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Comment by Mike on November 20, 2008 at 10:48pm

I have no idea of how I write. Some people like it, but I'm not a student of literature, like so many people who drop writer's names as influences, genres or so many other things that categorize writer's. I rhyme sometimes and sometimes not. I try to be original, purging my guts to produce something, and it comes out, but I can't classify myself, please help.

Comment by Tami on September 7, 2008 at 11:18am

How does one define a cliché?
Do you ever use clichés? Do you hear them often? No doubt you can answer "Yes" to either question. But have you stopped to consider what they may mean? Writers often use clichés among themselves, but there may be a need to give thought to the meanings of these oft- repeated phrases. That is the intent of this comment. I will investigate what is behind the "clichés" that tend to become so much a part of our writing and often our conversations.
Let's begin by considering a dictionary definition of the word cliché. A cliché is a "trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse."{1}
As we engage in conversation with writers all over the country, invariably we will hear language about specific things that have become “stereotyped” and have "lost impact by long overuse." This doesn't mean there isn't truth contained in the clichés. Indeed, often there is truth of great importance for a writer in their life. The problem is that frequently we use these clichés while thinking we know what we are saying. But do we? Could we explain these phrases if someone were to ask us to define them? My experience is that writers have difficulty when asked to explain themselves, but that’s a stereotype in of itself. Is it not?
~tami

Comment by Ashton Gray on August 31, 2008 at 6:22pm

I want to encourage discussion in the relevant threads about any and all editing I do on anyone's submission. Of course I'm happy to hear discussion and questions from the author of any given piece that I've edited, but I'd also like to hear from any other group member any questions, suggestions, improvements, or any other discussion about what has been done and why.

This could be the greatest benefit of this group. Editing in the real world isn't necessarily open to such discussion, and I don't want this to be some autocratic one-way operation. I want the rationale, the reason for edits to be as clear and understandable as possible.

Editing also isn't an absolute science. There often are many ways to approach or fix something that could use an edit, so please feel free to ask questions and make suggestions.

Ashton