I just logged onto my blog as it’s about time for another post, with no idea what I was going to write about, and stumbled across a list of recent posts on blogs I follow, with links. How did I never discover it before now?
That happens to me so often with technology, which I make no claims to have mastered, and – even more galling – with life. It’s always struck me as a devastating stroke of irony that we learn from experience, because there are situations in life where we need to acquire knowledge before the experience and, once the experience is over the knowledge becomes superfluous. If only I’d known something – anything – about parenting before my children arrived. Yes, I learned a lot about parenting through being a mother and, with the uncomfortable 'benefit' of hindsight could do it all so much better now…
Writing encapsulates the sting of hindsight because once a book is published you can reread it – and it’s too late to change anything! As a rule I’m not one for looking back with regrets, but I wonder if other people’s stories turn out exactly how they want them to be.
Would you change anything about your writing if you could turn the clock back?
11 comments:
No I don't think I would change anything other than grammar mistakes or misspelling errors.
Life is too short to keep looking backwards, it is about going forward and enjoying the experiences of each day.
You are absolutely right, Val. A timely reminder. Thank you.
I try not to look back and don't like to regret anything, if at all possible.
Good for you, Debs!
One of the advantages of not getting my book published at time of going to press, is it is still a moveable feast. Just today a thought was triggered and I decided to enlarge on one of the children I nursed. She has always been there at the back of my mind in a faintly troubling way.
Good for you, Pat. I just had a thought about Dead End - too late as it's already been printed! The idea probably wouldn't have worked anyway. There comes a point when you just HAVE to let go. The MS isn't mine any more.
I would probably have studied grammar or at least paid attention in school. But, I need to get my butt in gear and plow on.
I don't think you're writing has suffered at all, Clarissa! And you're certainly knowledgeable.
We are not born with knowledge so we rely on others to impart it. Why then are so many people loath to pass on what they know? Is it a control thing. Perhaps we should all have a 'passing on of knowledge' day when we tell someone else a special something that we know but they don't.
That's a lovely idea, Star. As a parent and a teacher I've spent much of my life trying to pass on 'knowledge' - sometimes I succeed!
That's a lovely idea, Star. As a parent and a teacher I've spent much of my life trying to pass on 'knowledge' - sometimes I succeed!
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