Acceptance

This is a reprise of a post from my Wordpress blog in 2020, and it seems apropos today. At the time I was writing 'Round Midnight, part of my Ezzie Dryar series.

I'm very accepting. I write what comes to me. I accept it. Sometimes I have second thoughts, and they are usually right.

I accept that some of what I write is very second rate, yet other pieces are inspired. Sometimes, my second thoughts will turn something second rate into something inspired. Sometimes, I leave it flawed. In 'Round Midnight, I quote a lot of poetry or plays, mostly Shakespeare, but sometimes song lyrics. Other pieces contain poetry explicitly ... my own work. I've been bad about acknowledging my sources. Today's was a song from Tommy. See me, hear me, by The Who. Yesterday's (I Am) and another from a few days ago (Siren) use original poetry.

Why am I doing that?

I like to tap into cultural references when they are there: poetry, lyrics, opera plots. You won't catch most of them, but I'm sure you will feel a certain smugness when you do.

I want you to. I am the vehicle for your smug self-worth. I accept that.

I crave it.

Don't worry if you don't catch a reference. It will make it all the more satisfying when you do.

Nobody is really reading this anyway. Right? Not to the end, at least. Great Post :) Having travel, sports, and food bloggers, as well as get rich quick schemers like so many of my posts is suspicious. Very few actually comment.

Why is that?

Do I go around and comment on everyone's posts? If I like them.

Do I "like" everyone's posts? If I actually like them.

Do I read everyone's posts who like mine? I try, if they interest me (usually fiction, poetry, or fantasy). I at least look at their pages. I don't read travel blogs, food blogs, sports blogs (for the most part), or get-rich-quick blogs. I don't read blogs about blogging. That's like checking out your navel for fluff.

I don't have time for fluff.

I accept that I don't follow the rules. I don't write about the 10 sure-fire ways to increase your hits, or five ways to increase your lover's pleasure, or the 5 best hikes in the world, or six amazing recipes that I can cook in less than a half hour.

I'm not about giving everyone trivial information. (That's probably why I rarely post on Twitter. Don't look for me, I post under another name.)

I write about what interests me. I write fiction, poetry, about love, music, the supernatural, tarot cards, and the S-word without straying into porn. I like music. I like language. I like words. Words are sexy. And I like pretty pictures. Did I say I like writing about sex? And creation myths. And sensuality. Is that more sex?

That's what makes me tick.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Boom!

Reviews

[Twilight]

To me, this reads as if a writer is self-checking a few of her own thought processes; relating to her writing. Certainly, it relates very much to this social media age; when critics seek evidence and proofs which are important to them (regardless of writer intentions or how good or bad a track record that writer may have). Smugness is raised here. Almost teasingly, the writer asks questions like "Why is that?", and "why am I doing that?"; then giving her answers beneath. Teasingly, because critics and/or jealous readers might mistake the comprehensiveness of her answers; for smugness. In reality, I see those answers as representing her assuredness that her methods and approach are the right ones for her. Without, mindlessly going along with trendy thinking; for the sake of convenience. Also, she's open and honest enough to admit that she's "bad" about acknowledging sources etc.

[Anne Martin]

I was probably too plain about acknowledging sources. When I was writing 'Round Midnight, I was so in the moment that I would quote a line from a song and promptly forget what song that was, so I couldn't acknowledge those sources. I do better now, but I don't openly borrow as much as in that specific novel, which I still think is one of my best. Too bad I can't publish it without untangling all those sources (and probably have to pay license fees for some of them).