“Books aren’t written—they’re rewritten. Including your
own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially
after the seventh rewrite hasn’t quite done it.” —Michael Crichton
Recently I refused, at least temporarily, to answer some questions on someone else’s blog. The person who asked the questions felt that I should be able to state my own position easily. I tried to explain: Knowing something and writing it as a fool-proof argument are different.
I’ve said this before. No one writes something great the first time. If a much-published author like Crichton knows this it must be true. We rewrite and rewrite and rewrite, trying to get it right. On blogs we just write. No wonder we’re so confusing in what we say. 
11 comments
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February 9, 2008 at 1:38 am
Lou (Linda)
No wonder! And although this comment has little to do with your post, I tried out the new referrals summary that wordpress has set up, and by far, I get the most traffic from your blog, so THANKS!
p.s. I have over 150 posts I’m working on. Many I just can’t get “right” and no matter how many times I rewrite and rewrite, I can’t even make sense to myself at what I’m trying to convey!
Everyone once in awhile I go through my drafts and laugh, because I’ve completely forgotten what I was trying to say at all! Delete!
February 9, 2008 at 9:06 am
Sherry Chandler
[...] thought is nicely echoed by Helen Losse’s speculations of why we’re so confusing: Recently I refused, at least temporarily, to answer some questions on someone else’s blog. The [...]
February 9, 2008 at 10:27 am
helenl
Hi Lou, Glad you’re getting more traffic. Your blog is so great. Maybe I’ll feature you here and try to send some folks your way. But I promise it won’t be in February. I am crazy-busy right now.
Thanks for the ping-back, Sherry.
BTW, Lou and Sherry, I don’t know how to do the new referrals or ping-backs. With a few tools, I’d be real dangerous. I’m a blabber-mouth as is.
February 9, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Karen Hopper
Ah, the world of blogging. Each person perceives words in a different light. I appreciate individuality, even if at times it is confusing. How often have I had trouble saying what I really meant. It does sometimes take time to explain, although some people quit “hearing” after the first posting. Great thought Helen.
February 9, 2008 at 1:20 pm
helenl
Thanks, Karen. There is more to each of us than meets the eye. Some of our greatest friends may have made a bad first impression. May we all look to learn.
February 9, 2008 at 6:32 pm
judyrose
Hi Helen,
I think you may be talking about the discussion between the two of us over at Bookworm’s blog. I wasn’t looking for “fool-proof” and I wasn’t looking for perfection. Michael Crichton (an author whose work I like) is talking about writing books for publication – books that people have to pay for. It’s not what we’re doing here on these blogs and it’s not an apt analogy. If fool-proof statements were required in conversation, nobody would ever say a word.
My point was (and still is) this: you are clearly a very articulate person and a good writer. You hold certain values and opinions which you have shared. I think it is reasonable to believe that you have given much thought the formation of those values and opinions. I assumed they are based on a foundation of core principles. Because I disagree with you so profoundly, I was trying to get down to some core principles with what I though were basic questions. I was surprised that you were not ready to answer at that moment, and have not yet answered. I understand the desire to organize your ideas so that you can explain them clearly. And you certainly have the right not to answer questions that are put to you. However you joined the blog discussion voluntarily, so I am under the impression you like to discuss these things.
Here I am over at your blog as you requested. I’d still like to hear your answers, and although I expect we’ll disagree, I will respect you enough not to try to win you over to my side.
For reference, the questions were these: Do you believe in the concept of self defense? Do you believe it is moral to hold your own life in higher regard than the life of your attacker? Do you believe you have a moral right to defend and protect your children from a violent attack, even if it means you have no choice but to kill the attacker? I understand you would always rather find an alternative to violence, but do you think it is ever justified?
February 9, 2008 at 6:38 pm
helenl
Judy, Thanks for coming to my blog and posing the questions here. I will post answers on this blog by Tuesday. This is the most insanely busy month of my life. That’s hyperbole.
Please check back and feel free to comment often.
February 9, 2008 at 6:55 pm
judyrose
Thank you Helen. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
February 9, 2008 at 7:08 pm
helenl
You’re welcome, Judy.
February 10, 2008 at 12:24 am
helenl
And maybe a part me says, “You know, you can edit at any time on your blog. You can fix an error.” An error in a comment on Bookworm’s blog lives in cyberspace forever. How I hate that.
February 11, 2008 at 3:31 pm
judyrose
I know what you mean. I’m very careful before I push the “submit” button to read and re-read what I’ve written. I like to be confident that it really says what I want to say, and that it doesn’t contain any mistakes.