smithreynolds's picture
smithreynolds from Spokane, WA USA is reading The writing on the wall. July 14, 2016 - 8:00pm

What is it about this place that makes me want to stay? I really am not sure yet. There is a masquerade ball going on, a dance of the fans. There is rudeness galore. And then, there is a flash of kindness and insight and empathy, and I say fuck! I think I can learn from these nasty little fuckers. 

I don't really say "nasty little fuckers". That is my defense mechanism, kicking in, like hitting the on switch on the hairdryer. It just keeps whah whah like a newborn baby but less urgent. You know the sound. 

So, even though you are as alien to me as a drawer full of razor blades, I open my heart to all of you, just for the fun of it. With regard, gsr  Also know as "Smithy", which I rather like.     

helpfulsnowman's picture
Community Manager
helpfulsnowman from Colorado is reading But What If We're Wrong? by Chuck Klosterman July 16, 2016 - 11:54am

Haha, I think you've nailed the appeal.

Honestly? My feeling is that the people here are hard-edged, but softies inside. And finding approval here means something more because of it. When you put something up in the workshop and some of the real hardasses love it, it feels much better than hearing how great something is from someone who likes everything.

Jose F. Diaz's picture
Jose F. Diaz from Boston is reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel July 16, 2016 - 1:38pm

I agree that I do feel a certain triumph if I get the approval of a hardass. 

In my defense: I was military for many many years, and we showed acceptance by verbally blasting each other. If someone talked to you like they were holding your hand, they didn't think much of you and felt they needed to coddle you. 

So, yes, I'm abrasive, argumentative, insufferable. But I also give a shit about people, so, I try to be compassionate and mostly respectful. 

I'm the sweet treat with a weird taste that you just aren't sure you like. 

Dwayne's picture
Dwayne from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updated July 17, 2016 - 3:10am

It is a train wreck I can't look away from.

smithreynolds's picture
smithreynolds from Spokane, WA USA is reading The writing on the wall. July 25, 2016 - 8:03am

I put this comment up ten days ago, and then could not bring myself to look at it again until today. What fun you people are! I have spent most of a life time trying to please anyone who crosses my path, and with the license of age comes release from fear. Snowman. I think you are right. Jose I still think you are cool, and Dwayne, I so get it....I am just a shamefaced voyeur. This is a pretty good window to look through at the moment. Also, I have been pondering, if you are writing for an audience, why not write for the ones who are really the hardest to please?  It's good juju. Cannot help but thinking about William Blake again, "Marriage of HEaven and Hell"...jumping into my worst nightmare. It's either that or ... Okay. that's all I got. Later, fellow rubberneckers. gsr.

V.R.Stone's picture
V.R.Stone from London is reading Savages by Don Winslow July 25, 2016 - 8:20am

I think someone probably once said that all writers are voyeurs. Or even worse, we create our own characters so that we can watch them (and of course play god).

I also think that, while it's important to encourage people who are just starting out, at some point early in your writing career you will produce something that is simply shit and need to be told it is. Writers need a thick skin and to develop their self-editing skills.

And they have to be crazy. Adults who sit in a room by themselves and make up stories?

smithreynolds's picture
smithreynolds from Spokane, WA USA is reading The writing on the wall. July 25, 2016 - 6:41pm

Well, being god would be a pain in the ass, so I'll have to settle for voyeur. I do like to tinker a little though, so that is kinda godly-ish.  I talk too much to be a voyeur. You have to shut up if you want to be a voyeur. So does god talk? I do hope so. 

My self editing skills are usually operating at warp speed. As to the thickness of my skin, I do seem to screech easily,  in between bouts of uncontrolled verbal stream of consciousness. It can be wearing on family members.  They cope by encouraging me to sit in a room by myself and make up stories. That is a good outcome in their view. They never bother me when I'm writing.  That's all I got. gsr