What I am doing wrong, or ineptly, off-kilter, whatever. . .

[Guest]

Señoras y caballeros:

I have two serious/authorly/writerly/whatever threads that are now on page two here, and with only a few posts each or by just a few people. I thought they had enough content to elicit a variety of responses—good heavens! even a discussion. I could, but won't, name many authors here from whom I'd love to hear an opinion (on those threads).

I have more ideas for threads besides my freaky animal news or National Masturbation Month. Are they worth my time? I do spend time and care trying to make them appealing, clear, open for comments. They don’t seem esoteric or overly academic to me, but I could be wrong, and I want to know.

I can take it, please let me know if I’m just not fitting in here (thread-wise). This is not a complaint, or personal issue, just need a clue.

Thanks, sincerely, Perdita

 

[Guest]

Hi Perdita,

I feel your frutsration, I really do. For me, there are a few factors why I don't get into a particular thread (and not just some of yours). One thing is the actual topic. I am not much of a film buff - at least not of the non-pulp/commercialist type - and, also, the kind of reading I enjoy is of the "pulpy" type.

Another factor is that of time. Some threads take a greater investment of time than others. Yes, I am lazy, and also, I almost always have about five different things going on at once (kids, work, phone, dog, etc) and I often have to re-read things three times, to even take it in.

I hope you don't take the sometime lack of responses personally, because I really believe it isn't you, or even the topics you choose - I do believe it could be the length of the initial posts. Most of us surfers are lazy and have the attention span of a gnat. Ultimately I'm sure I, and others, miss out on some great topics.

You always have some great stuff to say, please, just carry on exactly as you are.

Lou

 

[cloudy]

Perdita, mija,

Your posts/threads are always interesting to me.

One reason I don't always reply is that while some people are early birds, I, on the otherhand, may be awake at an early hour, but not very aware of things. By the time I could come up with a coherent post, someone else has already made the point I would have.

Sometimes I haven't heard/seen what you've posted and wouldn't know what I was talking about if I tried to reply.

I don't think they're overly academic, not at all. I like to be challenged to read new ideas, or think about things in a different way.

Please don't stop posting them! I may not always reply, but I always read and enjoy them!

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Dita,

I'm at home, flat on my back, and not for any fun reason, most of the day. At the moment the time I can spend upright is so limited I cannot read, digest & reply to anything very thoughtful or involved. With luck I'll be able to head home early next week & get back to reading and p[osting regularly.

-Colly

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

I can take it, please let me know if I’m just not fitting in here (thread-wise). This is not a complaint, or personal issue, just need a clue.

Perdita,

This situation may be more evidence that long discourses don't attract as many readers these days as does that accursed "Hemingway-esque" style. Your initial "Bias" post was nearly 900 words long. Due to my being busier than a one-legged man at a butt kicking when it appeared and to our having discussed this before, I didn't respond.

I've just finished Dashiell Hammett's "Red Harvest" and am now on Raymond Chandler's "The High Window." Their discriptions of characters and settings is fantastic-and detailed. But they were writing before WWII, which means before television, video games, and computers.

Just because a style isn't in vogue these days doesn't mean it should be abandoned. There's a time and place for everything and styles do come and go.

So stick to your guns on the style issue and on "thoughtful" threads. After all, while you didn't get a lot of responses to the "Bias" thread, the ones you did receive were a nice example of quality over quantity.

Rumple

 

[rgraham666]

Perdita, there's no need to worry. I just love seeing a thread with your handle pop up. I know it's going to be interesting.

If I haven't posted much on them, it's because I don't feel I have anything to say. It's not because your threads are 'esoteric or overly academic'.

My mind works in strange and mysterious ways. I don't always understand it, and I've been living with it for 48 years.

We tried living apart for a while, but we didn't like it much. So like all long married couples, we've learned to overlook the foibles of the other.

 

[rgraham666]

P.S. I love the new AV

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Well, to tell you the truth, I didn't know what the film guy was talking about. I tend to give movies a wide berth anyway. They're not my thing, and so I also don't pay much attention to film theory. My thoughts were pretty much unprovoked.

