Are you a writer? Nah,...I'm a Reader! (1146 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.46 on 17 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by legallady (View user info) at 2004-09-15 11:39:41 EDT
A couple of years ago I went to hear a book reading in Ybor City with my brother.
We were chatting with a few of the writers on the tour and they questioned us concerning
our lives. My brother, Randy was a "day trader" and just lived off his savings for about 2 years
at that time. But these writers seemed to think everyone without a job was a wanna be writer.
One of them asked him,"Are you a writer?" and he responded with pride, "Nah,...I'm a reader"
Which brings me to the point of my post. Ubermaddness.I was totally freaking out about
having an "assignment" after being free from such follies for over 20 years. It kept me up worrying about what I was going to write about...not working
on it...but worrying about it. My perceived need for antidepressants actually kept me from
writing. So as I worked on my client's cases I fretted about my title for 3 or 4 days.
I began writing twice to only change topics as the first paragraph was complete. I thought
about forfeiting, but forced myself to sit down and just get something done.
Using facts from a real situation I wrote a rough draft in 30 minutes and didn't proof read
or let it sit overnight. I just hit that submit key...didn't notice my little paragraph breaks
were missing(not that it would have made an overall difference)..the post sucked.
I immediately voted for the other entry...knowing how much my "writing" sucked and how much I
hated doing it. Realizing that writing contests are not for me. I am a reader and that is
what attracted me to Uber in the first place. Reading the well-written entertaining stories
of others. I would much rather read a novel than write anything, ever.
So I swear I will not ever enter Ubermaddness again. But you will be subjected to my occasional random non-fiction (with some creative license) posts!
I will read and rank... wishing all of you who are truely writers the best of luck in UBERMADDNESS!
THIS IS THE LIST OF BOOKS I HAVE READ SINCE LAW SCHOOL.
Books Read.doc (78 kB) [application/octet-stream]
User Reviews
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-03-21 13:52:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
great list. you have inspired me to start one
Submitted by Vanilla (user info) at 2004-09-30 08:43:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Thanks lady,
Thats exactly what I did in my entry. I couldn't do it. I'm a reader dammit.
Submitted by hairycoo (user info) at 2004-09-30 08:31:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
thats a lot of words to take in.
Submitted by legallady (user info) at 2004-09-15 22:13:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I would have made the font bigger but I wasn't sure how that list
would appear on the post...I didn't want a 9 page post.
Ubermaddness was much more stressful than I expected. But if I had
proof read and sat for two days on my post editing...it would have been
much better. But it was meh...
Submitted by shandythedog (user info) at 2004-09-15 19:36:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
what nonsense talk is this??
are you not the proud winner of the shandy jug of jism???
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2004-09-15 18:45:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I can't believe I read that whole list.
+2 for:
Travels with Charley
The Onion Field
The Fall
Huck Finn
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Tao of Pooh
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Black Pearl
The Body Farm
Winnie the Pooh
A Confederate General from Big Sur (many many many years ago my aunt was Richard Brautigan's "girlfriend"...I think at the time the term would have been used rather loosely).
Submitted by I_Have_a_Kristen_Fetish (user info) at 2004-09-15 18:26:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
This is the first coherent post you've ever made. I'm going to forego the obligatory -2, just this once.
Submitted by Anjie (user info) at 2004-09-15 14:27:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I am just like you, when it comes to reading, and that is also why i'm here. We also have very similar reading tastes. A little bit of everything from Classics to suspense. With every Stephen King and Scott Turow book in there. You list over the last year or so closely resembles mine (if I had written it down)that I printed yours out and will search out the ones that grab my attention.
+2 because I'm not the only one that can't write enough to join UberMadness but love readingposts.
Submitted by tinactin (user info) at 2004-09-15 13:24:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Ehh, as your UM opponent, I cant say I approve this. But, a lot of the books on your list were excellent. So, +1.
Submitted by OneCheapGeek (user info) at 2004-09-15 13:05:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2004-09-15 12:28:59 (#)
Ranking: 0
I think this disqualifies you... you basically gave clues as to which post was yours... didn't you?
-----------------
Have you seen the number of lopsided UM entries? So far she's only given a clue that it wasn't the close one.
But congrats on having the nerve to enter.
Submitted by glasscpp (user info) at 2004-09-15 12:59:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I can't write well/creatively/or whatever either.
Welcome back to lurking!
cheers for at least making the attempt,
glasscpp
Submitted by Monarch (user info) at 2004-09-15 12:58:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Hmmm, I guess you make a valid point. I must say, I've enjoyed having you around rating posts, as you seem to be pretty honest.
All the same, if you don't keep writing, you won't get better. I say you keep trying.
With that list of books you certainly know what good writing looks like. I'm pretty sure learning to write it just takes a little practice.
Submitted by legallady (user info) at 2004-09-15 12:53:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Corn Nugget: I was losing so bad it doesn't matter whether I am disqualified or not. :)
I really didn't think it was going to be so hard to make something up...ahh live
and learn.
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2004-09-15 12:28:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I think this disqualifies you... you basically gave clues as to which post was yours... didn't you?
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2004-09-15 12:12:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
You kept a LIST of books you've read? That's kinda wierd.
As far as a topic is concerned, maybe Shlongy can help you out, seeing that I am a veritable wealth of information.
How about writing about your fantasies concerning me?
Submitted by AshK (user info) at 2004-09-15 12:05:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Naslund even. sheesh.
Submitted by AshK (user info) at 2004-09-15 12:04:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I think I am more reader than writer as well. We will see how my first Uber title goes.
I didn't get very far on your LARGE list.
Have you read Ahab's Wife by Sena Nausland? It is excellent.