I just posted a response to question on writing.

Unfortunately, it’s momentarily locked up in blog’s spam catcher.

Pete’s really good about releasing the legit posts. So check this post tonight or tomorrow.

I have a couple of tips.

1. if ya gonna write a long post, do so first on your word processing application and then cut and paste the post to the blog. I learned this the hard way. For years my ISP connection cut in and out, and I would lose mult-paragraph post.

2. on writing. Imitation is more than just flattery. Mimicry is great. Find stuff you like, then break it down and try to mimic the structure, tone, delivery. Practice and feedback is essential.

The greatest hitters take batting practice and get feedback from 3rd parties (coaches, teammates), so get another pair of eyes to review your work until you get comfortable. And like anything (driving a car, making mac & cheese), repetition increases easy and efficiency (learning curve). I pick up tricks all the time, and then I slap my head and think, “dummy, why didn’t I come up with this earlier!”

There are a lot of workshops on writing, especially in NY. whether a community college or social clubs like Meetup – click “here”:http://writers.meetup.com/cities/us/ny/new_york/

There are also books and blogs on writing and research. If ya a stephen king fan then you’ll love his book “On Writing.” So he’s a Red Sox fan, nobody is perfect.

But even if you don’t like Shawshank Redemption, etc., here’s a great review of his guide:

_Though far from the definitive writer’s guideline, this book shines a unique perspective on the craft. Stephen King lays down the law and then teaches it. He shares his techniques, his pet peeves, and his own personal horrific experiences – both as child and adult – and he does it all within the cerebral classroom of the printed page._

_He wraps a juicy filling of personal tragedy, growth and experience within a tight covering of his famous story telling style._

_As a human, I was touched by his childhood anecdotes and often laughed with him about his insecurities._

_As a writer, I am grateful for a brief glimpse into his vocational world. I gained confidence from learning about things I have been doing right and have changed many bad habits (may the adverb rest in peace). I’ve read several tomes on the subject and believe his reigns as the most complete._

Lastly, you did GOOD in reaching out with your post. Nobody likes to admit/reveal/discuss deficiencies or vulnerabilities. But how ya gonna grow if you don’t extend a hand. Never be shy about contacting a writer you like. Surprisingly many people will respond.

I guess you can wrap it all up in a simple Yankee motto: “You will never become a .300 hitter unless you take the bat off your shoulder.”

The 1970s and 1980s all over again? Did you even follow the Yankees back then?

I hope it is the 1970s again cuz the Yanks won two World Series and went to three that decade. The 1980s wasn’t as bad as people made it out to be. The Yanks just weren’t good enough. For what it’s worth they won 103 games in 1980 and made it to the 1981 World Series (I consider 1981 a wash cuz it was the strikeshortened season). I’d even say they were in the wrong decade cuz the 1985 team would’ve won the wildcard had it been instituted after the 1981 strike (to revive the sport).

Synopsis of the 1980s Yanks:

1980: Excellent team (103-59).

1981: Lost the World Series.

1982: Yanks tanked -The Tankees.

1983: Good team (91-71) but Baltimore was better.

1984: An also-ran but then again everyone in the A.L. East was an also-ran that year with the Detroit Tigers in their divsion. The Yanks could’ve won 103 games like they did in 1980 and still lost the then 7-team A.L. East (1984 Detroit Tigers were 104-58).

1985: As solid as ANY Torre era team (97-65), they just lost the division in the final weekend at Toronto.

1986: 1983 Part II (90-72 team but Boston was better thanks to 24-4 1986 A.L.M.V.P. & Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens in his prime. No Roger, the Yanks win the division and who knows? A Subway Series then?)

1987: An 89-73 team who finished fourth in obviously the best division in baseball. The wildcard should’ve been instituted after this season considering Minnefrigginsota won the A.L. West with an 85-77 record -what an even bigger joke than San Francisco missing the postseason by a game cuz they finished with 103 wins/ one less win than Atlanta in 1993!!!

1988: Good team (85-77). Willie Randolph’s last year as a Yankee (player) and he looked done at age 33 (he rebounded with a nice .282 BA, .366 OBP, typical prime Willie production when he was a Yankee for the 1989 L.A. Dodgers).
Guidry was finished.

1989: A year of transition for the worse: Dave Winfield was out for the year. Rickey Henderson was traded. Mattingly began his decline. Randolph, Guidry, Rhoden, and Rasmussen were gone. Righetti was near the end as a Yankee. The Yanks stupidly traded Al Leiter for Jesse Barfield after Leiter had a bad start after only 4 starts (1-2, 6.08 ERA). The 74-87 team used SIXTEEN starters and had FIVE guys close a game. An argument could be made that a healthy Winfield playing a full season could’ve added say 4 wins to the team for 78-84. Keep Rickey Henderson all year, 79-83. Keep Leiter all year, 80-82. Have a game or two go the right way,
81-81 or 82-80. It’s not farfetched. The run was over.

It will not be 1982 or 1989 all over again folks.

As a Yankee fan, Torre aside, I am *Truly* disappointed with this _new_ management and front office. It reeks of stupidity and garbage. If they had any balls at all, do one of two things…

THE NEXT DAY AFTER THE ALDS GAME 4 LOSS (*NOT* two damm weeks later)
Joe, thanks for everything, but we’re going to go in a new direction…
or
Joe, we appreciate you getting this team back from the hole in June, we’d like to give you a chance to prove yourself again – here’s a two year deal – no more years – and we’ll see how things go from there.

Not this BULLSH*T way of backdooring Torre and trying to marginalize him. This is going to be the 70’s and 80’s all over again…