tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8802856404301439822.post8192707691150121377..comments2014-07-09T08:24:50.859-05:00Comments on Thinking Allowed: VoicelessUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8802856404301439822.post-38950110627164776912010-07-27T00:20:40.046-05:002010-07-27T00:20:40.046-05:00That's the problem, isn't it? Unapologetic...That's the problem, isn't it? Unapologetically telling the honest truth about oneself isn't bragging--it's ... well ... telling the honest truth. And if you're not comparing yourself to anyone else, that doesn't hurt anyone. But I understand; I'm prone to the same "nice girl" self-effacing thinking. <br /><br />I hope you'll maybe reread the Kate Harding post for inspiration if you need it, but I definitely hope you'll try it anyway. (And refer to it often when you need a little shot in the arm! :) It's a tremendously liberating experience.<br /><br /><br />Nicely said, Delia.The Accidental Tangoistehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17345900075435510748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8802856404301439822.post-4375025662179289072010-07-26T23:30:38.032-05:002010-07-26T23:30:38.032-05:00First, I don't think you're lacking at all...First, I don't think you're lacking at all, I think you just don't see it. You're not the first, either. How many times have you seen Crusie writing in her blog that she doesn't think she's funny? It happens. Write what you're going to write in a way that resonates with you. It's all you can do.<br /><br />As a side note, I have the same problem. I feel like a dolt when I comment alongside the Betties. Also, I've written things that I've intended to be funny and had no one laugh; and I've written things I've intended to be serious and had people tell me how funny it was. You never can tell how others will react. Bear that in mind and write what you need to write.Delia Moranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01957513773943040065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8802856404301439822.post-51037303106359874572010-07-26T23:20:30.599-05:002010-07-26T23:20:30.599-05:00Thanks for the support, guys. :) It does mean a lo...Thanks for the support, guys. :) It does mean a lot to know that people do find me funny. I doubt I will ever be as mind-blowingly snarky as Toni or Betty Fokker, but honestly...who can?<br /><br />@Kris - Please. I don't think any Betty rates below an anthill. :) Anthill is the starting point. It's a fact of life that Betty = witty. See Kelly's comment for an interesting take on witty translating into writing. It's a good point that writing and talking are very different.<br /><br />@Tangoist - Thanks, love. I'll consider doing that. Sharing it is the hard part, cause then I'm bragging, and we all know how I feel about that. ;)<br /><br />@Kelly - That's a great suggestion! I know that I have good comedic timing on stage, so now I just have to figure out how to translate that into writing. Typing out anecdotes and such is brilliant. Thank you.Sierrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11366603254699585946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8802856404301439822.post-48504175590996662362010-07-26T19:51:35.592-05:002010-07-26T19:51:35.592-05:00Sierra, we must be sisters. I feel the exact same...Sierra, we must be sisters. I feel the exact same way. I want to write magical, romantic comedies, but struggle to make my sarcastic side appear on the page. I don't write funny. Not sure why, but I'm on this journey with you. I also feel self conscious when faced with the wit and hilarity that is the Betties. Maybe we are both trying too hard. I talked to a friend of mine about this the other day and she suggested that I record myself telling a funny anecdote, something that I told her that made her laugh, and then listen to it and write it out word for word. She thinks I have to write many, many, many more pages before my written voice sounds like my regular old funny self. I hope she's right. <br /><br />Maybe we can help each other get in touch with our funny bones. :) - Bona Fide BettyKellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310528922825315971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8802856404301439822.post-36705395103778329812010-07-26T18:50:34.179-05:002010-07-26T18:50:34.179-05:00Sierra, just remember that you are your own bigges...Sierra, just remember that you are your own biggest critic and you shouldn't be so harsh on yourself. And if it makes you feel any better I would say that if you are the anthill in the backyard I am a tiny speck of dirt that they used to build the anthill...I couldn't do witty if my life depended on it. So even though you may not think you are as witty as the Betties, you're also a helluva lot wittier than others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8802856404301439822.post-44377762295791413882010-07-26T15:58:29.669-05:002010-07-26T15:58:29.669-05:00Oh, honey... I only have time for this much, right...Oh, honey... I only have time for this much, right now: that I'd ask you to try to remember that, as difficult as it can be to keep sight of, talent is not a zero-sum game. The fact that people you admire are good, does not make you bad. It may give you something to aspire to, but it doesn't need to make you feel any less than you are--and from what I've seen of the Betties, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't want to even inadvertently make you feel as though that were the case! What are the Betties about but mutual encouragement?<br /><br />(And I don't see any gap between your comments on LucyMarch and anyone else's. And guess what? You made other Betties laugh too; I saw it, they said so!)<br /><br />Remember how there are, like, 400-some comments on that Kate Harding post (<a rel="nofollow">http://kateharding.net/2010/04/23/slightly-pre-friday-sorta-fluff-im-kate-fucking-harding/</a>), all women celebrating themselves, to absolutely no one else's detriment but only to mutual celebration? It can be done!<br /><br />And <i>remember</i> how <i>just last night</i> you suggested I might make a physical on-paper list of things that make me happy about myself, in case I find myself in that sticky situation we talked about? You want something to write about? Here's my challenge for you: Write yourself a list like that. Don't qualify anything. And believe in what you say, because I'm telling you, whatever you write, it's going to be the truth.<br /><br />And the last step: be brave; post it on here so we can all say "Hellz yeah!" <br /><br />*Hugs* I love you.The Accidental Tangoistehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17345900075435510748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8802856404301439822.post-28066824610512842392010-07-26T15:24:08.852-05:002010-07-26T15:24:08.852-05:00Sierra, you are funny. We all must bow before the ...Sierra, you are funny. We all must bow before the Betties...they're a clever lot.<br /><br />Keep working at it.lora96https://www.blogger.com/profile/08171062741089674769noreply@blogger.com