Darn computer/internet just ate my post.

Thanks, Kristin and Deena. Glowy with the nice words.

Jill, that drabble is just so true. I do it to myself, though -- Why haven't I written that cover copy / copyedited more pages / called about more assignments when Sara's sleeping? But collapsing on the couch is so often what happens instead.

Nice, all of them.

The no filters thing is an interesting bit. I suppose it just gets me past my "I can't write! What, with all these terrific authors here?" feeling. I must figure, how wrong can I go with 100 words. And the quickness adds to it, too. I can only sit and edit over those words for so long. Which means that I tend to post before I hit the second-guessing stage.

All of which is to say, I'm enjoying it. I think it's good for me.

I'm still wondering about the fictional/autobiographical thing. Do I think that I can only be powerfully honest in autobiography? Am I unable to be honest and impactful in fiction? Wonder why.

Am I unable to be honest and impactful in fiction?

Perhaps it feels more honest in autobiography because it's you? In fiction, you may be being honest for your characters, but I don't think it's the same emotional investment.

Hmm. This could be. You'd think that as empathetic as I am, I wouldn't have a problem stepping into the character's pain/love/desperation/fear/hope. I don't have any trouble writing third party song lyrics, for example, even writing in first person on their behalf. Maybe in drabble form, I don't feel that I develop my relationship with the characters enough to blaze forth with honesty.

I want a wife...

I remember the first issue or so of Ms. Magazine, there was a 1 page cartoon style article about how I want a wife who will do this, do that, support me through school, enable my profession, do all the chores without ever bugging me about them, keep the children pleasant, well groomed and quiet, and have sex enthusiastically but only when I want to, etc.

The last line was, "My god. Who wouldn't want a wife?"

Heck, skip the sex part. I just want somebody who'll clean.

Am I unable to be honest and impactful in fiction?

I have this same problem, but for me, I think, it's a question of vulnerability. I am perfectly willing to be honest about myself. I've already demonstrated my ability to screw things up for everyone to see. To be honest about a character seems more difficult. I haven't figured out why yet.

Heck, skip the sex part. I just want somebody who'll clean.

Preach on, sister. It's much more important to create art sit around in the sun than it is to get all the chores done.

I find it easier to be honest about Not-Me, actually.

Maybe it's because I used to be, and Liese still is, on display? I got used to using my life for examples of what not to do -- though, that could be a function of personality as much as anything.