The thread on style also seemed kind of vague to me. I mean, there were some interestig observations on authors' styles, but the highlighted text sad:

"The flattening of language is a flattening of meaning. Language which is not taut with a sense of its own significance, which is apologetic in its desire to be acceptable to a modern consciousness ... is no longer a language which can carry the freight the Bible requires. It has, in short, lost all authority ... [It] is a form of language which has died."

Which seems to mean: it's good to write well. Can't much argue with that. To point to an inept translation of the bible as evidence of the Decline of Western Civilization seems pretty much a tempest in a teapot to me.

---dr.M.

 

[mtnman2003]

Some may be esoteric

Perdita:

In chosing threads to read, and most times, considering which to comment on, the title and author of the thread actually plays a key.

Now, I am one of those that generically like a more thoughtful, thought provoking, stimulating thread. Do I respond? Often, but depends on the mood.

At the same time, the author or instigator of the thread plays the most important role for me. I see a "core" of authors that I know will interest me, from throughtful, and fun to frovolity. I check in, and determine whether I can add anything or not. Then I look to where in the thread I am. I like early participation, but have been very late as well-only because of hours online. Luck of the draw I guess.

When a thread is offered by you, I know that it will be longer, have more depth, and elicit some good thoughtful responses. Given my time availability will then take precedence.

All this doesn't say much huh. Oh Hell Dita, keep posting. I love to read your materials!!!!

Mtn

 

[Black Tulip]

I usually have a look but I'll tell you a secret:

I find it sometimes difficult to understand, let alone make a comment that makes sense.

I trust you will carry on, without letting the illiterate bother you.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Oh P...I love your big brain.
I get lost on some of the threads about writing but I think that is because I'm more concered with what I'm reading than how it is written, but keep posting, never hurts to learn new things.

Now talk about movies.....I'm there baby!

~A~

 

[CharleyH]

Señoras y caballeros:

I have two serious/authorly/writerly/whatever threads that are now on page two here, and with only a few posts each or by just a few people. I thought they had enough content to elicit a variety of responses—good heavens! even a discussion. I could, but won't, name many authors here from whom I'd love to hear an opinion (on those threads).

I have more ideas for threads besides my freaky animal news or National Masturbation Month. Are they worth my time? I do spend time and care trying to make them appealing, clear, open for comments. They don’t seem esoteric or overly academic to me, but I could be wrong, and I want to know.

I can take it, please let me know if I’m just not fitting in here (thread-wise). This is not a complaint, or personal issue, just need a clue.

Thanks, sincerely, Perdita

I haven't been here for more one or two posts this week. I Post for different reasons depending on mood, and also depending on how long a post is. Sometimes, I have just edited 5 stories from other places, or have spent a whole day researching some huge issue, or writing and so just want a fun post. Other times, if I feel like I can concentrate and add some cool discussion, then I will - I have had cramps for fucking days and I can't concentrate!!!! I can only cry at everything Don't bug me! (tears streaming).

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your comments (and compliments). Given the reasons and excuses above I have to say I am disappointed, but grateful finally for the truth.

I can be lazy at times, but not when I reply thoughtfully to your non-silly threads. It seems reciprocation is fleeting. So, aside from entertaining a few persons it does not seem worth my time and effort to continue in this vein. (That's my reality, not meant to be sarcastic or facetious.)

By the way, the one thread was not meant to be about film but about how those ideas applied to writing.

Perdita

 

[CharleyH]

Thanks for your comments (and compliments). Given the reasons and excuses above I have to say I am disappointed, but grateful finally for the truth.

I can be lazy at times, but not when I reply thoughtfully to your non-silly threads. It seems reciprocation is fleeting. So, aside from entertaining a few persons it does not seem worth my time and effort to continue in this vein. (That's my reality, not meant to be sarcastic or facetious.)

By the way, the one thread was not meant to be about film but about how those ideas applied to writing.

