Just An Update

Since I'm still moving a number of things from one place to another, I just thought I'd write (yet) another "update" to say that.  I had to tell myself not to worry about how little progress I'm making with this clean-up/reorganization of a bunch of free-time stuff.  Sometimes even someone with a lot of free time on her hands still only has SO much of that available.

January 25 - Just A Filler Post

After noticing that I haven't posted anything on here for quite awhile now, I just thought I'd write a "filler" post.    (There's a point where there's no point in posting yet another thing about organizing and/or re-thinking one's Internet-writing endeavors.)

In any case, it's January 25, and there are any number of people I've been kind of thinking about today.  I'm thinking about how some people are strong and solid and will "rise to the occasion" pretty much every time there is "an occasion" to rise to.  It doesn't matter how old or how big such people are.  In fact, some of the physically smallest and youngest people in this world will find ways to "rise to the occasion" (and in the case of children, that's often because they have no choice BUT to do just that).  Not in every instance, of course, but so often, people learn very young that most "mature" (regardless of chronological age) and the strongest and the most reasonable and most sensible and most caring in this world often end up paying for the weakest, least mature, least caring, most aggressive, and most cowardly of others in this world.

In these days when so we're hearing all this talk about how many people are angry, I can't help but think of how many people are so weak and cowardly they would rather do what it takes to preserve their own (or sometimes a co-worker's) job rather than do the right thing.  Jobs aside, there's just that thing in the nature of so many human beings that means they will lie at the expense of others (or worse, lie to themselves in order not to face a painful or less-than-convenient truth - and I'm not referring to climate change here).

Since this is a filler post I'd rather save additional thoughts on all this for another time and place.  I'll just say that I think of any number of people and think, "Well, I hope you're REAL proud of yourself/yourselves."  Well, in the case of some of those people I have in mind, I'd add, "Look at the mess you have made.  Look at the people who have had to pay the price for your cowardice and/or arrogance."  On second thought there would be little point, I suppose, in saying that to some people because a) they don't have what it takes to even see what they've done and/or b? they're so skilled at lying to themselves and/or others  (or at least they think or pretend they are) that they either aren't going to look at a mess they've made in the lives of others, or else they can't/won't face it.

One of these days I may be in a position (or the mood) to elaborate on the whole thing about how children are so often far more grown-up than immature, weak, and/or cowardly (so-called adults are).  For today, I'll just make myself feel a little better by saying that in some cases "they knew who they are".  In other cases, they're pathetically incapable of seeing their own weakness and inadequacy as a human being.  I'm guessing I'm not alone in saying/thinking with disgust and sarcasm, "Well, I hope you're REAL proud of yourself/yourselves and all the damage you've brought into the lives of someone else AND, in so many instances, with the arrogant and ignorant and aggressive pretense/belief of 'trying to do the right thing'".

I don't want what is intended as a "filler post" to now come across as "mini-manifesto type of type of thing".  (We all know what is thought of people who write "manifestos" on the Internet.)  So, in the interest of not wanting to risk the appearance of writing a manifesto (or at least not one of "THOSE types of manifestos", I'll end here before I run the risk of doing what far too many people do, which is to toss out words and ideas and conclusions and opinions based on inadequate information and lack of reason/logic. So, for now, I'll hold off and once again resist the urge to (as they say) name names.  I value words and accuracy too much. 

So there you have it....    a post written on January 25, 2016.   I seriously doubt this blog/post gets many (if any) readers.  (That's one reason I use it for posting "nothing" posts.)

Of Writers and (Essentially) Whether They're A Problem In Relationships

These days, as I continue to kind of wait and see what's going on with HubPages and my own online writing, I haven't been posting much writing there (at least for now).  I do, however, go there to see what's going on.  And, if I'm really bored I'll go see if there are any questions in their "Answers" section that I feel like answering.

Someone on there asked if writers are "hard to love".  The person brought up putting emotions into words, but also seemed to imply writers just "put out there" whatever their emotions are.  I could write a book on some of the misconceptions I've run into (but I won't here).  I don't even know if I may have not entirely interpreted the particular question completely corrected. 

