A poet can survive everything but a misprint (Oscar Wilde).
Oh my gosh, I am really feeling that at the moment. My poetry book is almost out, ready for sale and I am terrified of a misprint, or that I won’t like it! I used to feel like that when lodging my university assignments on Assign IT, especially if I was lodging it on the deadline as by then, the opportunity to reload an updated, improved, better edited version was forever GONE! Back then, it only impacted a grade, and ultimately my overall result, but with a book, or this blog, or any other published print, the printing mistake or editing error it truly terrifying to think about, and devastating when it happens. I guess if we spelled yacht like YOT, there would not be so much to worry about!! When I was looking over my NaNoWriMo writings, the feeling I had in the pit of my gut was woeful, but at least I knew there was a good reason for it being so unworthy of being in print (other than as an example yesterday). It was and is however, a very good start to my book, which I am working on very slowly. Even seeing a typo error on Facebook gets my knickers in a bit of a knot, a little bit like sleeping on an un-ironed pillow-slip! I love the comments from all of my readers, as you inspire me to keep on writing and publishing here, to reveal my world in more detail. And lovingly, tolerantly, wonderfully, you don’t even tell me about my spelling or grammar mistakes. I am dreading a misprint (or rather any mistakes I might make!) at the moment as I have two articles due tomorrow, for the London conference publication. It is easy here, as when I’m reading my blog, if I find one, I can correct it, but what I send in tomorrow will be it! Anyway, for today’s blog, I also wanted to share a poem, one I wrote ages ago that is in my poetry book. I was directed to read a lovely article yesterday, which reminded me of it.
Humanity and flat screens
Broken chains and littered friendships
Starved of real voices and faces
Left to stare at flat screens
As the bonds of humanity disappear
I love your poem. It is how I am feeling now. Trying to find balance and appreciate my life outside of the blogging world. On a different note, I have never ironed a pillow case, but I think it is one item I would be good at ironing.
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http://sallyparnisdrawings.wordpress.com/2011/09/01/31st-august-2011/
But I’m not sure I entirely agree with the “screen = alienation” theory – it’s far more complex than that. For example, in our case screen has = connection. 🙂
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well, no need to really, it wasn’t a theory, just an idea within a poem. I agree and disagree with your comments, and it is complex, but can’t find the words to respond! I definitely agree there is connection between our screens though 🙂
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Actually I meant that I was disagreeing with the ideas put forward in the article you were referring to – can’t really disagree with a poem I think. x
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arrgh… now I’m confused as I read a few, and now can’t even remember which one I was referring to! Which article were you referring to? and it’s ok to disagree with a poem I think? Could be just the same as not liking a book or painting? x
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Aah! “Not liking ” is not the same as “disagreeing”. But come to think of it, I suppose one could disagree with the idea expressed in a poem as well.
I was referring to the article about longing vis a vis the effect of the internet in supposedly removing longing for a loved one (because they are only an SMS away) But you also referred to the article written so sensitively by a woman about the beautiful way her relationship with her Father changed as his dementia worsened.
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thanks for the reminders; the article by the woman about her father was just lovely, very poignant and loving; the other one you refer to here I did read, but need time to respond to… somehow, someday I will get to it as it did interest me also:-)
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my daughter is always at me for my spelling & grammer, but I am lucky enough that my brain thinks faster than my fingers and I figure, people will forgive me for a couple of errors. Will have to contact re publisher for the Keith cookbook
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haha, of course we forgive you, your daughter included I hope?! I think her industry are sticklers for spelling and grammar mistakes, which of course they need to be. Happy to help edit the cookbook, as this is one skill I still have reasonably intact (thank God). also, your daughter would be good at that too
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Your poem is very… clever, is that the right word? Or rather you put your thought across in a very clever fashion.
I am a perfectionist language-wise too, being a linguist. I can’t bear the present-day careless attitude to the written word.
But I can happily sleep on an unironed pillowslip. Which turns sleeping on an ironed pillowslip into an immeasurable luxury.
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Thanks Caroline I’m glad you liked the poem. And, yes the luxury of an ironed pillow slip, especially so if it has been very slightly starched as is done in very good hotels, another immeasurable luxury we don’t experience often enough! ps. I might be in France early October so thought I might try and connect in real life if you are around?
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