From idea to written piece

[cjsmith]

Every so often I have an idea for something I'd like to write. If I write, though, it comes across sounding snotty or whiny; often it's not at all worth reading. I'm sure it's not the ideas at fault, though. I'm positive Dave Barry could turn some of these ideas into very humorous columns. He can write in such a way that his readers recognize themselves and laugh. I think that's amazing, a true gift. Alas, I have no such skill. So these ideas rattle around in my head, clamoring to be set into words, and I say to them, "go find someone else." But they DON'T find someone else. Grr.

Today's idea is brought to me by a friend who won't drive a minivan. To her, a minivan says "parent". Well, she's the mother of two, but I guess she doesn't want to advertise that, so she drives an SUV instead of a minivan. I wish there were a humorous, instead of insulting, way to point out that if a minivan says "parent", an SUV says "my children are being driven around in a teenage nanny's rusted-out Honda Accord." Alas, I have no such skill.

Comments

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

If I write, though, it comes across sounding snotty or whiny

I have to ask - is this just your opinion, or have others read your work and agreed with you? You know you're probably your own worst critic. And I think you could get a humorous piece out of your inspiration, you just need to practice. Skills are built, and take practice, practice, practice. You know, like other skills that it's fun to practice ;-)

You knew I couldn't be serious all the way through, right?

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

...is this just your opinion, or have others read your work and agreed with you?

Oh, mostly my own opinion, I admit. Supporting evidence: my spoken word has been unintentionally insulting more often than I'd like, and my written word isn't often far different because, well, that practice thing... :-)

Hmm, other skills that it's fun to practice... wow, would practicing those make me a better humor writer? I suppose it couldn't hurt to TRY, right?

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

I don't know, I've needed beverage warnings on a few of your posts. I think you can be funny, you just need to practice. I'd be happy to read your writings if you want to give it a try, and they don't call me blunt and upfront for nothing ;-)

And it depends on how serious you are when engaging in that particular practice, I suppose. I've been known to almost fall out of bed laughing, myself ;-)

[mouseman.livejournal.com]

Every so often I have an idea for something I'd like to write. [...] I'm positive Dave Barry could turn some of these ideas into very humorous columns. He can write in such a way that his readers recognize themselves and laugh. I think that's amazing, a true gift. Alas, I have no such skill.

"Act as if ye have faith, and faith ye shall be given. In other words, fake it until you make it." (Stolen from the tv show, The West Wing)

You can always write down the ideas, and then write up a full version later.