In any case, I thought I'd post my answer here since I don't have much else to post on here right now.

I think people need to be very careful about automatically assuming that the person who writes, even stuff that has "some emotional element" to it, doesn't have some major, major, boundaries with regard to how much of his own emotional stuff, IF ANY, he'll share.

While "writer types" may tend most often to be quiet, introspective, types until they start writing, I think people have to realize that people who lean toward being "very tuned in to" "human"/"people"/emotional areas can be SO tuned in that they can fairly skillfully create the impression of not keeping any emotional secrets and/or of just "putting it all out there" when, in fact, they may well be keeping to them-self a "universe-worth" of their own "emotional stuff"/thoughts.

Of course, there are people who unload big, out-of-control, "emotion" in what is clearly similarly out-of-control writing or "pouring one's heart out". I, personally, am not one of those people. I'll write "emotional stuff" only once I've processed it to the point where I'm only calling upon an "old mental file" for a frame-of-reference and whatever it has little/no "emotional factor" associated with it beyond its just being a memory (good or bad).

In other words, I think unless someone's writing is full maniacal rantings that are clearly someone's need to wildly vent, or else nothing but morose wallowing in self-pity without regard for dignity; I don't think people should automatically think that a writer is going to put out there more than he/she would say in person anyway.

Writing is nothing more than a way of communicating well. People need to stop thinking there's "something weird about it". People who have good "human/relationships" skills are also often very comfortable with writing. It's a mistake to assume that person who has had enough of a life, and enough meaningful relationships, to have some "old mental files" as a frame-of-reference or resource does not filter what he shares. To the (extreme) contrary, I think.

Of "Behavior-Problem Kids" and Whether They Should Be Placed in Schools for "Bad" Kids

There was an online question that asked for thoughts/opinions on schools "for bad kids".  Whenever I answer those online questions (in this case, HubPages questions) I figure I may as well post the same answer on a blog.

I don't like the idea of thinking of, or labeling, kids as "bad".  I think, though, that there are children who do better with more structure and less opportunity for (lack of a better way to describe it) for "freedom" to be a problem to other kids either within the class or during "free time" (recess, for example).  Also, it makes a difference how old old the students in question are.

To me, regardless the type of approach used by the teachers/school, the youngest of kids need a certain amount of structure and (obviously) adequate and capable supervision as the framework within which the approach to "teaching style" needs to operate.  As far as free time, like recess, goes; I don't think any good-sized group of kids does very well without adequate supervision keeping an eye on the goings on.

So, to me, with the youngest of students, I just think if a child has trouble "going with the program" but isn't a child who is routinely aggressive towards others, or who is not routinely disruptive in class (within the context of his/her age - that's obviously not a "bad" child.  If there's a child who, on the other hand,is aggressive and unruly regularly then I pretty much think a) that "children's services" should be contacted in order to check into what, at home, is making a child be routinely aggressive/unruly so that the child's "issue" can be addressed.  (Maybe the child just has the kind of parent who didn't know how to prepare him well for school and/or for having the kind of self-control needed not to be acting aggressively toward others.  I'm not suggesting that the child be taken away from clueless parents - just that the parents/family could use some level-headed guidance.)

Schools for "bad kids"?  No. Schools that know how to address the needs of routinely aggressive/out-of-control kids (without using aggression/lack of respect toward them)?  Yes.

A Post About This Blog

As I continue to try to figure out what to do, if anything, with my "ton" of free-time online-writing, I've reached a point where I want any online-writing time to be divided among three categories, with one of those categories being the very broad one that includes any of the "zillions" of blogs I have in varying stages of development and the remaining two categories including anything I decide to write on HubPages and then this blog, on which I'll continue to post anything that "seems like a good idea at the time". 

I won't go into all the issues associated with any of those other "zillions" of blogs (etc.) that I have.  They're a long-term type of thing, so the short story about anything else I have online (other than on HubPages and this blog) is that one thing or another is either going to be closed, moved, or further developed if/when the time comes.

