Meth: a Ticking Timebomb Gone Viral

Tips

Before my life became more stable, I didn't realise how hard it could be to write regularly on a blog. When I was using meth, there was no shortage of dramas and bad things to whine about. And even when things were OK, I was usually so bored that I had plenty of time to think of material to post about.

Since getting back from Thap Sakae, nothing much has been happening—at least, nothing I feel is worth telling people about. I haven't written a static item in a long time, and I do worry sometimes that my creative self has checked out forever. The consolation is that I have a pretty substantial backlog of work, and what I tend to do on days I lack imagination is read and edit items on my port.

As I read some of these old works, I sometimes wonder where my head was at (compared to now), and on the flip side, where some of the ideas and words came from. I read that when Robert Plant penned the words to Stairway to Heaven, he was in a trance-like state (or his hand moved involuntarily). I can attest to something similar happening in at least two of my poems. As I search through my port, there are some titles I see and have no idea what they are about...at least until I read them.

So in today's post, instead of telling you what Nada cooked for lunch or boring you with details of our daily routine, I thought I would share some tips I use on WdC that may make a difference to your experience.

Rereading and editing is an almost continuous thing I do. The maintenance crew who paint the Sydney Harbour Bridge start at one end and once they are finished, start again from the other side. Not only does continuous editing improve the quality of your work, but each time you do, it generates more reads by reposting the item on the, 'BY ONLINE AUTHORS' page.

I always reply to anyone kind enough to review my work. Not only is it good manners, but it encourages further reviews by that person and helps create friendships within the site.

Take negative comments/reviews with a pinch of salt. If I changed everything in my work that others had recommended, there would be little left of my original story. Stick to your guns (other than technical issues). Thank those who share their thoughts and opinions on your work, but don't allow their ideas to become your story.

In the same vein...when reviewing, be honest about how the story made you feel without stating how you would have done it differently. Set a realistic rating. Don't just hand out five stars willy-nilly because it leaves little room for when you read something that truly inspires you.

Don't take the entering of competitions too seriously. When we put our hearts and souls into our work, the stories become like children to us...and we all know how difficult it can be to see our kids lose. And here's the thing...I don't voluntarily enter competitions because, in my opinion, the judging of art is so subjective. Add to that the politics...intentional or unintentional, and in my opinion, entering competitions is not worth the headfuck it creates.

Leave arguments to do with politics and religion to those who enjoy banging their heads against walls. That doesn't mean endless conversations about the weather. There are plenty of subjects that don't push buttons yet encourage intellectual dialogue.

Be kind to people, especially those we disagree with...as hard as that is, at times, to do.