Harlan's blog?

[palmer.william]

Harlan Ellison would probably never consider doing a
blog.

That's too bad, because he has a number of gifts that
would make him a top-notch blogger. He's spontaneous,
able to compose quickly without feeling he has to rewrite
his every sentence fifty times, and never seems to be
lacking in original ideas and startling, uniquely-
expressed opinions.

What annoys me about the blogging activities of
the few famous writers Ihave seen doing blogs is
that they take a dilettante approach to blogging.
It is sort of like their blog is just meant to be another
feather in their cap, somethng they can brag about in
their next few interview to show that they are net-hip.
As far as I am concerned, a famous writer who
does a blog for only a couple of weeks is playing
at blogging--not challenging himself or herself to
explore new literary forms.

Further, I suspect that most famous literary writers
are far too hung up on themselves to stand up to
the challenge of expressing themselves openly and
spontaneously day in and day out for any length
of time. They would probably tie themsleves in
knots worrying about writing something that would
detract from their image. Then there are the
prose-polishers who likely tremble at the thought
of publishing anything that isn't as carefully worked
over as a burnished gem--for them, blogging
would be out of the question because it would
involve far too much unpaid labor. They are
not exactly people who write for the pure fun
of it.

I think Harlan Ellison is far too honest to ever be
that sort of blogger. . He could take 15 minutes
to one-half hour a day and still do a terrific blog.
(I know, because back in the Eighties I was awed
to see him sit in the display window of a book
shop and write a great short story in a very
short time.) Even so, I suppose this post
is wishful thinking, because from what I have
heard, he doesn't like the net


the alt.genius.bill-palmer
--firing posts at passersby at random from a window
in the office upstairs from rec.arts.prose.

[RufusTFirefly]

Post by palmer.william
Harlan Ellison would probably never consider doing a
blog.
That's too bad, because he has a number of gifts that
would make him a top-notch blogger. He's spontaneous,
able to compose quickly without feeling he has to rewrite
his every sentence fifty times, and never seems to be
lacking in original ideas and startling, uniquely-
expressed opinions.
What annoys me about the blogging activities of
the few famous writers Ihave seen doing blogs is
that they take a dilettante approach to blogging.
It is sort of like their blog is just meant to be another
feather in their cap, somethng they can brag about in
their next few interview to show that they are net-hip.
As far as I am concerned, a famous writer who
does a blog for only a couple of weeks is playing
at blogging--not challenging himself or herself to
explore new literary forms.
Further, I suspect that most famous literary writers
are far too hung up on themselves to stand up to
the challenge of expressing themselves openly and
spontaneously day in and day out for any length
of time. They would probably tie themsleves in
knots worrying about writing something that would
detract from their image. Then there are the
prose-polishers who likely tremble at the thought
of publishing anything that isn't as carefully worked
over as a burnished gem--for them, blogging
would be out of the question because it would
involve far too much unpaid labor. They are
not exactly people who write for the pure fun
of it.
I think Harlan Ellison is far too honest to ever be
that sort of blogger. . He could take 15 minutes
to one-half hour a day and still do a terrific blog.
(I know, because back in the Eighties I was awed
to see him sit in the display window of a book
shop and write a great short story in a very
short time.) Even so, I suppose this post
is wishful thinking, because from what I have
heard, he doesn't like the net
the alt.genius.bill-palmer
--firing posts at passersby at random from a window
in the office upstairs from rec.arts.prose.

Horseshit.

Professional writers need to get paid to live. You want them to give it
away for free.

Given the low level of discourse on the 'net, I am not suprised that HE
does not like it.

[palmer.william]