At least I've reached the point where I kind of know what I have online and where (for the most part).  Even with that, I still haven't cleaned out (or cleaned up) any number of things I have on HubPages under the pen-name that I no longer use.

One problem is/has been that years' worth of online, free-time, writing amount to only a small part of anything else I have stored in my computer.  There's stuff I've completed but not posted anywhere, stuff I've completed but don't plan to post anywhere online, and a bunch of stuff that isn't completed and either is or isn't going to be posted online.  

Then, too, there's a ton of stuff that I've removed from one online place or another (and that may/may not need to be altered before doing anything else with it).

The point is, if/when I now have the time or inclination to want to write anything online I pretty much want to simplify things by just posting whatever I feel like posting on this, one, blog and then seeing what happens with regard to what I decide to post (or delete - or "whatever") among the stuff in those other categories I mentioned.  Addressing the matters of any of that other stuff isn't a big emergency.  There are times when I've gotten in the mood to just delete everything and start all over, but that wouldn't be wise - at least not right now.   Besides, as time has gone on I've been gradually de-emphasizing anything that should be de-emphasized.  The stuff is there.  I figure, it isn't bothering anyone.  Besides, quite a big of thought and effort went into building that "collection" of stuff (of varied levels of quality).  I'm just not someone for not someone who does well by not tying up loose ends.

Why Do Some People Seem To Get Over Failures and Set-Backs While Others Don't

I ran into a question online (on HubPages) that asked (essentially) what the title of this post does.  This is the reply I posted to that question (since on HubPages one never really knows if his reply will be, or remain, posted;  and I figured my "thoughts on the matter" would make a better post on here than not posting anything.
I don't necessarily think some "adversities" (or just "generally bad things that happen") are the things that contribute to someone's eventual success or general well-being.  I think in many cases people either go into what the the bad thing is with a healthy perspective and ability to figure out out to cope, how to to manage the thing (and its consequences), etc.; or else people unprepared for some types of "bad things" are hit with them and didn't have what it took in the first place to survive them.

I think it makes a big difference how old someone is, how responsible for other people (like their children/family, for example) they are, how much their "bad thing" has affected them, etc.  And, I think WHAT the bad thing is/was makes a big difference too.

Some bad things prepare people for other bad things, of course.  So, I suppose, if one or another type of bad thing isn't so devastating (to the individual and/or his family) some bad things can make good practice for others that may follow.  Some may knock people's whole lives for such a loop that they affect more than just the individual.  Sometimes the person who must make accommodations because of the bad thing must make less-than-ideal choices (like taking a job away from one's once promising career in order to support children).

How much of one's "identity" one has built on one area of life or another can affect how devastating a blow any "bad thing" is too.

Then, too, what shouldn't be overlooked is that some temporary and apparent set-backs don't mean the person hasn't gotten past them. - only that he hasn't gotten past them YET.  Sometimes, too, if the person didn't care all that much about the particular failure in the first place, he'll just not bother trying to do better at the same kind of thing, particularly if the person has other areas of interest, talent, or mix of priorities in life..

Online Writing - On Calling Oneself, "Writer"

Somebody on the HubPages forum asked about people's thoughts on when it's appropriate for someone who posts (on that particular site, but I'm assuming that would apply to similar sites) to call himself "a writer".

I don't have a lot of Hubs on my "WordCrafter09" HubPages account (because I've deleted some since I first started that account five (or so) years ago.  In recent times I've been using the WordCrafter09 blog as a "transition site"  as I've shifted from using a long-time, online, pen-name to my own name.

Since I've only recent removed the "WordCrafter" blog from my HubPages profile (and replaced it with this one), I thought this post would make sense (at least for now and while there are not many Hubs on the "WordCrafter09" account.