Perdita

Well I don't know P . . .your posts are always an interesting read, but if you want a discussion, and this is me being me in an always kind, respectful and honest manner: why not BEFORE, for example posting an article, ask some questions about what you feel? About your opinion, which is always intelligent and thought provoking? I read all your posts - I sometimes just don't post to them. I WOULD post more often if you asked questions before my reading I would because then I would know what to look for, and how to respond Your posts require thinking - which is a GREAT THING!!!!

Um - hope I am making sense? And I really hope you keep posting, and don't leave me - I'm emotional enough!!!!!

 

[Guest]

and don't leave me - I'm emotional enough!!!!!

Charlus, I'd never leave you .

I'll think on what you said. I thought my questions and reason for posting were implicit. I don't see why I should have to spell things out for "writers".

Thanks, P.

 

[CharleyH]

Charlus, I'd never leave you .

I'll think on what you said. I thought my questions and reason for posting were implicit. I don't see why I should have to spell things out for "writers".

Thanks, P.

THANK GOD! Nonetheless - I also have to say that certain posts occupy me - LOL - like your other one, and then, the post goes down the list - LIKE EVERYONE OF MINE - LOL - baby you inject so much here

In which case, why not a thread on semiotics?

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I just wanted to add, lest I come off sounding like an ungratful boor, that I do appreciate the things you post, Perdita, even if I don't always get them.

---dr.M.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I too enjoy your posts Dita. i hope you choose to continue posting.

-Colly

 

[Guest]

Thank you again. I did not mean to imply that I won't be posting anymore, only that it might not be worth the effort of some types of threads. But Charley had a good suggestion re. specific questions and I'll see if I can change my habits. You are all worth it.

Perdita


(edited for minor grammatical error, but major meaning)

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Keep changing av's like that Dita & you are gonna have the planes to SF full

-Colly

 

[Guest]

Keep changing av's like that Dita & you are gonna have the planes to SF full

Ah, so that's what it takes to get responses to my threads.

Thanks, Colly. I only ask for 24-hour notice of arrival times.

Perdita

 

[sweetnpetite]

I think it's the timing. Right now, many of the people you'd probably most like to hear from (this is requiring me to make a wild guess, lol) seem really wrapped up in the Faces and This is so wrong threads. Maybe when the furor of those dies down, some other interesting ideas can have a chance to come out and play

Sweet.

Señoras y caballeros:

I have two serious/authorly/writerly/whatever threads that are now on page two here, and with only a few posts each or by just a few people. I thought they had enough content to elicit a variety of responses—good heavens! even a discussion. I could, but won't, name many authors here from whom I'd love to hear an opinion (on those threads).

I have more ideas for threads besides my freaky animal news or National Masturbation Month. Are they worth my time? I do spend time and care trying to make them appealing, clear, open for comments. They don’t seem esoteric or overly academic to me, but I could be wrong, and I want to know.

I can take it, please let me know if I’m just not fitting in here (thread-wise). This is not a complaint, or personal issue, just need a clue.

Thanks, sincerely, Perdita

 

[sweetnpetite]

I too have found that asking specific questions helpes people to focus their replies. Without asking specifically, most people will read, nod and think- "I have nothing to add" so they don't post. (Of course if you ask a specific question, you can expect about 5 responses before it goes completley off topic, lol )

Sweet.

Thank you again. I did not mean to imply that I won't be posting anymore, only that it might not be worth the effort of some types of threads. But Charley had a good suggestion re. specific questions and I'll see if I can change my habits. You are all worth it.

Perdita


(edited for minor grammatical error, but major meaning)

 

[Svenskaflicka]

I think we're all suffering from a lack of MathGirl.

 

[Guest]

I think we're all suffering from a lack of MathGirl.

Very true for me. I didn't want to post a new threaed but some will see this. She's slowly recovering, trying to gain weight (really big effort for her, the tiny Tim of Lit.) She fears her humour got taken out in the surgery, but I think it will return. At any rate, she doesn't want to come back (here) without it. I have faith in her though.

OK, if you believe in Maths, clap your hands (you know, like for Tinkerbell .

Perdita