tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post3926447456875393435..comments2023-10-03T11:41:21.191+01:00Comments on The Truth About Lies: You probably think this blog is about you (part one)Jim Murdochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-21268149484108246202008-05-05T19:06:00.000+01:002008-05-05T19:06:00.000+01:00Yes, Glenn, I get rid of the need to write about m...Yes, Glenn, I get rid of the need to write about my life in poems. The irony is that very few people would have a clue what the poem was really about. It's as if I need to discharge the energy, clear my head and then I can get on with the rest of my stuff. Poem are good that way.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-61163495830173616002008-05-05T18:57:00.000+01:002008-05-05T18:57:00.000+01:00I could write a novel based on my life! Then I wou...I could write a novel based on my life! Then I wouldn't have to do any research. Research is boring and takes a long time, especially when it gets interesting but then it distracts you from the actual writing and dishes do that and dinner too so one more distraction is too many. But every time I've tried, put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, to try to capture a story that's my story even if only slightly different, I get bored (again! bored!) or irritated ... then I get afraid I'll hurt people's feelings over something that I'm only doing because it's easy and I can't justify it. But really that's an excuse, the hurting other people's feelings. Mostly it's that I lose interest. My life is not one of adventure and transgression and brilliant insight. And it wouldn't be if led by a guy named Gary or Greg. I've written autobiographical poems but they never take up much space.Glenn Ingersollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10674475308395975995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-57001938353054192172008-05-05T15:58:00.000+01:002008-05-05T15:58:00.000+01:00I didn't for a moment think you were in any way at...I didn't for a moment think you were in any way attacking womankind! Your honour is in tact...unlike Madonna's...and mine, I'm quite sure.Rachel Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803852725693518924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-31880613522783647592008-05-05T15:35:00.000+01:002008-05-05T15:35:00.000+01:00Rachel, first all of let me state that the views e...Rachel, first all of let me state that the views expressed by the writers, artists, editors, journalists and bloggers should not be assumed to be views I necessarily support, believe in or even understand that well. I included the quote by Gray purely for the effect of her punch line. I really wasn't looking to take issue with womankind; I've been an honorary woman for years. <BR/><BR/>I think your point about editors' choices is a good one mind. There are always going to be writers who pander to stereotypes both male and female and as long as they have market support them these stereotypes are going to be perpetuated. <BR/><BR/>As for whores or virgins… I think Madonna pretty much got that covered back in the eighties. <BR/><BR/>Did you notice incidentally that, with the exception of a fleeting nod to his father, all the people Krapp remembers are women? I'm a little surprised that he didn't call the dog a bitch because, in other texts, he does. <BR/><BR/>As for ranting… Feel free. But bear in mine that although I may be an honorary woman I'm stuck inside a man's body with the attention span of a gnat.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-89564911972898763142008-05-05T12:28:00.000+01:002008-05-05T12:28:00.000+01:00Being typically forthright and all that is all ver...Being typically forthright and all that is all very well (and I like what I know of Muriel Gray generally speaking) but I hated that quote about women writers then and I still hate it now. In fact possibly the worst thing about literary prizes for women only is how they give some people (men and women) so many opportunities to make huge,naff generalisations about women. I can't speak for men (sadly) but I would have to say that (for me) one of the many annoying features of a woman's life is constantly being told what women are like (still!), how crap women are at this, how sentimental when it comes to that... Plus read that quote through again...is motherhood really a 'small-scale domestic theme'. Really? In Hamlet, for example? In more stories than I care to think about? There's nothing wrong with any of those themes per se...it is more to do with how they are approached or used.<BR/><BR/>I'm not saying women can't be unimaginative writers...but if there are books coming out that Gray (and others) don't like isn't that more to do with publishers and agents and what they choose and think will sell? And also if there are a lot of unimaginative writers about aren't some of them men too? Every time I read one of those stupid 'women writers' quotes I want to create a whole new drama called 'strangle the idiot who came out with that crap'. But I don't. I have some control. And I know the media like to use quotes like that so sometimes they can be taken out of context (I seem to remember some story like that with Ali Smith).<BR/>Here's a generalisation: we women have to get used to that kind of thing all the time (are we all whores or virgins, I forget?).<BR/>Sorry, I'm ranting. I'll go...Rachel Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803852725693518924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-35336860975040622722008-05-05T12:18:00.000+01:002008-05-05T12:18:00.000+01:00Thanks for that, Dave. I have to say I got really ...Thanks for that, Dave. I have to say I got really caught up in this one. One post was simply not enough to work it out of my system. There are another three in this series and, even then, I think I've skimmed over the material.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-45603553782376003132008-05-05T12:10:00.000+01:002008-05-05T12:10:00.000+01:00A fascinating post, Jim. When I was studying for a...A fascinating post, Jim. When I was studying for a diploma way back, I took as my special study, "The Development of the Self-Image", meaning the ways in which the self picture grows, is modified or reinforced by the events of one's life. I took a lot of my "evidence" from biographies, autobiographies and novels ("thinly-veiled autobiographies", on occasions). What became absolutely enthralling, not only to me, but to the other students and the professor overseeing it) were the ways in which each form was more reliable or unreliable than the others. This had mainly to do with the depth of knowledge possessed by the author and the degree and type of spin being applied to serve private agendas.Dave Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08430484174826768488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-26894374002447698912008-05-05T11:59:00.000+01:002008-05-05T11:59:00.000+01:00Thanks for the very prompt comment, Tam. Yes, I re...Thanks for the very prompt comment, <B>Tam</B>. Yes, I really loved what Muriel Gray had to say. It cuts through all the posturing and pretentiousness. My mother was the same. She had no time for fiction. It was just something someone had made up out of their head. It's not real.<BR/><BR/><B>Allen</B>, I really have no knowledge of non-fiction writing other than this blog. I've written training manuals before but there wasn't much scope to infuse them with my own personality. I did write a database once for trainees to use for exercises and all the characters were out of <I>Star Trek</I> but that's about it. I read very little non-fiction. It takes me all my time to get through a novella these days.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-40437894712424195802008-05-05T02:03:00.000+01:002008-05-05T02:03:00.000+01:00Another great post, Jim. The first time I saw the ...Another great post, Jim. The first time I saw the name of your blog I thought, "That's a good title for a blog about fiction writing." It really is.<BR/><BR/>I'd love to hear your thoughts on the creative non-fiction genre, using fiction writing techniques to tell a true story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-12905436105864257382008-05-05T00:58:00.000+01:002008-05-05T00:58:00.000+01:00Brilliant post. I have to say that Murial Grey is ...Brilliant post. I have to say that Murial Grey is my new hero today..<BR/><BR/>"These writers appear to have forgotten the fundamental imperative of fiction writing. It's called making stuff up."<BR/><BR/>I've always seen fiction writing as a way to to give form to my daydreams, that they may last longer.Tamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16096057521160935889noreply@blogger.com