Also, I thought it may make some sense to copy my long HP forum post about online writers' calling themselves, "a writer".  Here's the forum post:

To me, if you're, say, earning your full-time living as as, say, a hairdresser; and you write about hairdressing on HubPages; or if you're earning your full-time living as, say, an auto mechanic and all your Hubs are about that; AND if you're earning enough from your Hubs (or other, similar, online, writing) that you need to file a self-employment form...   I'd say you should call yourself whatever you are in your full-time work but with the earnings from HP it would probably be correct to call yourself "writer".  (I forget what any of the options on the self-employment form are.  I do know there's the thing about sole proprietorship - but I forget what other options there are for "calling yourself something"  There's also the "other income" thing on tax forms.  So, I don't know, someone who makes a few extra dollars writing Hubs but not enough to file a self-employment form may (if this is appropriate for them, but, I don't pretend to know anything about anything other than what I've done myself with the self-employment form) end up using the "other-income thing" on their "main" form.

If a hairdresser or auto mechanic who writes about their own field of expertise makes little or no money with their Hubs they don't have to worry about what to call them-self (other than what they always call themselves on their tax forms).  If I were writing on those terms on HP I'd call myself "hairdresser" or "auto mechanic" on here as well (in the author bio, on the profile) because I think that would work to anyone's advantage.

For a writer who is working for a company in any writing capacity and/or for someone who earns his/her living writing on their own, I think that goes back to thing about what would belong on tax forms associated with that one line of work, writing.  I think that person should obviously call himself, "writer".

I think the person who has made money in any writing capacity, including freelance writing could "legitimately" describe himself/herself as a "writer" on here.  Also, I think if someone devotes serious time to one or more writing projects of any kind but hasn't yet reached the stage of marketing and/or earning anything from it; it would be reasonable to call themself "a writer" (or "published author", which would be better still; but particularly for someone who, say, writes creative fiction or poetry, I don't think there's anything wrong with just saying that (but if the person is a hairdresser in "real life" I don't think there's anything wrong with saying (on this site, at least) that one is a hairdresser who is working on a first novel.  If the person writes fiction (for example) on here, I don't think there's anything wrong with just calling himself a "fiction writer" working on a first novel" on here (this site).

I had times when my kids were little when I was only making part-time money writing and/or when I'd do more writing at one time than at another time; and whether way back then or in more recent times, I've had projects that I've worked on but put on one or another back-burner.  Then, too, I've had times when I've made money writing online, on through some online company (and sometimes earned more from writing than at other times).

Depending on who (or what form) was doing the asking, I've at times called myself, "unemployed writer", at other times called myself, "writer", and yet at other times called myself, "part-time writer".  Then, too, there have been times when I've had one or another "writing thing" going on but just called myself "unemployed" because it was easier to just say that than try to explain either to someone unfamiliar with "the complexities" of my own writing-related efforts, aims, long-term, goals, etc. (not to mention the complications of a number of things in my life);  or else to someone who wasn't interested anyway.

I have always separated any offline writing efforts and any "for-hire" efforts from what I write online "for myself".  Since I've made income with both (enough to need to file those tax forms) I think it's reasonable enough to call myself "writer" on here BUT I've always tried to highlight my background/efforts as they relate to the stuff I write online, and for myself (and/or because I just want to for one or another reason).

If  you think about it, the only times one has to decide what to call himself are generally either on forms or one kind or another), on things like profiles/bios (in which case, I'd say, "aim to be as honest as is called for within the context of whatever the profile/bio is" (and if you're a hairdresser who bakes wedding cakes as a hobby then just say that).  In offline/personal life, there are the people who know you and don't require you to call yourself anything.  Then there are the people you just meet or are just getting to know, in which cases there's usually also opportunity to explain things like, "aspiring novelist" or "online article-writer".

These days, at least until I see what I want to do from here on and with regard to stuff I've written online, I'd call myself "nothing" while I re-organize, sort out, and decide about stuff/accounts that need spiffing up, polishing, or deleting.  The only thing I've been writing ONLINE  in recent times has been what I call, "blah blah", on one or another of my own blogs.  When I decide what to do with any number of the pieces/projects I have stored in my PC (because of any number of issues with online posting and/or because they aren't things I'd post on the Internet anyway), then I'll stop calling myself "nothing", "part-time writer", and/or "unemployed writer" and take it from there.  (Tax season is months away.   I have no real need to worry about what I call myself right now anyway.   :)  ).