Call yourself a writer? A meme from me to you

READING various blog posts in recent days has got me thinking about writing.

So many brilliant bloggers are authors, journalists, aspiring novelists or poets. Some can consider themselves "just" bloggers and don't acknowledge what stars they are. Others wouldn't want to work for a 'dead tree' publication in a million years.

But do any of these writers reflect on the influence their words have had often enough? No, I'm not sure that they do.

So, in a bid to celebrate the achievements of blogging writers - however major or minor they consider them - I have put together a meme, which I am imaginatively naming the "Call Yourself a Writer?" meme. 

This is how it goes, with my answers included, to get the ball rolling:

Which words do you use too much in your writing?

Rude ones.

Which words do you consider overused in stuff you read?

Every parent's nightmare. Every girl's dream.

What's your favourite piece of writing by you? 

A report from St Petersburg about a campaigning group called Memorial.

What blog post do you wish you'd written?

This one, about unrequited love for Mickey Mouse.

Also - mostly anything by Keris.

Regrets, do you have a few? Is there anything you wish you hadn't written?

Plenty. A piece about a woman feeding her husband a cat food pie springs to mind. This was considered a great tabloid story at the time, as it filled most of a front-of-the-book page of a redtop, but I know it caused hurt and I can't bear that.

How has your writing made a difference? What do you consider your most important piece of writing?

I consider myself a very average person, with average concerns, so have been bowled over by the response when I have spoken up about issues which have affected my life, as other people tell me what I have written has touched them and helped them in some way.

I'm referring to pieces on binge eating and depression.

When I worked for regional papers, I worked on various campaigns and the most notable was with the parents of a girl who died after being hit by a stolen car.

They campaigned for justice and a change in the law. It went to Parliament and they were as satisfied as they could be with the result. I worked closely with them and my reports helped swell their petition.

Years ago, I also remember interviewing one of the Birmingham Six, Paddy Hill and it was at a time when they were starting to say a lot more publicly than had been said before and I took a great deal of professional pride in seeing my story picked up so widely. More recently I reported on online memorials for The Guardian, this was by no means a major piece, but as a result of it being written calls were made for a code of conduct and awareness was raised on the ethics of dealing with bereaved people.

Also more recently, my blog about twins and multiple births, here at You've Got Your Hands Full, has been very rewarding as I have seen parents seek information they haven't been able to find elsewhere and that's also thanks to Becky.

Name three favourite words

I love you/You are beautiful

...And three words you're not so keen on

Gah, meh, eep.

Do you have a writing mentor, role model or inspiration?

Going back 20 years, my journalism course tutor, Brian Mason. I can still hear his voice in my head sometimes now when I start to write something. He's usually asking if it has to be that crap. More recently bloggers/authors/journalists Alice Castle and Jane Alexander have shown me unstinting support and encouragement when I have dared to show them stuff previously hidden away and I will be forever grateful for the confidence they have given me when it comes to more creative writing endeavours. In between, I should namecheck Mark, Gyppo, Nick Daws and others at My Writers Circle who have offered valuable constructive criticism on various bits and bobs over a couple of years.I'm inspired in real life by the very talented writer behind Fourdownmumtogo. A piece she wrote about a close family member's illness should have been showered with awards, in my humble opinion.

What's your writing ambition?

At work - to keep on in these tough times. Outside of work, rather predictably, I'd love to find time (sorry make that, make time) to work on a novel.

Plug alert!  List any work you would like to tell your readers about:

My oh-so-modestly titled book - The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in The World. 

TwitterTitters - a charity collection of new comedy writing. It was pulled together and published in under a month (and it shows) but we wanted to try something new and boost Comic Relief. It includes an expletive-filled short story from me, plus other works by some excellent and exciting new talent.

While I'm at it - please visit www.havealovelytime.com - for holiday and activity reports by parents for parents.

Thank you!

So now I'm tagging some of the people who have inspired this meme. Here's hoping they don't all ignore me.

Nick Daws

Fourdownmumtogo

Alice Castle

Tim Atkinson

Keris

Becky at deepmuckbigrake

Jo Beaufoix

Exmoorjane

Joanne Mallon

Tara Cain

Singleparentdad

EnglishMum

I'd also like to ask Wordsmith as I know her (am I allowed to say 'her'?) answers will be pure gold. If my TwitterTitters comrades are about, I'd like to ask them too.

