One of my earliest memories is the time my Dad enrolled me in a gymnastics program at the YMCA. I was...I think it was the summer before 1st grade, so I had just turned six. I wasn't sure what he was getting me into, and when I asked him about it he said he wanted me to learn how to fall properly. I don't remember being a clumsy or accident-prone child, but I still remember the surprise I felt at the idea that falling was something one could learn to do. I had a great time.

It was also my introduction to gender-based sports chauvinism. In the beginning gymnastics course everyone got to do a rotation at each apparatus. I really enjoyed the uneven bars, and was so disappointed when I was told I couldn't do them in the later courses -- that was for girls.

Rats. Parallel bars were boring.

In that instance, Victor, you can put a "Thought-provoking..." blurb on your book, if you can get somebody not Miss Nobody to say it.(Although Miss Nobody has what the politicians call "mo" right now and I'm gonna ride it, you bet.) Although it is sad how many projects CG has nagged me into...does that make me his bitch, instead of Spike's?

A drabble inspired by Hil's:

The Fall

The snake slithered up to the woman as she ate her 500th bowl of perfect ambrosia and said, "Wouldn't you like some fruit?"

"God said that if we ate it, we would die," she replied, idly drawing in the dirt.

"That's only part of the truth. You will learn how the stars march through the sky and how the animals grow and then you will die. Your children's children will figure out how God put together the universe, and then make universes of their own."

The fruit was sweet and a little sour. The sticky juice trickled down her chin.

And victor, I think you're right. But OTOH, I don't feel like being competitive is a bad thing in all cases, even as a writer. And I'm stuck with it to some degree--it's possibly the most hard-wired thing in my personality. I just need to figure out how to manage it properly.

Fair enough--I've got a competitive streak in me myself. I did spend a goodly amount of time in the poetry slam, after all. It's just a matter of perspective. I've seen too many writers fall prey to the logical fallacy of depending on a corporation/educational institution to validate their worth as a writer, which almost inevitable leads to the nonsensical corrolary of "my success as a writer = my worth as a human bein," andno I'm NOT saying that's where this is headed, just that I've seen this scenario before. It's bullshit. Very little gets published on the basis of its merits alone. Merit counts for something, certainly, but that alone isn't what sell books--it's all messed up with marketing demographics and what Borders will push and a lot of myopia. It can be overcome, but it takes time, and if you get cuaght up in the game, you won't write the next thing, and that's always the real challenge. Or, as my good friend Reggie Cabico put it, "the slam that can be seen is not the slam. The real competion is against yourself, writing the next poem." Or, in this case, romance novel, but I'd say the advice applies.

Although it is sad how many projects CG has nagged me into...does that make me his bitch, instead of Spike's?

Can you be both?

But somehow, the idea of not sharing the original fiction, or of being unwilling to submit the original fiction, because it might get snooted, or might not generate a response - that's the part I don't get.

Considering I didn't say that, your opinion on that is completely valid. I've got original fiction. I've got a WordPerfect window open right now with the second draft of the completed novel I'm thinking has a shot at the big time. I've got oodles of original fiction. What I don't have is a life situation that allows me to make writing my primary focus.

My point about the joy of the instant validation of fanfic is that you don't have to wonder "Can I write? Do I suck?" Someone will tell you. Granted, there is sucky fic out there that has fans, but an honest writer who is working at their craft will figure out how to make their work stop sucking. And should accrue more fans.

Some people think fic is easy or limiting, because you don't have to create the characters and background. It isn't, but there are people who will never be persuaded from their own views. But a strongly held view that contradicts mine does not mean mine is wrong.

"Can you be both?" Possibly, but should the book be huge, I'm gonna need something to say in interviews besides "I made a bet with somebody I was hot for, thinking it would suck and he'd get off my back about my fic habit, Barbara." I don't think I have any true worries about greatness, with a story like that.

I made a bet with somebody I was hot for

That's the kind of thing that taught me long ago never to make bets. Though paying off the losing bet was fun.

Well, it's fake really...just a little fake external pressure to make me stick it out.

Ah, fake pressure means you can up the ante outrageously. Tell tales of the horrid forfeits you'll have to pay.

who knows? There could be costumes... I'm late right now, actually. Because back in November I was having 2000 word days, so I said I could have it by 1/1. So didn't happen. December's been very hit-or-miss.