How many comments are enough?

Last night's meeting really got me thinking. We were a healthy sized group of about fifteen. Two comments each on things that worked, and two areas that might be improved adds up quickly to a whole lot of input – perhaps as someone rightly pointed out, enough to destroy the quality of the original work.

I think that's why it's important to take the comments as input and then, as the author, to decide which are relevant and improve it for its intended purpose and which would detract from that purpose.

Writing with purpose – or not.

Often, when I sit down and begin tapping away at the keyboard, I don't know where my initial thoughts will lead me. This approach, likened to throat clearing before making a speech, is an exercise recommended in a writing course I once took.
After a while, ideas take shape and, following several re-writes, they firm up and I understand the purpose or reason for writing the piece. If they don't, well it was just an exercise and is consigned to the wastebasket.
On other occasions, I plot and plan and storyboard and outline and then write. That usually happens for longer, or more complex works of fiction or non-fiction.
Knowing the intended purpose of the piece, its market if for publication and the target audience then helps me when in the self-editing mode.
When we pick up the New Yorker or National Enquirer, we know what to expect and how to receive it.
Describing the purpose of your work, whether intended for publication or not, and presented without the benefit of hardcover or magazine masthead, helps those reviewing or critiquing it to offer comments in an appropriate context.

Lincoln Library's very own blog

I just noticed that the Library has its own blog site (also using blogger). Clicking on the title of this post should take you there.

To comma, or not to comma.

We often have discussions, sometimes disagreements, about the use of commas.

I found this link to six rules for using commas. Click here.

Do these make sense? Is that all there is to it?

Any ideas or information about self-publishing?

Bill Lytle of Lincoln is looking for information on self-publising. Do you know anybody who's used XLibris, PublishAmerica or the like? Geoff, would Grub Street be able to give him any information? I suggested he Google and get opinions on the various vendors; some of the online discussions can be rather...lively. He's at 781/259-9859 and he (and I) would appreciate your calling him with your vast knowledge. Thanks. Jeanne