Post by RufusTFirefly

Post by palmer.william
Harlan Ellison would probably never consider doing a
blog.
That's too bad, because he has a number of gifts that
would make him a top-notch blogger. He's spontaneous,
able to compose quickly without feeling he has to rewrite
his every sentence fifty times, and never seems to be
lacking in original ideas and startling, uniquely-
expressed opinions.
What annoys me about the blogging activities of
the few famous writers Ihave seen doing blogs is
that they take a dilettante approach to blogging.
It is sort of like their blog is just meant to be another
feather in their cap, somethng they can brag about in
their next few interview to show that they are net-hip.
As far as I am concerned, a famous writer who
does a blog for only a couple of weeks is playing
at blogging--not challenging himself or herself to
explore new literary forms.
Further, I suspect that most famous literary writers
are far too hung up on themselves to stand up to
the challenge of expressing themselves openly and
spontaneously day in and day out for any length
of time. They would probably tie themsleves in
knots worrying about writing something that would
detract from their image. Then there are the
prose-polishers who likely tremble at the thought
of publishing anything that isn't as carefully worked
over as a burnished gem--for them, blogging
would be out of the question because it would
involve far too much unpaid labor. They are
not exactly people who write for the pure fun
of it.
I think Harlan Ellison is far too honest to ever be
that sort of blogger. . He could take 15 minutes
to one-half hour a day and still do a terrific blog.
(I know, because back in the Eighties I was awed
to see him sit in the display window of a book
shop and write a great short story in a very
short time.) Even so, I suppose this post
is wishful thinking, because from what I have
heard, he doesn't like the net
the alt.genius.bill-palmer
--firing posts at passersby at random from a window
in the office upstairs from rec.arts.prose.

Horseshit.
Professional writers need to get paid to live.

Not necessarily. Doing a blog could certainly
be more fun than work. If not, why are so
many writers doing free blogs now? And, in
fact, quite a few professional writers are doing
blogs and not getting paid for them already--
what makes a rich and famous writer too hoity-
toity to do what some of his less famous and
less well paid fellow-professionals are doing?
Why does someone who is making millions a
year "need to get paid to live" while someone
who writes just as much or more and makes
twenty or thirty thousand a year does NOT
have to get paid for the half hour or hour
he or she puts into the blog every other day
or whatever?

You want them to give it

Post by RufusTFirefly
away for free.

If their lesser paid counterparts in the profession
can do it, why can't those multi-millionaire writers
do it too?

Post by RufusTFirefly
Given the low level of discourse on the 'net, I am not suprised that HE
does not like it.

That's pretty silly. In the first place, a blog is not
Usenet where you have to dive into the thoughtstream.
A blog is more like traditional publishing: You say what
you want to, and no one can follow you up with wise-ass
comments. Further, when I hear people like you
complain about the "level of discourse," I always
wonder why you are not trying to raise it instead of
whining.

[Jimvanhise]

Well, he doesn't have a blog but he does post on line in this area of his
official web site. http://harlanellison.com/heboard/unca.htm

[Jay G]

Post by Jimvanhise
Well, he doesn't have a blog but he does post on line in this area of his
official web site. http://harlanellison.com/heboard/unca.htm

Damn it man! Now he knows!

-Jay

[Bill Warren]

Post by palmer.william

Post by RufusTFirefly
Professional writers need to get paid to live.

Not necessarily.

You want to run that by us again? Professional writers DON'T need to get paid?

What's the difference between a blog and a personal website, one of which
Harlan already has. And what does "blog" mean anyway?

Post by palmer.william
what makes a rich and famous writer too hoity-
toity to do what some of his less famous and
less well paid fellow-professionals are doing?

Harlan is hardly rich. And you think it's "hoity-toity" of him to expect to be
paid for what he does? Harlan wrote for fanzines for free for many, many
years. If you want to read stuff he wasn't paid for, go look that up.

Post by palmer.william
If their lesser paid counterparts in the profession
can do it, why can't those multi-millionaire writers
do it too?

It's a matter of personal choice in both cases. You seem to think that because
some writers do blogs for free, other writers should HAVE to do blogs for free.
That makes no sense.

[Jay G]

Post by Bill Warren
What's the difference between a blog and a personal website, one of which
Harlan already has. And what does "blog" mean anyway?

"blog" is short for "web log," essentially an online journal or diary. It's
different from a personal website because it's not structured like one,
it's just a log of consistently updated entries. In fact, a blog can be
part of a larger website.

A blog is different from a discussion board in that typically only one
person can post a new entry, the blog author. Some blogs
allow reader comments to be posted under the entry, while for
others all responses are emailed to the "blogger" first, and he/she
posts the replies that are determined worthy.

A good example of a blog by a professional author would be
Neil Gaiman's:
http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/journal.asp

BTW, I agree 100% that Harlan Ellison doesn't have to do a
blog, and his decision to do a blog or not has no impact on his
importance as a writer.

-Jay

[Bill Warren]

Jay, thanks for the info on blogs. I knew that was a contraction, but I
couldn't recall of what.

