THE WRITER'S DEN

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A Commentary on Comments

The Mandate of the Writer’s Den was originally supposed to be ‘newsflashes, bits of info on writing, experimental stories, and general life experiences.’ 

It appears that lately that’s changed; I’ve become a sort of ‘writing cheerleader’ and ‘inspirational Sherpa’.  Now, that’s wonderfully cathartic and spontaneous and all, but since I’m doing all this cheerleading I figured that there’d be more, um, feedback.  Feedback is good; it lets a writer know they're not alone, and that they're having some sort of impact on the reader.

 I mean, I thought writers (most of you are writers, aren’t you?) were big-mouthed narcissists, loud and verbose and opinionated (At least I am), and I always envisioned a blog where dialogue was open and free, where ideas and inspiration and debate were bandied about, insults hurled; in short, more opining! I’ve had 14,000 views on this blog since it went live in July 2009, and about 80 comments, so the odds are I’m probably just blowing rhetorical smoke most of the time (I’d be left speechless by my own posts too, were I you) and I probably don’t leave much to comment on, making me the actual narcissist. 

I suppose I can handle tacit and quiet readers, I’m quite used to talking to myself anyhow. I’m curious though; do many of you get comments on your own blogs? Do you comment on other blogs? Cat got your tongue? Is it just me? (I fear so.)

What’s in store at the Den in 2011 … and Beyond! 

 I’m a tweaker; any changes I make tend to be slow and ponderous, kind of like cautiously poking an animal carcass with a stick. You may have noticed that annoying banner at the top of my posts, the one that says Wiki-Den? That’s my subtle attempt at a ‘home page’ type thingy, where I can archive all my posts, links, and all that good stuff. So far it’s been good; I don’t know how useful it is to any of my readers, since no one tells me anything (No comment!)

Also, after 2 years of blank stares, I have finally heeded some of the advice that many bloggers spout ad nauseum; CONTENT IS KING (Until it abdicates!) so I figure that if I can’t inform you all the time, I’ll entertain you, and vice versa. Don’t know if it’s working (do let me know? Leave a comment? Hmm??)

Having said that, let me comment (ahem) on this very post, called, appropriately, The Wednesday Post. I had been perusing my Blogger Stats and found that one of my most viewed posts was for a Wednesday Post I did 6 months ago. Due to my relatively slow nature I did not catch on that maybe people would want to read a newsletter type thing, posted once a week on the same day, on schedule (another good Blog tip: have a scheduled posting so people know where to find fresh words) but I would never have figured this out since no one talks to me or leaves a comment.

The ‘newsletter’ type post is one of my great loves; it allows me to post humorous bits, wordplay, and funny stuff, and also allows me to let you know what’s happening in that strange little place that is David Hunter’s universe.

Disclaimer: If you think I’m being whiny about this ‘comment’ thing, I can assure you it’s all in jest; I love each and every one of you who comes by and reads this blog, even if you don’t leave a comment (I never give up, do I?)

Random Samplings for your Consideration:

Words you think are nice but wouldn’t use in a sentence

 (or maybe you would, who knows?)

USUFRUCT: a legal right to use and derive profit from property belonging to someone else provided that the property itself is not injured in any way

USURY: an exorbitant or unlawful rate of interest

USURP: assume: seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession

ZUGZWANG: (German for "compulsion to move", ) A situation in a chess game in which a player is forced to make an undesirable or disadvantageous move.

OPPUGN: To assail with argument

KNEESIES: To press one’s knees against another person's knees.

BUGBEAR: An object or source of fear

BUNGHOLE: A hole in a barrel or keg

UNCTUOUS: (of a person) Excessively or ingratiatingly flattering; oily: "anxious to please in an unctuous way".

PLAUDIT:  An expression of praise

PLENUM:  A space considered as fully occupied by matter

PLEONASM:  The use of needless words.

PLICA: A fold of skin

SAPID: Pleasant to the taste

GESTALT:  A unified whole

GEWGAW:  A showy trinket

FLATUS:  Intestinal gas

PLOSION:  A release of breathe after the articulation of certain consonants. 

DISPORT:  To amuse oneself

Odious Phrase of the Week 

"Results-Oriented Business" 

Comment: Is there a business that is not 'results-oriented'? Duh.

(I'm guilty of using this phrase too.)

William Faulkner || In His Own Words

 ❝ Read, read, read.  Read everything - trash, classics, good and bad, and  see how they do it.  Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice  and studies the master.  Read!  You'll absorb it.  Then write.❞  

༺༻  William Faulkner

T w i t t e r - C e n t r i c

I'd like to thank a few people for inspiring me this week ...

@LaynaPimentel - Who is always writing, and inspires me to get off my ass and get something done.

@LornaSuzuki - Talented 'Imago' writer who heaps praise on me (And thus, inspires greatly)

@Auteur_Geek - Who seems to always have my back, even when I'm being accused of politicizing tragedy, as one Twitter follower did this week.

Okay, that's all for now folks, I'm outta here; got some more writing to do.  Stay tuned for the Writer's Den Weekend Edish (Possibly) and keep scribbling.  Also, please leave a comment if you so desire, it's free, and I don't bite (maybe)

PS: Will someone please click 'follow' and become the 200th member of the Live Writer's Society? That 199 is unnerving! You get no prize, and you get no praise; all you get is me! Take care now ...

"It's like the Penguin said, we gotta make that move towards redemption" 

~ Elwood Blues