Once Upon a Midnight Cheery
by
Marilyn Mackenzie
(Age: 56)
copyright 12-08-2001
Age Rating: 10 to 127
Once Upon a Midnight Cheery
by Marilyn Wilkerson
Before you start sending emails to me, I know that's not how it is written - Once Upon a Midnight Cheery. But, for Ms. Merry Sunshine, that's life.
Even though I awoke in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep again right away, I'm still cheerful. I put my time to good use reading other Marine Life Magazine writers. I wandered the MLM family searching for new writers and new articles by some of my favorite writers.
Perhaps because of the time of year, I’ve neglected reading other authors for a few weeks. Because of that, I was afraid that I might have missed some new writer, someone who might have posted an article or two and having gotten no immediate response, might just as easily have been gone in a flash, leaving all of us poorer for not having experienced that writer. If you are a MLM writer yourself, you might have been the recipient of a comment or word of encouragement at the end of your article in my middle of the night explorations.
Besides reading, I also pondered. I just love that word! Pondering means to consider carefully, to meditate or reflect, to weigh in the mind. That's exactly what I was doing - reflecting and considering carefully whether or not I should write about my ponderings. I decided that I should.
Reading what others have written inspires me. Some articles infuriate me enough to respond with an opposite point of view. Others may offer just a snippet of something I'd like to expand upon. Still others make me think of something else, perhaps not even remotely similar, but all the same they ignite a spark of creativity within me.
As I read some of the wonderful writings of others at MLM, I sadly remembered comments I'd seen from other writers about never having the time to read other writers. How sad that is! A site like this should not become a closed society, a circle of readers and writers only reading and commenting on each other's works of heart. However, I do think it is of utmost importance for each of us to have our minds and hearts expanded by reading the works of others. How else can we learn? How else can we grow? How else can we know that ten others wrote about the same topic just yesterday?
Pity the man who has a favorite restaurant, but not a favorite author. He's picked out a favorite place to feed his body, but he doesn't have a favorite place to feed his mind! - Jim Rohn
The perfecting of one's self is the fundamental base of all progress and all moral development. - Confucius
More thoughts came to mind. (Translated: I pondered some more.) New writers need affirmation from the general public, of course, but also from experienced writers as well. Each of us can look back at early writings and be almost tempted to destroy them,for the more we write or practice, the better writers we become. How, then, can we not encourage other new writers? How can we not share the wisdom we've gleaned?
It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. - Matthew 7:12
Do yourself and your fellow MLM authors a favor today. Spend just a few minutes reading the writings of others. You just might be pleasantly surprised. You might be refreshed. And, you might be suddenly inspired.
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Marilyn, I know that I echo the others when I say that I agree with everything you've said here. The idea behind this site is to become a better writer and I do appreciate it when someone calls me on a mistake and gives me a way to fix it, or maybe a suggestion on how I could make it better. We have such a diverse group of people here that we can all benefit from other's styles and their ideas. I love the challenges because it gives me something new to play with. I also like constructive critique, I need that heads up to keep me on my game. The comments that I get are very encouraging and keep me coming back. You mentioned all of these things in a very positive, gentle way. I, like others, fall behind in my reading, but I do try to read as many as I can and comment on them. Anyway, I think all of the ideas you portrayed here are excellent and I hope that all of us, including myself, can benefit from them. Great write. Jackie
Well, I have to agree with the comments, here. Lol, you are all so eloquent; you took the words right outta my mouth. As for the feedback issue, that's one of those things... Not everyone is open to honest feedback, and how are we the readers to know that? As one who shies from conflict (not necessarily a good thing but that's the way I am) may I suggest that those who are interested in honest comments (and willing to ACCEPT and DISCUSS the comments with no hard feelings) make a note at the end of each article along the lines of "Honest Critique Welcome" or "Seeking Honest Critique" or even an order, "TELL ME WHAT I'M DOING WRONG HERE!!!" *vbg*. On the other side of the coin, I've written a couple things that I wouldn't want anyone to spend time critiquing. I'm *not* looking for feedback on them, that is to say, they aren't meant to be rated (things like the "getting to know you challenge" or my article "why marine life mag") and I'm not planning on taking them any further, so why wasate someone's valuable time? On such a piece we might add at the end, "Comments welcome (hey we all love the contact, admit it now *G*), but critique not necessary"
Maybe Bob B. could add boxes to check when we're submitting a write (for those of us who experience senior moments regularly even if we aren't seniors ...heh)?
Marilyn,
I've felt the same frustrations of which you speak. Every reader has different preferences regarding subject matter. Sometimes I think the readers here regard their comments as the price paid for reading. In other words, if they like the story, they take the time to respond. If not, they merely shake their head and move along.
If this were Barnes and Noble, that would be appropriate; pick up the book, read the jacket, and if it doesn't stimulate us, put it down and move on. But this is supposed to be a community of writers who are trying to improve their craft.
It is difficult enough to glean anything of value from comments which are always glowing, but it is impossible to infer anything from no comments.
Why do writers post here? I'm sure there are as many different reasons as there are writers, but for us, as readers, to apply the comment/don't comment rule, as a method of letting a writer know we don't like his/her writing, is arrogant and insulting.
Folks, not everyone writes to be up-lifting to readers' sensibilities. There are more emotions involved in life than kissing babies and commenting about how wonderful ones' life is. The ability to meander through and explore some of the seamier experiences is an art in and of itself. If the story happens to have a happy ending- great! But, if not, if the reader is made uncomfortable by the story, it speaks to the effectiveness of the portrayal, not the validity of the subject, and the author should be told what worked!
I'd like to see a critique format set up, but that's just my personal feeling. How can I find out what you folks like or dislike, or what I'm doing wrong if you don't tell me?
Well, I'll jump off my soapbox. Marilyn, you've given me much to think about. Thanks for your eloquence.
Very sweet article. It is good to wander around and check out writer's you haven't read before - expand horizons, read new topics. I also relate to your comment around feeding the biological body and not nuturing the soul - it's very important to nuture the soul with writing. Well done.
Welcome !