[Larry Madill]

I can't see Harlan blogging. For Two reasons:

1. (and yes its a cynical point of view but Hollywood has made me such): Why
give it away when enough people pay for it? Hey, the axiom that applies for
pornstars and hookers works for writers too. Why would HE blog when people
pay decent amounts of money to see him speak, or do some panel at a Star
Trek convention. Don't get me wrong, I know HE's a nice guy, but I can't see
him blogging for the love of blogging.

2. It would get really old. I think there would be a large temptation to
fall in the Harlan Ellison act. That of being an irrespressable jerk for
being a jerk sake, the know it all professor of everything worth knowing,
the angry slightly bitter side that a lot of fans tend to expect and --
oddly enough -- adore.

When he did commentaries for Sci-Fi it was amusing to a degree and then it
just got kind of old. If I wanted to here a cranky dude ramble I can just
pay a homeless psychotic man on Hollywood Boulevard a dime and listen.

We never get to see a lot of Harlan the writer, the creator of stories and
fiction except through his written work. I doubt a blog would be much
different from his sort of outlandish commentaries and rantings done for
Sci-Fi. Gee, piracy on the internet Harlan, whoopie and big news.

Any those are my thoughts. Maybe I'll get proved wrong. Hope so.

Larry

[Larry Madill]

"RufusTFirefly" <***@bob.com> wrote in message news:bob-***@news01.west.earthlink.net...

<snipping>

Post by RufusTFirefly
Horseshit.

Oh, gee, that's terrible intelligent. An adroit response, sir!

For someone who complains about the level of discourse on the web you
certainly are not helping to raise it.

Post by RufusTFirefly
Professional writers need to get paid to live. You want them to give it
away for free.

Being a professional freelance writer I can firmly say that to a degree a
lot of writers would and do give it away for free.

Yes, there's a lot of satisfaction in gettting paid and published, no matter
the form. But there's a great deal of satisfaction in just knowing that
someone actually took the time to read something you wrote, especially in a
world where no has time to read anything anymore.

Besides, you act as though a blog is somehow a great intrusion into the day
to day work of a writer. These things take virtually no time to write or
post, and frankly speaking are not things people would pay to read.

Maybe I'm wrong. If you were editor of Rolling Stone, would you publish a
intensive article about your meal last night and why you don't like broiled
salmon but eat it every time your mother is in town?

Post by RufusTFirefly
Given the low level of discourse on the 'net, I am not suprised that HE
does not like it.

Oh, posh.

That's just more Harlan Ellison Fanboy sound-alike canting.

Yeah, there's crap on the web. There's crap on television and at the cinema.
There's crap at the bookstores, on the magazine racks, and the newspapers.
There's crap everywhere!

But there's good stuff too. Salon.com and Nerve.com are some of the best
written journals around, and they are both published on the web. Not to
mention a dozen individual blogs I read that are wonderful fifteen minute
thought provoking diversions from life.

What the internet does allow for -- which is why I think detractors do not
care for it very much -- is a diversity of opinion. Instead of getting the
canned, pressed, packed in water perspective of one voice -- whether it be
the media, or the fell voice coming from the Great American Orthanc known as
the White House -- you get a multitude of voices and opinions.

Agreed, a lot of them are full of shit, but at least they have a voice when
otherwise they wouldn't. And the same goes for those that aren't full of
shit. They have a voice - an outlet - where they might not have had one only
five years ago.

Some (most descendants of both Old School Liberal Theology and Old School
Conservative Theology) see the internet as intellectual chaos. Barbarians
running wild without being told what to like and what to hate by some
self-appointed monitor of taste and opinion.

I choose to see it as an intellectual marketplace where you can find
anything you want. Hopefully the thing you want makes you happy. If not,
there's always the market place and another idea that might fit you a bit
better.

Just my thoughts.

Larry

P.S. I use the term theology, and not ideology, on purpose. I have tended to
believe that the political views of the right and left in this country are
rooted in about as much cold hard fact as the beliefs of Christianity and
Islam. Whether to raise taxes, lower taxes, spend less, spend more --
neither side knows what the fuck they are talking about. They simply babble
out whatever the party line is on blind faith.