(I've done double as I consider this a 'first round' like the one in Deal or No Deal where they get to open twice as many boxes.)

I'd also like to throw it open to all the members of the British Mummy Bloggers' Writing group in the hope we can get to know each other better.

The rules:

If you have time to do this meme, then please link to my original, then link to three to five other bloggers and pass it on, asking them to answer your questions and link to you. You can add, remove or change one question as you go. You absolutely do not have to be what you may think of as a "published" or "successful" writer to respond to this meme, I hope people can take the time to reflect on what their blogging has brought them and how it has been useful to others.

An apology

I've been tagged by Dulwich Divorcee, Nixdminx and Parentdish on a couple of memes already doing the rounds. But I have rather pathetically opted to do a new one instead for now. I hope I can still do the others but every time I have tried to pass them on in the past, I've ended up asking people who have already done it or largely been ignored. Gah, meh and eep.

Comments

[notSupermum]

Linda, I love reading your blog and articles and would count you as one of my inspirations. You're a real, proper grown-up writer and I'd like to be like you when I grow up!

[Linda]

Oh my, hello :) thanks for being so so kind! But it's complete nonsense you know. A few of the people I've listed here have met me in real life - and one used to live with me - so they could soon put you straight! In fact a lovely old friend got in touch last night and asked if I was "still falling off walls." Sadly, the answer was yes. Arf.

[diane]

Ha, every time I type "gah" or even "pah" and especially "meh" (three of my favourites) I think of you and feel a bit shamefaced!

I will have a go at this when I've sorted out my blog, I think...

[Linda]

Thanks Diane. :) Look forward to your answers.

Want to know the other one that winds me up (for no sane reason?) Starting a sentence with: Is it just me or...?'
The answer's yes. Next question.

[See what Louise said here!]

Louise Bolotin has responded to this meme here:

http://louisebolotin.com/2009/08/09/call-yourself-a-writer/

Thanks Louise!

[I knew it would be a corker]

The Wordsmith has risen to the challenge here:
http://diaryofawordsmith.blogspot.com/2009/08/call-yourself-writer.html

And what a riser he/she is.

(Am posting this link as a comment as trackbacks don't appear to be working.)

[Dulwich Divorcee]

Well, I've met you in real life, Linda, and KNOW that you are an amazing, grown-up writer and will definitely get published. All you need to do is give up those pesky day jobs ......very, very touched by the mention, thank you xxx

[exmoorjane]

Oh wow. THANK YOU SO MUCH, Linda. But seriously, you are such a stunning writer you ought not to need any encouragement or validation from anyone else (though I know, I know - I am exactly the same! And, who knows, maybe good writers are always questioning themselves, always wanting to be better). Sorry I have been an arsebiscuit blogger and tweeter and commentator recently - have been battling my own writing demons with regard to fiction.
But I know, just KNOW that one day I will be holding your published novel in my hands and boasting like fury to everyone who will listen, 'Hey, I KNOW her!' And I will be so proud, but not the remotest bit surprised.
In the meantime I just have the most huge respect for you as a journalist and blogger and all-round fabulous human being.
Janexxxxxx

[A Modern Mother]

Wow you have done some amazing things. I really don't know how you do it all.

[Platespinner]

Hi Linda, thanks for putting together this meme; it's really thought provoking. I've joined in after seeing your comment on BMB writer's group!

Platespinner

[Keris]

What a fabulous meme and thank you so much for the lovely mention, particularly since I use gah, meh and eep all the time.

Will do it later this week. K x

[Nick Daws]

OK, I've posted my response. Click on my name (below) to read it!

[Jo Beaufoix]

I am soooo behind on memes. Give me a kick when you see me next and I'll hopefully get there. :D Ta for including me though.

[Crystal Jigsaw]

Just wanted to come and read your meme, really enjoyed it and well done on creating it yourself.

CJ xx

[FOXRachael]

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OK, I've posted my response. Click on my name (below) to read it!

[Replica jerseys]

What a fabulous meme and thank you so much for the lovely mention, particularly since I use gah, meh and eep all the time.