tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716167623179741489.post2416090269210177655..comments2023-10-07T07:48:50.326-04:00Comments on Ellena's Cocologie: Can't fall asleep thoughtsEllenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14965850008354379369noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716167623179741489.post-20091680407930516622012-11-30T09:34:33.515-05:002012-11-30T09:34:33.515-05:00RR! Who has improved, no, I should say changed her...RR! Who has improved, no, I should say changed here? I understood each and every word of your comment and will try to remember your kind advice when writing.<br />No harm done using this torch at our age.Ellenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14965850008354379369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716167623179741489.post-71295465784592655842012-11-30T07:36:58.675-05:002012-11-30T07:36:58.675-05:00Just re-read Graham Greene's sort of autobiogr...Just re-read Graham Greene's sort of autobiography A Sort Of Life. He reflects on revising his novels; in the early days he found himself cutting out material, latterly adding it in. This is a lesson I've only just learned and you may find it useful if, as you say, words don't come handily. In paring down we end up with structures that can no longer be elaborated; every word bears a specific function, the sentence is strung up tight, and there's no room to even insert one more adjective. Pruning is good, of course, we need tight declarative sentences. But we also need the freedom to expand what we have to say if we find the need. The answer is to add more sentences, not fiddle about with those already there. Thus rather than sweat it out, trying to come up with an exact word, we can in a sense "describe" our addition. There are certain caveats and it isn't a licence to run off at the mouth. The newly added sentence should be as tight as those surrounding it. I offer it because it's an option that often gets forgotten.<br /><br />I mentioned lying awake at night, trying to write sonnets in my head, to my wife. She bought me a tiny torch and allowed me permission to use it for bedside notes. Since then I've slept better.Roderick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16828395545197001637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716167623179741489.post-86088292369291035182012-11-28T08:58:35.991-05:002012-11-28T08:58:35.991-05:00Sabine, Rouchswalwe and Halle!
Thank you all so mu...Sabine, Rouchswalwe and Halle!<br />Thank you all so much for your support.<br />I did not write this with the intent to solicit a dose of Feeling Safe,from you, dear friends. There have been other instances where I promised to embrace what is. I do so again. Ellenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14965850008354379369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716167623179741489.post-49646746316901678542012-11-27T22:46:32.649-05:002012-11-27T22:46:32.649-05:00My wishes echo Sabine and Rouchswalwe. I would mis...My wishes echo Sabine and Rouchswalwe. I would miss you Ellena. Your stories and observations have lightened and enlightened. So thank you, and I hope you will not worry about your posts and keep them public.Hallehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03847654451426257182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716167623179741489.post-75092704972782617692012-11-27T18:52:53.376-05:002012-11-27T18:52:53.376-05:00I am with Sabine in hoping to read many more of yo...I am with Sabine in hoping to read many more of your stories and experiences. Yet I understand too what you are saying here, dear Ellena. I watched my sweet Mama struggle with English throughout her life, especially written English. She would write drafts first, for school excuses, for greeting cards, etc. I would be on hand to help, but it brought up the age-old picture of the immigrant parent and the fluently bilingual child. In addition, we who read this blog are not family, and sometimes you want to write for their eyes and their hearts alone. I understand this. If you do decide to make this blog available to your family only, I hope and plead with you that you will still visit all of our blogs on occasion. I would miss you terribly if you were to withdraw completely. At least if I could look forward to a comment from you on my blog from time to time, my heart would be gladdened. Rouchswalwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01393987883437907945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716167623179741489.post-2196586826563779532012-11-27T16:04:25.988-05:002012-11-27T16:04:25.988-05:00Come on, I am waiting!Come on, I am waiting!Sabinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09015827501648296977noreply@blogger.com