[Will Dockery]

Post by palmer.william
Harlan Ellison would probably never consider doing a
blog.
That's too bad, because he has a number of gifts that
would make him a top-notch blogger. He's spontaneous,
able to compose quickly without feeling he has to rewrite
his every sentence fifty times, and never seems to be
lacking in original ideas and startling, uniquely-
expressed opinions.
What annoys me about the blogging activities of
the few famous writers Ihave seen doing blogs is
that they take a dilettante approach to blogging.
It is sort of like their blog is just meant to be another
feather in their cap, somethng they can brag about in
their next few interview to show that they are net-hip.
As far as I am concerned, a famous writer who
does a blog for only a couple of weeks is playing
at blogging--not challenging himself or herself to
explore new literary forms.
Further, I suspect that most famous literary writers
are far too hung up on themselves to stand up to
the challenge of expressing themselves openly and
spontaneously day in and day out for any length
of time. They would probably tie themsleves in
knots worrying about writing something that would
detract from their image. Then there are the
prose-polishers who likely tremble at the thought
of publishing anything that isn't as carefully worked
over as a burnished gem--for them, blogging
would be out of the question because it would
involve far too much unpaid labor. They are
not exactly people who write for the pure fun
of it.
I think Harlan Ellison is far too honest to ever be
that sort of blogger. . He could take 15 minutes
to one-half hour a day and still do a terrific blog.
(I know, because back in the Eighties I was awed
to see him sit in the display window of a book
shop and write a great short story in a very
short time.) Even so, I suppose this post
is wishful thinking, because from what I have
heard, he doesn't like the net
the alt.genius.bill-palmer
--firing posts at passersby at random from a window
in the office upstairs from rec.arts.prose.

I've been reading elsewhere, that Harlan does indeed have a "blog",
from which the info on Julius Schawrtz's illness is coming... perhaps
I should read the entire thread before posting? Nah, I'll post this...
but isn't harlan now writing online at some place? Anyone have a link
handy?
Will

"God Smiles" Mp3:
http://www.lulu.com/content/26881

[BOBMORALES]

Post by Will Dockery
I've been reading elsewhere, that Harlan does indeed have a "blog",
from which the info on Julius Schawrtz's illness is coming... perhaps
I should read the entire thread before posting? Nah, I'll post this...
but isn't harlan now writing online at some place? Anyone have a link
handy?
Will

It's actually the messageboard for harlanellison.com:

http://harlanellison.com/heboard/unca.htm

[Will Dockery]

Post by Jimvanhise

Post by Will Dockery
I've been reading elsewhere, that Harlan does indeed have a "blog",
from which the info on Julius Schawrtz's illness is coming... perhaps
I should read the entire thread before posting? Nah, I'll post this...
but isn't harlan now writing online at some place? Anyone have a link
handy?
Will

http://harlanellison.com/heboard/unca.htm

Thanks... I need to get *out* more, I spend too much time in Usenet!
Will

"Mirror Twins" Mp3:
http://www.lulu.com/content/29085

[Usenet Poet of the Year]

Post by Will Dockery
Anyone have a link
handy?

No, but there is some Kielbasa on the spit.

Mustard up your buns, and I'll be frank.

[David J. Loftus]

William Palmer sneered at Ellison as a rich and famous
hoity-toity writer who is above doing a blog. I won't
address the primary issue as to his reasons for not
blogging, but I would suggest you revise your opinion of
him as rich OR famous. He's famous to US, but just try
asking 10 people at random on the street if they recognize
his name, and you probably won't get high results -- certainly
not in the realm of Paris Hilton . . . or even Danielle Steel
or John Grisham.

As for "rich," some of you may not know that Ellison has been
selling many of his belongings this past year to raise funds
for his staggering legal fees in a lawsuit he's involved in
-- to the death, as usual -- with AOL over alleged copywright
violations.

By coincidence, I put a sizable (for me!) check in the mail to
the Ellisons yesterday afternoon in return for which I will
shortly receive a leather-bound limited edition of _Deathbird
Stories_, Russian and Estonian editions of Ellison stories,
a 1968 issue of "Cinema" magazine containing Ellison's review
of "Rosemary's Baby," an author's copy of _Mefisto in Onyx_
signed by Frank Miller as well as Ellison, and sundry other
goodies -- all from Ellison's private holdings and all signed
personally to me.

Sharp-eyed fans and collectors will see similar but lesser items
being auctioned on EBay in the not-too-distant future by his
wife, Susan Ellison.

