[stylist] Apology - Reasons for a Separate Reading List
vejas
brlsurfer at gmail.com
Thu Dec 8 15:33:11 UTC 2011
But reading does help with writing, 'cuz you get to look at style
of writing.
----- Original Message -----
From: <neil.butters at sympatico.ca
To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Thu, 8 Dec 2011 10:28:41 -0500
Subject: Re: [stylist] Apology - Reasons for a Separate Reading
List
Hello,
There are a few reasons I can think of that would relegate book
discussions
to another list.
First, reading itself doesn’t improve writing, much like
listening to music
doesn’t make you a musician or eating makes you a chef.
Second, should topics like “My favorite ten authors†or
“The best romance
novels of the last decade†be discussed on a writing list? I
don’t think
they are relevant, yet we will get those types of posts. We
would always
have the question of relevance, but a separate mailing list would
eliminate
the controversy. The other solution would be to allow any and
all
discussions about books.
The third problem is that every one of us likes to read, and we
aren’t
looking at it from the other perspective. What if some NFB
members want to
discuss books but have no interest in writing? Is it right to
make them join
a group that may only sometimes discuss what interests them? I
can’t be
sure, but I think many groups that discuss books do not also
discuss
writing, much like a film lovers group not posting about how to
light an
outdoor scene at night. I am fairly sure if this had been the
reverse – that
is, the NFB Writers Group were the NFB Reading Group – and
someone suggested
that it be expanded to include how-to-write discussions, that
many people
would have no interest in writing and would want to make a
separate writing
list. And I think a valid argument can be made for that.
I just bring these up as points to consider. I still think we
can expand to
include book discussions on this list because books can be
discussed with
the writing aspect in mind, and we will need to accept some posts
that
simply say things like “I like Harry Potter. Everyone should
read those
books.â€
Neil
-----Original Message-----
From: James H. "Jim" Canaday M.A. N6yr
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 11:27 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Apology on book discussion/review forum
proper use of the subject lines means that those who oppose this
addition to
stylist can skip those book review messages.
jc
At 02:10 PM 12/7/2011, you wrote:
Eve and others,
I think you misunderstand my intentions and what I'm trying to
accomplish. I do recognize that I was too strong in this reply,
but
please understand my intentions.
Trying to be devil's advocate, and also disagreeing with certain
views,
I have only tried to encourage the thought that discussing
published
material is very instrumental to the writing process, and I tried
to
pull an answer from those so adament that Stylist is not the
appropriate
forum for such a discussion. Based solely on the opposed
arguments, and
how the opposition has defined Stylist, and based on what I
understand
the purpose of Stylist to be, I want to know why this idea is so
strongly opposed by a few.
I'm not questioning your intellect, your own writing, your
person, but
only your argument specific to this discussion. In my opinion, I
have
yet to be convinced as to why this idea is so wrong for Stylist,
and I
want to better understand opposing points of view. Yes, based on
this
argument alone, I do believe I'm right, but this doesn't mean I
think
I'm always right, or that no one else has, or can, state their
opinions
and views. This is not to hush others up or stop the flow of
exchanging
ideas and opinions; I enjoy and respect the democratic sesibility
of
this listserve, and based on my own past experiences with
Stylist, I in
no way wish for others to feel bullied or deter you from posting
opinions and ideas. Regardless of the intent, those opposing
this idea
have out-right said that discussing published work doesn't belong
on
Stylist, and most of us believing the opposite, I'm trying to get
us all
to consider the point, and I still fail to understand your point
of view
and want better clarity on that view.
If my comments have been taken on a personal level other than
against an
argument, I apologize, and know this never has been my goal. I
may have
been blunt and too strong, but I only did so to attempt to open
all of
us to this idea, and I have been frustrated that a few seem to
jump to
the conclusion that this idea in any form doesn't belong on
Stylist, and
it doesn't appear as though alternate conclusions have been
considered.
I accept Robert's appointment, and am eager to see what we can
make of
this, but whether or not this idea is implemented is not the
basis for
my argument; I truly do not understand, and yes, have been
frustrated,
why there's such a strong opposition to this idea. I do feel the
arguments against this idea are weak, and again, based on my
understanding of Stylist, and what I have been taught is a part
of the
writing process, I tried to place my reasoning alongside the
points I
question. If this has been interpreted as me attacking on a
personal
level, or me thinking I'm superior, I assure you this has never
been a
part of my response to any of you.
I know I've gone too far, but it's only because I fail to
understand
some of the reasoning behind the opposition, and holding an
opinion can
never be faulted. And perhaps I have misunderstood some of you.
Whether
it was meant or not, I've read over and over how discussing
published
material isn't the type of discussion belonging on Stylist, and
that we
should only be sharing our own writing and suggestions and tips
in which
to improve our own writing. This is what I, and others, are
taking from
the opposing views. Seeing as I believe discussing published
material is
instrumental and beneficial to the writing process, I have
attempted to
get others to realize this, or at least consider it, and I want a
better
understanding from the opposition.
I'm sorry if I haven't made my intent clear, or if I have
offended in
any way. Know that I don't believe myself superior to anyone, or
that my
opinion is always the only and right one. Disagreeing with
anyone is not
a reflection on what I think about a person as an individual or
what
abilities and talents they may have. If any of this has been
implied, I
haven't made my point clear, and I've been too strong in my
argument. I
am sorry to you Eve, and to anyone else who feels I've been too
strong.
I know what it feels like to be cornered and bullied, and I truly
don't
wish that on anyone especially with a community of people who
have such
diverse backgrounds and a lot to offer. I respect our differing
point of
views and and individual arguments and opinions as much as I
respect the
contributions made to Stylist.
Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
Message: 34
Date: Tue, 6 Dec 2011 22:05:16 -0700
From: Eve Sanchez <3rdeyeonly at gmail.com
To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book discussion/review forum
Message-ID:
<CACdbYKVuGc1pZjUu1khY-25QLaFJYnVsDjJrTqF7EBLE0L_Nug at mail.gmail.c
om
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Wow Bridget, why so hostile. I never said I was opposed. An
opinion was
asked for and I gave it. I believe that having a separate list
serve
will
give the opportunity to bring in more people and I stand by my
opinion.
I
am not annoyed by your suggestions, just your attitude that
everyone who
disagrees with it is is wrong. Also I did not know that the
writer's
list
serve was only for critiquing and showing our work. I have
gotten much
information from here that has been shared on other subjects. I
am sorry
I
have not shared my work or commented on yours. I do not have
time for
that,
but that does not mean I am not a REAL writer and I am offended
by your
implication. I guess if my opinion is taken so harshly I will
refrain
from
giving it in future. Eve Sanchez
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