your article on fear sounds interesting, Charles. I agree with you on the non-fiction writng/internet thing. In fact, I'e noticed it recently with the book I'm writing now. I love that I can just zip over to YouTube to watch aclip from a movie to refresh my memory or look up dates for films , or any other research in general. It is true, however, that the 'interweb' can be a distraction. I'm getting better at not getting sidetracked, but it does occasionally happen.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09726570487056061877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-34244160442722926552008-09-28T15:17:00.000-05:002008-09-28T15:17:00.000-05:00yup, checking facts online is a great benefit, lik...yup, checking facts online is a great benefit, like you say, and you're right, also, in that that's pretty much it can do...<BR/><BR/>g'luck on the article... good topic, fear ;)laughingwolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873675614347328116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-53327767527269747082008-09-28T13:18:00.000-05:002008-09-28T13:18:00.000-05:00In the 18 years I've been doing freelance writing,...In the 18 years I've been doing freelance writing, per-word rates have barely budged. Other than negotiating better deals with long-term clients, the main way I've increased income was by completing pieces much faster. Using the Internet instead of a physical library has accounted for probably 95% of my increase in speed.<BR/><BR/>As far as fiction, I'm constantly on the Internet because I have to know facts right away. How does the moon's gravity compare with Earth's? What herbs are good for wounds? etc. I can't just put xxx's in the manuscript and go on the Internet later; it hangs me up. Besides, often a single fact can affect the whole manuscript afterwards; for example, how fast a horse walks can affect the timeline of the rest of the book.Shauna Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03871768714926149114noreply@blogger.com