David Loftus

[Used Nut Love Poet]

Post by David J. Loftus
William Palmer sneered at Ellison as a rich and famous
hoity-toity writer who is above doing a blog.

I'm not rich and famous, and I'm above doing a blog.

Post by David J. Loftus
I won't address the primary issue as to his reasons for not
blogging, but I would suggest you revise your opinion of
him as rich OR famous. He's famous to US, but just try
asking 10 people at random on the street if they recognize
his name, and you probably won't get high results -- certainly
not in the realm of Paris Hilton . . . or even Danielle Steel
or John Grisham.

I met him one time... No.. that was Larry Ellison.
I love Harlan. Didn't he write early Twilight Zone's?

Post by David J. Loftus
As for "rich," some of you may not know that Ellison has been
selling many of his belongings this past year to raise funds
for his staggering legal fees in a lawsuit he's involved in
-- to the death, as usual -- with AOL over alleged copywright
violations.

What happened? I was too busy reading Danielle Steele,
I missed it.

Post by David J. Loftus
By coincidence, I put a sizable (for me!) check in the mail to
the Ellisons yesterday afternoon in return for which I will
shortly receive a leather-bound limited edition of _Deathbird
Stories_, Russian and Estonian editions of Ellison stories,
a 1968 issue of "Cinema" magazine containing Ellison's review
of "Rosemary's Baby," an author's copy of _Mefisto in Onyx_
signed by Frank Miller as well as Ellison, and sundry other
goodies -- all from Ellison's private holdings and all signed
personally to me.

I bet you can trade for a bunch of marbles, with that stuff.

Post by David J. Loftus
Sharp-eyed fans and collectors will see similar but lesser items
being auctioned on EBay in the not-too-distant future by his
wife, Susan Ellison.

You clearly have the inside track.
Any stained undies?

[David J. Loftus]

Post by Used Nut Love Poet

Post by David J. Loftus
As for "rich," some of you may not know that Ellison has been
selling many of his belongings this past year to raise funds
for his staggering legal fees in a lawsuit he's involved in
-- to the death, as usual -- with AOL over alleged copywright
violations.

What happened? I was too busy reading Danielle Steele,
I missed it.

I'd believe you, if you knew how to spell her name.


David Loftus

[Used Nut Love Poet]

Post by David J. Loftus

Post by Used Nut Love Poet

Post by David J. Loftus
As for "rich," some of you may not know that Ellison has been
selling many of his belongings this past year to raise funds
for his staggering legal fees in a lawsuit he's involved in
-- to the death, as usual -- with AOL over alleged copywright
violations.

What happened? I was too busy reading Danielle Steele,
I missed it.

I'd believe you, if you knew how to spell her name.

No, you caught me.

I can't read.

[Ed Rhodes]

Post by palmer.william
Harlan Ellison would probably never consider doing a
blog.

Harlan's already given us his blog. It's on paper and you have to weed it
out through the stories.

[Blaster]

--Harlan is hardly rich---

He's hardly poor, either. The house in the Valley has to be worth
around 3 million, maybe more. The literary rights to his work would be
a tasty penny as well. From what I hear, he has a huge collection of
art, books, and other collectables that probably would go for a pretty
penny on e-bay.

He's blowing a lot of his loose money on his Aol suit, but I'd bet
he's not a fool and won't go broke doing it.

But I agree that he shouldn't bother with something as stupid and
time-wasting as a blog. I know that his friends Peter David and Neil
Gaimen have them, and that's great for their fans, but it seems you
could get pretty sick of it after a while.

[t.a. barnhart]

are you saying we readers could get sick of harlan's writing? i could
understand him getting sick of doing one, but us -- reading? one of my
favorite parts of his books is that he includes all kinds of extra notes
& thoughts -- book blogs, if you will. i would read harlan's blog as
often & as long as he did it. i know of no one whose "ordinary" thoughts
are so readable.

blogs are only as stupid as the writer. Fanatical Apathy is not merely a
great blog, it's great satire. The World of Chilly is Chilly's life as
she lives it, a true representation of the woman herself. a great writer
will produce a great blog. (time to go find neil's.)

Post by Blaster
But I agree that he shouldn't bother with something as stupid and
time-wasting as a blog. I know that his friends Peter David and Neil
Gaimen have them, and that's great for their fans, but it seems you
could get pretty sick of it after a while.