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I love to write but I love editing even more. I haven't written in quite some time. I feel the desire but, my depression comes up with excuses why I can't.

When I came out of treatment January 4th after attempting suicide Christmas Eve morning, I'd wanted to start a blog to educate people about mental illness. Especially depression. Society can understand how someone can hear/see things that aren't there. But, for some reason, society is incapable of processing how someone's brain can be so miswired as to say they don't deserve life or to say they need to eat a whole cake because it'll make them feel better (I've actually been fighting the urge to go to the grocery store down the street and buy a birthday cake type of cake then come home and imitate the fat kid in Matilda, eating the whole cake in front of the school, except, my only audience would be my cat.)

But, anyway, I've wanted to start that blog but, my depression gives the same excuses, with an addition- no one will read it. No one will be interested.

And, if we have any aspiring writers, I'd be happy to look over your work.

Melbates 7 Mar 22
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0

Thank you for your comment on my writing. From what group did you read? I understand your point about text speak. I should have been more clear. I was talking about voice command on my devices. I find that my thoughts can be 'penned' more quickly through voice rather than through finger movements, words per minute wise. As soon as I verify my thoughts for my next sentence, my brain has moved on to what will follow so I want to note the former as quickly as possible.Depending on the flow of where I want to go is when my continuation proceeds until I regroup, reread and discover how much editing is necessary. Usually, my writing is impulsive when I am inspired by whatever. I am not sure how to write, not send and have edited by you or anyone else. By the time everyone reads it, it's too late. If you have any ideas, let me know. As a matter of fact, you can edit this message and teach me what I did wrong, other than lack of paragraphs.

TommyRyan Level 5 Mar 24, 2018

@tommyryan My apologies. I was only referencing the writing of your comment. I haven't read any of your official writing, as of yet.

Okay, now I understand. I don't think that's an issue, the voice command. If that's how you're writing your comments then, it works.

Well, you are correct, in messages longer than a few sentences, paragraphs are usually the best bet. Not only because of the writing rules but also because, when the human eye views a piece of text and it's nothing but words, no breaks, no indents, no breathing room, it overwhelms the reader and they are unable to focus, not only because there seems to be a lot but also because the eye may get confused.

How many times have you read to the edge of the page, your eye floats back to the other edge to continue the sentence but you end up re-reading the same sentence? That's because the eye and brain were overwhelmed.

I only see basic, minor corrections to your comment, like the space after the period and before the new word. There is also a sentence which confuses me but, it may have been the voice-to-text. The sentence starts "I'm not sure how to write...." I can only guess you were saying your unsure what steps to take toward publication neither do you know who to send it to.

What do you mean "by the time everyone reads it, it's too late?"

0

You would have a field day with my stuff. I primarily talk message and talk text and spend half of my time proofreading and editing. There is just so much. Grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure and upper case and lower case. Smart devices are wonderful but my device isn't so smart. Or, perhaps it's my New Jersey accent. I post most of my writings in the gun control group and the amateur poets group. Maybe I could leave as-is, send to you and save myself a lot of time. Be well and stay well.

TommyRyan Level 5 Mar 23, 2018

@tommyryan It seems you write pretty well. When I say "text speak" I'm referring to the so-called abbreviations like l8r g8r and things of that nature.

0

What are your qualifications as an editor? I have a piece that needs a little sharpening but we don't know each other.

Wrytyr Level 7 Mar 23, 2018
0

I do write stuff, sometimes people read,some times they don't,I don't care at all if they read or not, I write because I find happiness in writing, read my note I just posted and see the errors.

Humanlove Level 7 Mar 23, 2018

@0752532706 I think you write fairly well, especially since I can only guess that English is not your first language. Only issue I immediately noticed was spacing between words. But, I know that can happen when using a mobile device and typing on this site, since it happens to me quite often.

1

@Melbates -- Yep. I've been serving on and off as a content editor for a bit over 50 years now. I've been freelancing for a bit over 20 years and agree that it can be gratifying work. However, there are times when the author can turn life into a nightmare and place demands on ones patience that stretch the envelope to near breaking. My greatest enjoyment comes when I can tell that a new author has learned some important point or an experienced one says, "Ha! I didn't see that possibility. Thanks."

@evidentialist

I know I replied to you the day you responded but, for some reason, the comment no longer exists.

So, to repeat, for the first time, ha ha....

I don't have specific qualifications or experience. I do have my Associate's in English. But, only three years towards my bachelor's. I dropped out due to six suicide attempts in six months plus the weight of student debt.

I usually did it as a favor for friends in college (which was just five years ago). But, I also rewrote the employee handbook and the safety manual for a daycare. Later on, I edited the books for a church's culinary school. Sadly, the man who ran the school, his way of putting the book together was to copy and paste from numerous websites. My job was to erase all indications of it's source. Yes, I know it was illegal but this was a volunteer job which I was desperately hoping would become paid work. It did not.

I wrote for the Texas Wesleyan University student newspaper, The Rambler, for two years. I only spent one semester as page editor, though. I questioned myself. I didn't believe my editing of the page, or the work to be featured on the page, was the end all, be all. I wanted someone to look over my work, give me pointers, guide me. They just wanted it done, whether it was good or bad didn't matter. I don't learn after the fact i.e. the mistakes being pointed out once the newspaper was published. But, they weren't willing to teach me during the editing process.

You can find my work by Googling my old student email address. It's no longer valid so I am unconcerned with giving it out. mdbates@mail.txwes.edu

You will find the Issuu website. Sadly, Wesleyan doesn't keep their websites archives up to date so, this external site with the PDF's is the only way to find my work.

You can also Google me. "Melissa Bates Texas Wesleyan" You will find the articles written about me, the broadcast news features and a few of my public speaking engagements.

@wrytyr Please see above.

0

There are no excuses. That's only what you don't, It's all in your head. Thanks. Might take you up. 🙂

jeffy Level 7 Mar 23, 2018

@jeffy Well, yea. That's where depression starts. In the head.

@MelbatesThe trick is, do shit. Works for me. A rolling brain gathers no moss

@jeffy What works for you may not work for another. Have a bit of compassion for those suffering from profound depression (to the point of attempting suicide). The first thing to go when one is truly depressed is the ability to "do shit." Next best thing is to do ANYTHING, and it seems as though @Melbates IS doing something, just not the original writing she would like to feel like doing. I get that, totally.

@Sooz Yeah, that was my point. Encouragement and friendship is my offering. Dwelling on depression only builds a bigger house to be lost inside.

@Sooz Thank you for your support.

@jeffy I appreciate your attempt to offer encouragement and friendship but it originally came off as a little harsh, like someone who has no understanding of depression. But, it seems you do. I totally get how "doing shit" works for you but I'm lucky to make it to work every day. Sometimes, I feel so weighed down, I don't even want to type a response online. But, thank you for trying.

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