All pics are clickable ~ some enlarge the image, some go to something else...
In memory of the 22nd anniversary of
Truman Capote's death,
THE OPINIONATED OLD LADY BITCHES
ABOUT ONLINE FICTION
As she imagines Mr. Capote may have felt.
Merely to create interesting characters and describe what they're feeling, and have them interact in situations that are compelling and/or dramatic ~ is not enough.
It's obvious that these scribblers do not care a whit about the art of it. Indeed in the strictest sense they are not writers ~ in the words of Capote, “This is not writing, it’s typing” ~ and it is apparent that there is some other, usually narcissistic agenda in mind (as George Carlin would say, "the name of the game is DIG ME!"). True, there are famous and/or prolific authors, good ones, who are poor spellers and make small mistakes in grammar and construction. However, the ones who are successful have the foresight to make good use of conscientious proofreaders. You will not make it very far if you come across as a semi-literate boob.
I especially make it a point not to read stories written by people that I like personally. The few times I gave in to temptation and curiosity, I found myself profusely critical and unhappily disappointed in myself for feeling that way. So I simply stay away from it, and we all win.
I avoid fanfic or other amateur prose mainly because it's almost always flawed so foolishly that it hurts my eyes and brain to read it. That's just me, though. There's absolutely nothing wrong with sharing cute little stories with other people who may enjoy them. However, don't delude yourself into thinking you're "writing."
TRUMAN CAPOTE Sept 30, 1924-Aug 25, 1984
Like Brian Epstein, born in September and died in August.
My favorite Truman Capote quotes:
"Friendship is a pretty full-time occupation if you really are friendly with somebody.
You can't have too many friends because then you're just not really friends."
"Life is a moderately good play with a badly written third act."
"Mick Jagger moves like a parody between a majorette girl and Fred Astaire."
“It's a scientific fact that if you stay in California you lose one point of your IQ every year”
Finally, the quotes that most apply to this post:
"I believe more in the scissors than I do in the pencil."
"To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the inner music that words make."
"Writing stopped being fun when I discovered the difference between good writing and bad
and, even more terrifying, the difference between it and true art.
And after that, the whip came down."
Aww, back off, Truman and Christine!
| Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss |
