tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post2461813722248730110..comments2023-11-11T23:38:40.663-08:00Comments on tangobaby: The Parabola of a Writer or, On Coming to This All Backwardstangobabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288974184200212536noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-50139128911300371452009-02-27T12:29:00.000-08:002009-02-27T12:29:00.000-08:00I'm SO glad you write. :)I'm SO glad you write. :)Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03115002505324651653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-73822734500717011362008-06-10T11:33:00.000-07:002008-06-10T11:33:00.000-07:00Dear dutchbaby!OMG, now you've got me daydreaming ...Dear dutchbaby!<BR/><BR/>OMG, now you've got me daydreaming again. Wouldn't we have the BEST time?<BR/><BR/>I have to save my pennies but WHY NOT?! I need to find a job that I can do on the road so we can play longer...tangobabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288974184200212536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-2924823202023313772008-06-09T21:11:00.000-07:002008-06-09T21:11:00.000-07:00You know Antwerp is en route between Amsterdam and...You know Antwerp is en route between Amsterdam and Paris. Let's do it!<BR/><BR/>BTW, I count blogging as real writing - and you do it beautifully.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-63743502656404971492008-06-08T10:16:00.000-07:002008-06-08T10:16:00.000-07:00Dear dutchbaby,I know if I write anything about ty...Dear dutchbaby,<BR/><BR/>I know if I write anything about typography, calligraphy, fonts, that I am I talking to you! And we both loved the Nabokov quote the most...am I surprised? Nah!<BR/><BR/>It would be best if we could go to see the Garamond dies together. Wouldn't that be something?<BR/><BR/>xo<BR/><BR/>Dear Octavine,<BR/><BR/>You must realize that I chose that photo of the pen nib with a smile because I knew you would love it. I'm so glad we appreciate each other. It's always lovely to see you here.<BR/><BR/>Dear Paris Parfait,<BR/><BR/>I feel like you are the Blue Fairy and I am Pinocchio when he becomes a Real Boy. Thank you for the vote of confidence. I'm so happy to have you on Team Tangobaby. <BR/><BR/>A Real Writer. I will certainly try. Those seem like big shoes to fill. Now, watch me fall into an abyss of Writer's Block!<BR/><BR/>xoxotangobabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288974184200212536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-25985201190001088572008-06-07T12:30:00.000-07:002008-06-07T12:30:00.000-07:00A wonderful treatise about writing - and YOU, my d...A wonderful treatise about writing - and YOU, my dear Tangobaby, are a real writer! And I'm so privileged to know you and read your insightful musings. xoxoxparis parfaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05457437124988976587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-25568201880592121632008-06-06T20:49:00.000-07:002008-06-06T20:49:00.000-07:00it is that picture of that intricately detailed an...it is that picture of that intricately detailed antique fountain pen that sets my passions ablaze. couldn't tell you why...something about it calls. <BR/><BR/>you write. you are a writer. because you write, i read. and i like reading your writing. again, couldn't tell you why...something about it calls.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12085344787046919036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-65268689281206097032008-06-06T16:23:00.000-07:002008-06-06T16:23:00.000-07:00Fabulous post! I love all the quotes but especiall...Fabulous post! I love all the quotes but especially the one by Nabakov. You chose fabulous images. Of course, you know what a sucker I am for all things pen, paper, ink, engineering paraphernalia, and typography. Speaking of typography, next time you are near Antwerp, you can visit Garamond’s original dies of the fonts he designed: <BR/><BR/>http://museum.antwerpen.be/plantin_moretus/index_eng.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-65388564931704668612008-06-06T15:48:00.000-07:002008-06-06T15:48:00.000-07:00Dear p,I will if you will. And happy birthday agai...Dear p,<BR/><BR/>I will if you will. And happy birthday again! I just love love your blog.<BR/><BR/>;-)tangobabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288974184200212536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-23618788546730450092008-06-06T13:38:00.000-07:002008-06-06T13:38:00.000-07:00Yes. I feel the same way too. Blogging is the only...Yes. I feel the same way too. Blogging is the only way I can write without feeling self-conscious and lonely at the same time. Keep writing...I so enjoy what I read.Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702448906893352416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-73500027432367526372008-06-06T10:45:00.000-07:002008-06-06T10:45:00.000-07:00Dear Psyche,Thank you. I know I'm a writer. I just...Dear Psyche,<BR/><BR/>Thank you. I know I'm a writer. I just don't think of me as A Writer. ;-)<BR/><BR/>I have not read The Artist's Way. Part of my procrastination expertise is to read books about things I want to do instead of doing the things I want to do. But maybe I will peek at it next time I'm in the bookstore, if you think I should. (I also am very resistant to "assigments" that come from external sources.)<BR/><BR/>Dear Relyn,<BR/><BR/>Someday when I meet you I will probably dissolve into a puddle of tears. It means a great deal to me to see your lovely presence here so often.<BR/><BR/>You have described the sensations of writing that I love, too. It seems a by-product of the work, but actually I think the tactile impressions we get are part of the delight, too. Thank you for putting that into words so beautifully.<BR/><BR/>I knew you would like the quotes and photos--of course, I borrowed that idea from you because you do it so well!<BR/><BR/>Dearest TheElementary,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for that poem! It made me tear up. It is lovely and inspiring and perfect. I feel like you gave me a bouquet of flowers.<BR/><BR/>Thank you!<BR/><BR/>I'm glad you enjoyed the quotes and found a familiar favorite. I really like the last one, partly because I think Nabokov is amazing, but also because I have this little fantasy that the words are already written down, and I'm just uncovering them somehow.<BR/><BR/>Dear Christy,<BR/><BR/>I don't think you should feel guilty. I think you should feel guilty when you publish such gorgous photos of food you've made and then I can't have it.<BR/><BR/>Maybe a brisk walk would make you feel better!<BR/><BR/>Dear Phivos,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for giving me your perspective, from someone who's work is out there in the traditional way. I guess no one ever feels that they've truly "arrived," even if they have published books sitting on the shelf to prove it. Perhaps that is the flip side of any creative endeavour--to doubt its validity.<BR/><BR/>But I will keep on plugging away. Thank you.tangobabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288974184200212536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-20146985568587081702008-06-06T08:11:00.000-07:002008-06-06T08:11:00.000-07:00Among many other reasons why do we write is that w...Among many other reasons why do we write is that we like to share ideas and views on certain aspects of our life, culture, history, even ourselves. Therefore, we shouldn't hesitate to express ourselves in one way or another in writing. <BR/>It's hard for me to say I'm a writer trying to write now my third book. This however has nothing to do with our belief, will and vision... Keep on writing.Phivos Nicolaideshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09149376242558001013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-40407385286961433532008-06-05T19:45:00.000-07:002008-06-05T19:45:00.000-07:00That Monk story is so inspirational... it makes me...That Monk story is so inspirational... it makes me feel incredibly guilty about not going for a run this morning because it was cloudy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-35326777373389864432008-06-05T15:58:00.000-07:002008-06-05T15:58:00.000-07:00"There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit dow..."There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein." This has been one of my favourite writing quotes for a long time, mostly because of its brutal honesty.<BR/>When writers write it's best to do it for themselves and not an audience first. Write from the heart. <BR/>I also love this poem from Charles Bukowski at<BR/>http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16549<BR/>It speaks to my heart. <BR/>My definition of a writer is someone who puts words to paper in a passionate manner for the purpose of pouring out their heart and maybe trying to teach us something. That would be you!<BR/>I have said you are wise, and I meant it :)Phyllis Hunt McGowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13370730851612587650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-58595945550635652782008-06-05T14:21:00.000-07:002008-06-05T14:21:00.000-07:00Dear Tangobaby, Of course, you know I love this po...Dear Tangobaby, <BR/><BR/>Of course, you know I love this post. I have fallen completely in love with blogging. It has already brought me so many blessings. You are one of my favorite blessings. Another great blessing is the writing. <BR/><BR/>I love the physical act of writing. The way writing makes your thoughts permanent; the click of the keyboard; the magic of letters forming into tangible images that were once only brief thoughts. I love the permanence of writing; likely because my own memory fails me so often. I love the audience implicit in writing. I think we all long to be heard. <BR/><BR/>I think we write to know what we are thinking, to capture moments in time, but also to know someone else is listening - even if that someone is only your own future self. <BR/><BR/>Of course, you choose quotes that expressed all of those things better than I have. Wonderful post. Wonderful writing. Wonderful you.<BR/><BR/>xoxoRelyn Lawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01389583730002062714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-64560416047487145682008-06-05T13:09:00.000-07:002008-06-05T13:09:00.000-07:00You *are* a writer. You write every day. And you'r...You *are* a writer. You write every day. And you're a *good* writer.<BR/><BR/>Have you read 'The Artist's Way'? If not, I really recommend it.Psychehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14278866207207171284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-52334929281047570422008-06-05T12:17:00.000-07:002008-06-05T12:17:00.000-07:00Hi Johanna,I think blogging has to count, because ...Hi Johanna,<BR/><BR/>I think blogging has to count, because it seems to be the only way I can consistently write. I wish I could pick up pen and pad, or scribble on backs of envelopes, but if I'm not at a computer keyboard, I am at a loss. That's when the words flow. <BR/><BR/>As for the writing every day, it's like the tango every day, etc. You do it if you want to and if you can, ultimately. I find that if I write little snippets every day, some of them never see the light of day and some of them molder for a while and someday eventually turn into something to read. It helps keep my writing muscle (as tiny as it is) from atrophying.<BR/><BR/>And as for the mutual admiration society, I'm truly grateful it exists.<BR/><BR/>xo<BR/><BR/>Hi FogBay,<BR/><BR/>So, one out of three ain't bad! ;-)<BR/>Now I have to work on the exercise and eating well parts. Those seem to be harder than the writing part.