All Kinds of Stuff
February 6th, 2008
I just found a new quote to add to my collection, thought I’d share. Enjoy.
“Whoever battles monsters should take care not to become a monster too, for if you stare long enough into the Abyss, the Abyss stares also into you.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, chapter 4, no. 146
I can’t begin to tell what an unbelievably good mood I’m in tonight. I’ve nearly finished rewriting two chapters of one of my stories that I’d taken a break from and I’ve finally narrowed down my list of submitting places for a particular piece to two. I’ve heard of people submitting the same thing to multiple places at once but I just don’t think I can. There’s a chance of complications if I was lucky that both accepted it and the matter of first time publishing rights.
I’m having a small problem figuring one this out though. A lot of places I’ve looked at ask for a short biography, most being specific enough to say a one to two line biography. What the heck should I put in one of those? I know what they are but how does one decide what to write in one? If I had something previously published I might mention that but alas since I haven’t… well, yeah.
On a minor side note that’s just important enough to me that I’ll mention it but just unimportant enough that I don’t care if anyone reads it (yes, I’m feeling rather wordy tonight): I’m thinking of going back through all my old posts and adding labels. Honestly, it’s not really for the sake of navigation it just sounds like something fun and meaningless to do. I’ve been working hard these past few days so I think I should throw something completely useless in there to even things out. :)
Some good news- I’ve only had to use the new inhaler a couple of times and already I’m feeling a lot better. Right now (literally) is the first time in two days I’ve felt the chest pressure and from the way it feels I know it’s only momentary. I haven’t been having all day attacks either, just most of the day ones and even a couple of short ones. I had a super bad one the other day but I had been provoked by stress, smoke, and things smashing around me but that’s a very long story that this writer actually doesn’t feel like sharing.
Speaking of which… you know I feel a like my fingers are ADHD at the moment? In a good way of course, anyway, back to my original corrupted train of thought.
There was a comment today that made me think about something and I’d like to share it with you while hoping she doesn’t mind. :)
Liara Covert wrote: “…Dear Written Whispers,
Just because you do not have a published bestseller, or your name isn’t a household name, doesn’t mean you’re “not a writer”"….
This reminds me of something I wrote a long time ago to a friend of mine and have written quite a few times to myself though as it seems I am bound to forget from time to time that I ‘am’ a writer. What I said went roughly along these lines and I’m sure if I wasn’t so lazy at the moment I could actually find it in my posts:
If someone walks up to you and asks if you are a writer- think about it for a moment. Do you write? Do you love to put words together and create something? Do you feel passion when putting a story together? If the answer is yes to any of those then your total answer is yes. You are a writer.
Some people may say “No, I’m not because I’m not published.” Now I’m going to ask you to think about this. What do we call people who are published? We call them authors, do we not? Is the person asking if you are an author? No. They asked if you are a writer. Big difference.
Writer’s may not always be authors but authors are always writers. We scribe’s of the subtle art sometimes forget that even though we try to make the connection full circle it’s not the authorship that matters. Yes, we do have a monumental desire often to share our work with others, I’m the first to admit it, but it’s the writing that counts.
When we are young (as most of us are when it happens) and we first discover that we enjoy making stories or putting words together till the pretty pictures in our minds come alive we aren’t thinking about the money, the small chance at fame, the idea that our words might be bound in a pretty cover with out name on it and sold in stores. Most of the time when we start out we don’t even know that’s an option we just know how much we love our craft. In those days we have no trouble calling ourselves writers.
Then, alas, we grow up in one form or another, some less than others and when this happens the world closes in around us and we find ourselves needing to make money. We have to have ulterior motives in order to do what we love to do and in the end we forget about when we first began to love doing it.
You get my point by now I’m sure.
Life get’s in the way and I’m sad to say I often forget these not so little things but some part of me always remembers and I do my best to keep telling others my view on this topic. To pass along the reminder that we really are writers in hopes that they too will pass it on and in the end we’ll all gain a little more courage at accepting our titles.
On a sad note: I’m still waiting for my Violin but on a happy note I’ve inspired myself to write a story from a Violin’s point of view. Wish me luck with that, I’m sure it’ll be interesting and I’ll definitely be posting it or part of it up on the private blog.
On a much happier note: Today, no, I take that back. Over the course of five or six months I’ve watched two friends of mine grow closer and closer together. Each confiding in me in subtle and not so subtle ways that they liked one another until finally today they admitted it to one another. I’m very happy for them. :)
much (nicely written) to agree with here. :-)
and you found nietsche? ;-) i’ve read that. i’ve “thus spake z”, too, i think.
i remember a time when asked if i was a writer, i would reply, “i write”. it can depend on who’s asking. but yeah, if you write, you are a writer. makes sense, doesn’t it. :-)
the positive affirmations (for self or others) are always a good thing, so keep on keeping on with that. :-)
and thanks for the headsup re 3words. i need to pull my finger out some, but there’s enough there for people to be enjoying. :-)
wonderful news re the inhaler and health. maybe your healthy mind has helped, too? i often find the two SO linked.
tofu.
