November

[evilbeard]

I read an essay at Salon detailing why NaNo is a waste of time and that non-writers should just give it up and accept their non-writer status. Unfortunately it was like a box cutter across the gut and now I am standing here in shock watching my motivation spill out onto my shoes.

Comments

[faerieem]

I should go read that. I am a non-writer in that I don't write. But I consider myself a writer in that I know I can and should. So fuck salon. I don't nano for a hundred reasons that are mostly snobbish and/or lazy.

[evilbeard]

Her reasons were hating it were mostly snobbish as well.

Here's a link: http://www.salon.com/books/writing/?story=/books/laura_miller/2010/11/02/nanowrimo

[faerieem]

I hunted it down & found it. Mine are not like hers. Mine are more like everyone I know doing it writes slash fiction & I'm not sure a nation of slash fiction novelists is something I'm into. But that's kind of a personal bent.

[gadget_girl]

well obviously if you can't be the best at something you should just not ever do it. screw any personal enjoyment a person might get, even if it's just "I set myself a challenge and then met it." god it's that attitude that had me too terrified to do anything I wanted to most of my life. it's only in the past few years I pulled my head out of my ass, and hey look, now I'm a professional baker, something I'd always wanted but never thought I'd be good enough for, since I'm very obviously not the best. I've never been happier to be proven so wrong.

[xrthx]

Was going to comment, but you said everything I wanted to say! Except I'm not a professional baker... not yet anyhow...

[evilbeard]

Oh hi Ruthie. Long time no see. Did you switch schools and become a Patisserie Major? =)

[evilbeard]

so there is hope.

[st_ranger]

“Pay no attention to what the critics say. A statue has never been erected in honor of a critic.” Jean Sibelius

[evilbeard]

Though they may erect one some day to Roger Ebert and poor Jean will be a laughing stock.

[st_ranger]

Someone should make a bronze statue of the two of them wrestling, nude, in the graeco-roman style.

[evilbeard]

each with one thumb up and one thumb down

[anonymous]

If I had listened to the critics I never would have had a chance at becoming one of the Chips Ahoy dancers. I was second string to the Chipndale dancers and while they did it for money I was up on stage shaking what Momma gave me for a chance to be taken home and have chocolate chip cookie dough thrown at me all night long. Those were some good times. ;-)
David Leon Haack

[evilbeard]

Dave, you are blowing my fucking mind. Honestly, I never thought I would see or hear from you again. I'm really glad you're still alive and seem to have retained a sense of humor despite what you've been through.

If you feel like talking more you can drop me a line at evilbeard34@hotmail.com.

wow. dude.

[anonymous]

Did you read the other post to your search for me? I'm still wondering about who "a former Mrs. Haack" was. Just to let you know you have always been more like family than a friend. I always kept you and the rest of the ones I love a secret so the rest of the worlds I've walked through can't contiminate the special quality you have. By the way, It is completely insane how many David Haacks there are but there is only one me. I does make dematerializing very efficient just too many false trails to follow. I'm proud you still remain you.
David Leon Haack

[evilbeard]

Well the only "former" Mrs. Haack I know of for sure is Jen and I always figured that's who it was.

As for the many Dave Haack's you aren't kidding. I tried looking for you a couple times on the net but eventually figured if you were incognito you probably wanted to stay that way.

And Austin? That's a bit far to go get a beer or some coffee and catch up but I'm sure we can figure something out.

Man it sure is good to know you're alive.

[fitfool]

Bah. Not everyone's the same. Sounds like NaNo wouldn't work for that Salon writer but it doesn't mean that others don't get something out of it.

[evilbeard]

I am easily derailed with stuff like this. If I were an artist I would have to be the kind that does not read reviews or else I would be a mess.

[fitfool]

But wait...I don't get the impression you're easily swayed by other people's opinions in real life about say what you should be doing at work or how to spend your time... Is it just in the creative realm that it matters to you?