<BR/><BR/>To express oneself, surely, and also to use parts of the mind in creative ways. To me, part of the enjoyment of writing is to connect different and disparate thoughts and make something come together out of nothing. Or to observe my own mind at work. Same thing with taking a good photo, too.<BR/><BR/>I hope you enjoy the memoir. To me, it's been a comfort and a mirror.tangobabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288974184200212536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-73168995972887192582008-06-05T12:00:00.000-07:002008-06-05T12:00:00.000-07:00I believe our need to communicate and express ours...I believe our need to communicate and express ourselves is essential to our well-being. <BR/><BR/>Consider the solitary street people who talk to aloud to nobody, in what must be an attempt to regain themselves, or the prisoner who when placed in solitary confinement quickly loses balance.<BR/><BR/>Exercise, eat right, express yourself - sounds like a healthy lifestyle.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, great post, Natalie Goldberg's book is going into my Amazon wish list.FogBayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01780211050082474712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-55214303584902317942008-06-05T10:04:00.000-07:002008-06-05T10:04:00.000-07:00One can only hope, TB. It's hard to keep the fait...One can only hope, TB. It's hard to keep the faith when all the "experts" tell you you should be writing every day.<BR/><BR/>I guess blogging counts?<BR/><BR/>And you're welcome on the compliment. Ditto, oh Queen of the Mutual Admiration Society.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-24086307260852104602008-06-05T09:52:00.000-07:002008-06-05T09:52:00.000-07:00Hi Vanessa,To be a better witness, exactly! I thin...Hi Vanessa,<BR/><BR/>To be a better witness, exactly! I think the reason I put it off for so long was partially due to my fear of what I might see.<BR/><BR/>But all of it--good, bad, insignificant, ineffable--gives me enthusiasm now, to keep witnessing, to keep looking around me.<BR/><BR/>And I find too that when words fail me (as they are bound to, my writing muscles are not fully developed) that I have my camera to capture those moments too.<BR/><BR/>Ps. I loved on your blog masthead about writing true sentences. What a wonderful reminder for yourself. I have just added you to my blogroll so I can read more of your witnessing.<BR/><BR/>Pss. I am looking forward to the day when you decide to take a flamenco class, too! ;-)<BR/><BR/>Dear Red Shoes,<BR/><BR/>Oh, I am a sniffer and a fondler, no doubt about it. And we haven't even gotten to the other, more esoteric office supplies I have fixated on, including Mucilage and rubber cement.<BR/><BR/>And thank you for the compliment.<BR/><BR/>xo<BR/><BR/>Dear Johanna,<BR/><BR/>I love your description of yourself as a child. I can picture you with your curly hair and tiny hands full of crayons and pencils (hmm, does that sound familiar lately?).<BR/><BR/>I think the practice and desire to write must ebb and flow like all other creative activities, but like riding a bicycle, you never forget how. And the posts and comments you make are always full of wisdom. It's the quality, not the quantity, right? Or even the medium.<BR/><BR/>Your praise, because I respect your own writing so much, is very precious indeed. Thank you.tangobabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288974184200212536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-60036010409797234922008-06-05T08:31:00.000-07:002008-06-05T08:31:00.000-07:00"The role of a writer is not to say what we all ca..."The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say. ~ Anaïs Nin"<BR/><BR/>Just marvelous!<BR/><BR/>My journey was the other way around, TB. I remember the absolute frenzy I felt if I could not sit down and write. From the time I could hold a crayon. No blank surface was safe from my scribbling. I have no idea what I wrote, or if it was even coherent, but it was beyond my control. Thoughts and ideas just frothed forth faster than I could capture them. <BR/><BR/>For years I resisted using the computer (or back then, a typewriter) to capture my thoughts. I felt more connected doing it long-hand. Of course, perhaps more of my brilliance would have survived with the much faster process of typing...<BR/><BR/>It was much later that I've somehow lost the urgency, the clarity, the bottomless source of ideas, and now only write occasionally and casually while blogging and commenting.<BR/><BR/>As for you, your writer's voice is clear and intoxicating. Like any true great wine, it just took a while for it to mature :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-87800949336519498712008-06-05T07:49:00.000-07:002008-06-05T07:49:00.000-07:00I'm glad to know you, too, sniff erasers and fondl...I'm glad to know you, too, sniff erasers and fondle beautiful pens and paper. <BR/><BR/>You're lovely. Keep writing. We're growing from it.Red Shoeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14826132596078871131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7254153824379805831.post-91706950493444120362008-06-05T03:34:00.000-07:002008-06-05T03:34:00.000-07:00A mission/vision statement if I ever saw one! I l...A mission/vision statement if I ever saw one! I love the honesty.<BR/><BR/>I felt exactly the same way, that's why I started my blog, to keep the lethargy of thought and typing at bay, to be a better witness to my own life and times, and, of course, to write 'true sentences' every day! So wonderful to hear my own feelings reflected back at me. <BR/><BR/>I've no illusions of being the greatest writer of my time. I only know it requires patience and dedication and heart, even on days when these are scarce.<BR/><BR/>You write lovely words, so please do keep at it. :-)Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08165921655704936838noreply@blogger.com