;-)
Spirit, your biography is a great time to show if you are previously published or how you understand the subject matter of your submission because of any personal experiences which have given you knowledge.
And also mention if you have taken any writing courses to show you are serious about writing.
The trick is to choose the right words to keep it short.
Hugs, JJ
oh! spirit! so many good news at one time. wowwww m glad to know that u r haapy.
the quote u have provided is brilliant. :)
congratulations on completing 2 more chapters. :)
levels….cool gal. but what u can do is that u can add d level application in the cloud form. it will look more good plus it will save much of ur place. just search the net and you will get the html coding for it.
oh! god! u felt the chest pain few days bk! ..relived to know that you are fine now. … but u had a bad one the other day only. so you better take good care of yourself gal. i know you will do so. :)
i totaly agree with Liara Covert.
love for writting is most important. :)
don’t be sad spirit. ur violin is on the way. n wowwww u can paly violin. lovely :) … ok..ok…start ur violin story soon. can’t wait for long darls.
wowwww..two lovebirds confessed their love for each other. wowwww…please pass on my best wishes to them :)
*** thnaks a lot for nominating me darls. whether i win or not doesn’t matter much as long as i win my sprit’s heart. :) you are my one of the sources of inspiration and encouragement. but where can i check the details about it? and whats the result?..i am having butterflies in my stomach. :D
*** hey, dear,..is there any problem with your template alignment?.. it’s not looking good at all and more over it’s very tough to read your blog this way. the top of your page has no post. it’s starting from someway around the mid of the page. plus half of the words are starting from the grey area. please check it out and rectify it as soon as possible.
*** are you getting my mails.??? … please do reply whenever you get the time. i love reading letter’s. :)
***plsssssss remove this word verification darls.. :(
****ok..ok.. i will stop know. i dont want you to get tired of reading my loooooooong comment.
*** love you a lot…lot..lot :)
take good care of yourself.
:) :) :)
So much good. So I’ll keep this short :)
Great post and have a great weekend!
Before I had a publication I would send bio’s such as: I am a student at … or the very first one…I just didn’t put one :) They can read between the lines!
Hi Spirit, Don’t believe the hype! You are a writer. You are one because you actually write and hone your craft. If a carpenter builds furniture, is he not a carpenter because he never sold any of his chairs and tables? Keep up the god work. As far as bios go, think small. You can condense yourself into two lines. It’s tough, but I’ve done it. If you look in any newspaper and read an article by a contributing writer, look at the bottom of their column and see how they wrote it. Take care, feel well, and I’ll talk to you soon. -Mike.
J1M: Wow, I love reading these long comments. :D
Yes, I found Nietsche but it was not in Nietsche’s work. That I have year to see sadly. ;) Oddly enough though since I first posted this quote I have seen the same one five other times in very random places while looking for entirely different things. Quite off but I’m sure it means something.
Very well put on all that jazz. I’m still working on the thinking positively but working on it is a step in the right direction even if it’s the starting line.
I need to get you those sites I have the ones that send your site to search engines. I’m spread too thin across the net as it is and I keep mentally smacking myself for not making it to your site more like I want too.
;) Not sure my mind is healthy but that’s another topic.
-Tofu
Nature Nut: Oh how I’ve missed you. :)
I’m not sure I have anything to write about to be honest. I haven’t taken courses or classes, which makes me sad inside, and I haven’t published anything as of yet. Hmm… but you have given me some to think on nonetheless. Thankies.
Blessed Be :D
Preetilata: Ohhh, another long wonderful comment. :D I love these.
Thankies re the two chapters. :D They’re work but I love it.
Ooo, that’s not a suggestion, tag clouds are always so handy and so much less work.
Yeah, chest pain sucks but it seems to be getting better and better everyday and so long as I keep the inhalor handy I should be fine. I look at it as research for one of my characters now, one who has asthma. :)
Love for writing is more than important. It’s my SOUL! :)
Oh, I can’t play it yet, not more than a couple of notes if I’m lucky and it’s in tune but I will be able to soon. :D:D:D:D:D:D
I shall re the lovebirds. They are so cute together I can’t even begin to describe it. :D
Hmm… I’ll fix my blog here in a sec. I’m an HTML code nerd so no worries, also I’ll send you my other email address I don’t get to check the other one much.
Gotta hurry, peace out.
JC: Hehehehehehe excelent advice. I’m tempted to take it that’s for sure.
Mr. Grudge: Very well put. I might have to quote you. :)I’m deffinetly going to check out some other people’s bios, that should help me. Thankies a ton and blessed be.
You are the author of your work. This means you are an author and a writer. Authors are not only people who publish best-sellers. By offering excuses to distinguish between an author and a writer, you are nurturing self-doubt rather than building confidence. I believe in you. Your blog readers also support you. All you have to do is learn to believe more in yourself. That’s part of why you exist.