Comments on: Damn Write (Reloaded)

By: CrispRex

CrispRex — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:24:00 +0000

Here’s a possible topic: Grey Walter and his robotic turtles, not to mention him inventing the EEG. I think he also discovered the P300 wave that mysteriously appears whenever you make a decision, as well as alpha, beta, gamma, delta and theta brainwaves. After Tesla, I consider Walter the most Unsung Hero of Science. PS: Love this site.

By: Anthropositor

Anthropositor — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:53:39 +0000

My opinions often leak into my writings. I do not consider myself a journalist or reporter, but a communicator or commentator who does something to persuade, at least some of the time. I solicit no clients and generally turn away most who seek me out, unless I find that their project has some redeeming value. If I help, it is as a consultant/critic/revisionist/editor. Perhaps mentor is the best word, or coach. I never accept ghost writing credits or a byline. I would rather work with a person with a really good idea, without all the requisite skills to bring it to fruition, than a more skilled person without the nugget of a good idea.

I prefer to teach chess, using it as a vehicle to greater proficiency in other areas… a martial arts sport for the mind.

This blog is interesting. It is entertainment. It is popular. I think it can be more. I hope so. Time will tell.

By: da5id

da5id — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:37:38 +0000

I couldn’t find anywhere more appropriate to add this comment so I would like to say as a new registrant, I found the registration process the easiest ever — does anyone ever fill out those multiple page questionnaires utilized on some sites with any veracity in the first instance? The remainder of the website design, with the kind of pop-out dialogues with translucence is very utilitarian and elegant. Kudos for all involved.

By: Snapdragyn

Snapdragyn — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 17:38:09 +0000

[quote]Radiatidon said: “If you have never written nor been published, here are some starting tips.

1. Pick a title and research, research, research. Use caution if you cannot verify a source. Hearsay will kill your article.

2. Write the article start-to-finish. You will polish it later.

3. Can you read the 1st draft of the article out loud without stumbling through it? If you stumble, fix the potholes.

4. Record yourself reading it, play it back. When you listen to it, does it flow? Note: most people hate how they sound recorded. Who cares what you sound like, you are more interested if the article flows and holds your attention. If not, edit the boring sections.

5. Pass copies out to some friends. Tell them to please be brutal and not hold back. This helps you to overcome unknown writing weakness. Ask them what they thought of the idea, Interesting or yawns-ville. Use their comments to fix the problems, strengthen the weakness.

6. Be sure you don’t have a redundant writer’s voice, voice being how you write, your poise. Make sure your writing does not drone on, like some speakers. No variance in voice, just a long boring drone. Zzzz. If so, spice it up. I think we all had enough schoolbook text induced nappy-times.

Once it passes the six steps above, submit it.”[/quote]

I appreciate your helpful insights. Even those not talented enough to write up an article “off-the-cuff” should be given the opportunity to improve their skills. If you want to write something great you have to work at it, and as you practice your speed will increase until these steps become a natural part of your work. What is listed here isn’t that difficult. I realize this comment is coming after everyone is probably finished with this topic, but I wanted to put my two bits in anyway. Thank you for the advice.

By: RancidM

RancidM — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 16:12:45 +0000

Just a quick thank you to Radiatidon for them helpful hints.
Maybe all is not lost………..now i just need a topic that is both interesting and i know something about….

amazing how quickly the mind can go blank isnt it.

By: Tink

Tink — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:12:14 +0000

[quote]tday said: “What really amazes me is that I’m associating with people who are so ashamed of their own names that they have to make up monikers like, rabidmonkeychick, and Meathammer.
I would suggest changing your alias before writing a serious article or risk damaging your own integrity .
Great site though, keep it up.”[/quote]

“Giggle” Are you Gene Shalit? ;-)

By: Kao_Valin

Kao_Valin — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:28:43 +0000

Interesting that you don’t use your real name either. It is also interesting to jump to the conclusion that shame is associated with the choice of names. For all you know meathammer could be a professional butcher or chef that is known the world over for *snickers* beating his meat tender. Meathammer could be so proud of this profession that it was immediately thought up in accordance to this pride and selfconfidence.

To judge content first according to the by-line and second according to the article content would be utter madness when it causes ones to ignore something that was truely DI.

By: Nicki the Heinous

Nicki the Heinous — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:26:03 +0000

[quote]Radiatidon said: “Lets not go into how a tri-angle ruler gave me my distinctive caveman brow…”[/quote]

Let’s. Most of my scars were caused by embarassing mishaps, so you’re not alone on that front. A rather large one on my forehead was caused by diving off my bunk-bed to my sister’s adjacent bed. This was my traditional bratty-little-sister way of waking her in the morning. I forgot that morning that she and her bed had moved to another room in the house and had been replaced by a rather large dresser. Oops. Gee, I wonder why she moved out of my room? ha ha ha