[Quotes by Seneca]
[This quote comes from the thought that cowardice may spring from placing too high a value on one’s continued existence. There may come a time when courage is called for and sacrifice required. Holding one’s physical self in such high regard, cheapens the Stoic. Reduces him or her to petty concerns of self-preservation.]
Anonymole - apocryphal agitators 
You know, in audio, or all electronics, pulling the tube, cleaning the socket – swapping an oxidized connection for a new one – setting gain structure all lead to better sound, brighter lights, clearer tone and picture – but as Murrow inferred, without intent and clarity its just wires and lights in a box. So knowing that, why doesn;t everyone invest in their own clarity and do the nasty editorial work, and make their intent clear?
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And fuck the typos…
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Computers suck. I hate ’em
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Yeah. I dumped the virtual instruments and midi that I prophesied from day one. Most electronic instruments are computers masquerading as musical instruments, but they are at least in full tactile costume and not reliant on a beastly operating system and represented by pictures of themselves. There were times of starvation and youth when a ratty ass old grand piano that sounded like bells on acid in a basement that echoed nicely was more than enough to entertain me.
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So, what of “Counting Cosplay Coup”? I feel a Transfer scene bubbling.
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I take all MEMe-able lines as paintings across universal truths. Avoidance, denial, relativism on any scale to form justification for inaction falls under this concept.
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“Justification for inaction.” Living with the choice appears to be the issue. If you can, without second guessing, then why not?
I’m finding Seneca to be rather critical of nearly everyone. There’s something not-quite-right about that fact.
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While not looking in his own back yard. Criticism, like art, is all about intent. Even when the critic may seem clueless or mean, unweight it and look anyway, if you have time.
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Looking into scribophile
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Scribophile is a huge time sink.
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Appreciate it!
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I’ve had numerous accounts on “The Scribe.” There are a ton of snarky people there (or were). But, generally, it “can” work for one’s writing–provided you put in the effort to read other’s stuff. A LOT of other’s stuff.
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And make a concerted effort to improve your own. Snark is like any language – if there is vapor behind it give it no weight. If it offends you, improve. If it’s flattery ignore it.
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The snark’s comments can often hold merit. Their delivery, irksome, must be overlooked. (Or the source hunted down and dismembered.)
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Cool, thanks. Rather put my limited energy into writing my own stuff, reading published works (books) and interacting with the Mole. And now sleeping, of course.
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Okay, forget about Wattpad.
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“Who has Honor but a man who died a Tuesday?” Falstaff.
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Know anything about a site called Wattpad? I’m poking into it…thought I’d ask. And, what the curmudgeon said. Love that guy. Not connecting with his new blog on the TV show or whatever it is, but still remember his earlier writings were quite brilliant. Even tho that’s nothing, as he would be first to attest to.
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Hi George F.,
Sounds like you ditched the Wattpad idea, but here are my comments. I used to be the King of Wattpad. It is a huge time suck, but if you are free and keep a bottle handy, it can be fun. Lots of young suicidal people on the thing, half-written screeds, pointless things, some decent poetry … everyone playing nice … all of your comments monitored, etc. It used to be the single largest free reading site on the internet. Writers actually find publishers on the thing. Don’t know what happened to it, since I was on it from 2013 – 2015. Some sad and strange things happened while I was on there. It is Canadian if that matters. Easy to get in and off the thing, but if you want people to read your stuff, you have to engage them with comments and that can lead to virtual relationships with writers from all over the world and that was sort of interesting. Good luck. Duke
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Thank you very much. It’s a new discovery for me and I was eyeballing it. If one can actually get a publishing deal….then… .hmmmmm. (Not that I’m even ready, but hey!) I’ll follow you, and If I put something up I’ll either send you a link or let you know. Thanks for the feedback. Greatly appreciated.
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…and did you get anything “out of it” besides friends and an interesting experience?
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Hi George F.,
I was actually a sort of talent scout for a book publisher. I found a few good writers on Wattpad and they got deals, but I wasn’t the only mole, there were agents looking for movie ideas as well. My first publisher was Booktrope. They went bust because they offered too many good and expensive perks for too many marginal writers. Now I’m with a small boutique outfit on Long Island. I forgot to mention there are a lot of people looking to flirt on the site and if you write in an emotional or poetic way, you should expect that sort of thing. Thanks. Duke
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“there were agents looking for movie ideas as well.” And yet Hollywood still can’t shrug off the perpetual serial or the remake. Franchise be damned!
I know, let’s make another Cinderella knockoff. (Must have been Vonnegut who perpetuated that one.)
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Okay, I’m impressed. Love flirting, won’t be jumping on a plane to meet anyone soon tho. I’ll finish my book then look you up since you’re still in the biz. Good thing to know there are people getting book deals and trolling for new writers. If agents are looking for movie “ideas” tho, what are the chances of them just stealing an idea? Not sure “copyright” means anything on Wattpad. BTW, following you. Should we take this convo to your blog. I’ll make a comment.
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PH will show up and shit all over the place. I know it.
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[That sounded like an invitation…]
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Yes, invoking his name seems to conjure him …but reading further, I see he’s already appeared! Oh well.
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I wonder if the threshold has been passed where the quantity of writing about writing exceeds that of actual writing.
I probably burned 30-40 hours all told on Scribo-Defile.
What ends up happening on sites like that are the same twenty or so topics get rehashed over and over. And the lifers get bitter, much like ServiceDesk people “RTFM!”
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Hey, that’s the same gig for Universities and things like Coursera. Absoultely othing you couldn’t Google and a lot of people handing out attaboys for pure shit. A good idea is a good idea but fucked up execution or something one is unsable to follow any better than one way streets in New Orleans (or Boston) is not going to gain traction. Authors are falling off Facebook daily. The myth of 60k followers will get you a deal is just that, because all those people are friend farming. I one needs adoration get a dog and spend the time you’d spend on vibe-a-cites and rooms full of people with a low bar setting fixing your work and having thoughts while walking the dog. People would rather get in room and play nice over poorly crafted shit than put in the work and fix it. “Moron” that line of thought any time.
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You on Scibo-Defile? I haven’t looked into it further since you made that comment. I think the quantity of writing about writing already exceeds that of actual writing with me lately. It’s so much easier.
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The folks there, as well on Wattpad, I would surmise, have more free time than I can afford. Critiques—those that you provide—can take hours to do right: 3k words @ 4min/1k * 3 = ~15 minutes just to read. Then 300-600 words interspersed as suggestions/critique. And that’s if you catch the first chapter of someone’s story. Edit “Chapter 27″…? Hell, I don’t want to drop into the middle of some tale knowing nothing. Better to team up with a very small group and share smaller chunks. (smile)
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LOL! True, true.
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There it is. That manages to define both Stoicism and valor in one fell swoop. Though there are those who approach life in such a manner, they are a rare creature indeed. The question is how to inspire larger swaths of people to rise above their primitive instincts of survival for survival’s sake. I honestly don’t believe that our species is advanced enough for that. In fact, I honestly don’t believe that most who belong to our species would even understand what you just wrote.
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There’s already that bit for some about herds of virgins awaiting in heaven for those keen on offing themselves in the name of God.
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Which, in the scheme of things, is a perfectly acceptable interpretation of the Universe. (Seein’ how no interpretation can possibly be accurate or valid—or meaningful.)
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