Soon after I published the last post I started sneezing and developing an earache, and I'm actually now feeling quite ill. I'm a bit under-the-weather this week and that might partly explain why what I wrote earlier was so bad-tempered. I still feel the same way about Zoe Williams' article, but maybe calling the post 'Do shut up, Zoe' was a bit excessive. With this in mind, I would like to say a very small sorry for that bit.
Sorry.
Fugs and Pieces: December 23
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And here it is: Our last post before the holiday break. For me, that means
spiking my hot chocolate with kahlua -- or rather, spiking my kahlua with a
litt...
5 hours ago
9 readers just couldn't let me have the last word:
Sounds like you are too late: Zoe has already cast her spell.
Hahaaa. I underestimated her powers!
She's had a baby recently (she may have mentioned it once or twice) and so is in touch with gaia, probably, so cross her at your peril.
Oof, it *was* a bit harsh. Writers, in general, are relatively insecure about their ability so any criticism can seem harsh (even if it's deserved). Having said that, she's Zoe Williams so I'm sure she can take it.
I'll probably get lynched for this (I do feel like I'm blaspheming) but I feel that way about Charlie Brooker sometimes. He's very talented and funny but some of his articles are so obviously published because he's Charlie Brooker.
Now I feel inclined to add a little 'sorry' here.
Thanks for the comment Kia - I know you've written for the Guardian yourself so it's interesting to hear your perspective on this.
Charlie's actually a really good friend of mine, and I know this will sound biased but I think he's exceptionally talented*. I can't think of any funnier journalists off the top of my head. Of course everyone has off days, and Charlie himself is often critical of his own work, but even the articles that he considers disasters are often still laugh-out-loud funny. Personally I don't feel that Zoe Williams is as consistently readable, and the article I mentioned yesterday really was bad. But that's just my opinion.
*He's also utterly disorganised, occasionally grumpy, and completely impractical. Just to show that I'm not biased about him in every respect.
I don’t think you should feel the need to apologise. I agree with your response to her article wholeheartedly and, even if I didn’t, it was balanced and well-argued. I think that if you’re lucky enough to be in a position where your articles are published to a wide audience (or a small one, come to that), you really ought to be able to take some constructive and intelligent criticism. There are so many talented writers out there who would give their right arm to be in her position, and so it’s her responsibility to a) maintain high standards by not producing sloppy work and b) take a bit of criticism on the chin. So you stick to your guns, lady!
Zoe Williams? She's a heifer and she's got awful teeth. You'd think a woman in her position could afford a trip to the orthodontist.
they have orthodontists in England?
(I just wanted to join in the hazing but because I don't know who Zoe is or have read her stuff - I may have gone the wrong way with this one)
Hope you feel better soon
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