Comment from JonnyRhymes

Excellent

This is a well-written explanation of the vast subject of writing, in which you use metaphor to good effect (and certainly NOT just because an English teacher once told you that metaphors were good ;-) ) Nicely done & a positive message has been put across here.

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 Comment Written 19-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 19-Apr-2014

Was having fun with the metaphor, thanks.

Comment from Rondeno

Excellent

It's very nicely written, but I can't agree. Would you advocate people to get behind the wheels of cars and drive with "gusto" and "heart", and not limit themselves by taking boring old driving lessons? Maybe I could teach the Serbo-Croat language with child-like verve, without bothering to learn the language myself? After all, the classes that I take might impair my flair.

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 Comment Written 19-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 19-Apr-2014

I love your point of view, I really do, but did you jump to a conclusion? Did you assume that I didn't invest, wasn't schooled or mentored in writing before I dropped the five basic elements of good writing on your plate?

Whatever you are doing to improve your craft is money and time well spent, but essentially, after all the many thousands I have invested, the advise still hold true--setting, character, conflict, crises and resolution.

By the way, in the event you are tuned in, your response came across as prissy. I failed to mention tone, but that's an instinctual gift that is hard to explain.

reply by Rondeno on 19-Apr-2014

You came across in your piece as cool, but your reply is the usual defensive stuff. I didn't jump to any conclusions. I read what you wrote, and responded. You didn't say, "learn how to do it properly, then discard rigid learning". You said, "untutored is better than tutored". And it's sad that, if someone doesn't happen to fawn over you, you have to reach for words like "prissy".

reply by the author on 19-Apr-2014

Let's get analytical shall we? Your response suggesting allowing a toddler to drive or accepting a teaching assignment for a foreign language you don't know, was a very limp analogy to my suggestion of rediscovering the wonder of imagination.

I'd like to laugh, and call this a truce, but I think you need a snap on the knuckles for impudence.

Surely you of all people, a celebrated reviewer, understands the power of words. The minute you dropped the word 'fawning' on the screen, you disqualified yourself from my attention and any debate.

If anybody writes for the approval--expecting people to 'fawn' over their words, they should unsubscribe. Language should be communication, not combat-ready ammunition for soldiers

This might have opened a door to communication and sharing thoughts, but you sullied it, and you're a hair's breath away from making this personal.

I'll take back prissy, if you take back fawning--deal? We live and die by words, as it should be, but I'm not convinced you're a healthy enemy.

reply by Rondeno on 19-Apr-2014

You offer the olive branch, and at the same time make a half-dozen furtive little stabs. YOU are the contaminator. You stuck your work out there, I commented on it. That's what this site is for. YOU are the one who got personal.

reply by the author on 19-Apr-2014

I'm so sorry, will you ever forgive me?

I realize now that I am a dirty, filthy contaminant, that 'stuck' my words out there, polluting the world. But, as you said, it makes as much sense as allowing a toddler to drive while teaching him/her the dialects and subtle innuendoes of the Croatian language.

Right! I'm going to let the buggers drive today. Call the cops, you might save an innocent life.

reply by Rondeno on 19-Apr-2014

Okay.

I like the heavy irony in the apology. And humor is a much defter tool than abuse.

I have no idea to whom I'm talking ... but perhaps we can leave it there?

reply by the author on 19-Apr-2014

Sure can, but it would be in your best interests to identify me before you settle into a comfortable flat phrase like 'usual response,' a quote to justify your status and conviction of my 'defensive nature.'

Trust me in this one fundamental truth--I'll attack, not defend.

Enjoy your Easter weekend, as I will enjoy mine, watching my grandchildren trash my car.

reply by Rondeno on 19-Apr-2014

Here we go again. "Usual response" meant "the usual response of people on here". It did not mean YOUR usual response. How could it? I don't know who you are!

Your REMARKS were of a defensive nature, not YOU. While you're giving out so much advice, you might like to receive a little: read me with precision, because I use words accurately.

As for you attacking ... I'll try not to let it ruin my life.

Have a good one.