Journal, Diary, & Blogging / What is Normal? (Analysis)

My response is in two parts, first as a person and then as a writer. That I respond to this as a person first is a testament to the power of your account.

As a member of “sober normal America” I can tell you what the fascination is about. It’s called schadenfreude. Taking delight in seeing others fall. It makes people feel better about themselves or their kids “Wow. At least I’m not her.” I’m not saying it’s right or good. That’s just what it is. Also, as a mother, who’s watched her share of documentaries on addiction (most recently, a very good one on HBO about the actual biochemical nature of it), I will admit that it’s with pragmatic interest. I don’t watch talk shows, so at least I’m not that bad, right? Heh. Although I did see one Oprah at some point where there were perfectly perfect suburban moms addicted to meth and oxycontin. So it’s not like addiction’s only face is a young person in retail. If there’s one thing I think I know, it’s that addiction doesn’t discriminate.

For me -- as an individual and as a writer -- I am always interested in people who, for whatever reason, “go sideways” at any given moment in their lives. When is that moment, or is it a series of moments? In the final analysis, why did it happen? How does it change that person?  When you walked out of your addiction, was your head held high? What do you want for yourself now? And it doesn’t need to be a “job-job.” In fact, I would think it wouldn’t be.

Now here’s the writer in me saying: Tell me: SO WHAT. You have a ton of ideas swirling in your head, but right now your statements about your lack of uniqueness are working against you.

The mere fact that you did this without rehab is unique in and of itself. Your family laundry list could, of course, be extended. That you don’t seem to feel sorry for yourself is unique, in our society today.

So it is unique. There is so much here. Keep Going.

Overall, this is well written. You quickly captured reader interest and kept it. The only area that didn’t work for me was the second paragraph. It conflicted in tone with the others. I esp. didn’t like “I’m just a drug addict, keep that in mind.” because it did make it sound like a fake memoir. In the final paragraph, I’d also suggest cutting “These books fascinate me.” It also makes it sound fake, and the paragraph reads fine without it. I look forward to reading the next installment.

truthfully, i can’t give a rating. this is a journal entry, not somethign to be graded. the five is there because a writing form teh heart can’t be either good or bad. it makes sense, i can understand what you’re going through, (even though i myself have never been in that situation), and it seems as if you were writing from the heart. as long as a person writes from the heart, and not for profit, then any writing they can come up with is good.

it seems however, as if this entry is a desperate plea for help. if you want to talk, i don’t mind. i wish you luck with your addictions.

Oh my god. This is good. I am hooked on it. You speak nothing but the truth; America is full of hypocrits. People need to see what an addict feels like. Make them feel it. Make them know that you are a human being with problems. Your manuscript is full of cynicism. This is good because it makes it readable. It is also honest in feeling. You cannot go wrong by being honest people will want to read a book that pulls no punches. God bless you. Happy writing SANDI k.

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May 31, 2008

by stardustfae

personal info reviewer stats

No. of Reviews	Overall Quality	Comment Followup
0	0.0% (2 votes)	100.0%

Age	Gender	Location	Last Login
24	F	Wright City, MO	May 31

Thanks so much! Glad you liked it and knowing society I will never run out of material! Thanks again!

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Wow im going to assume this is all tru as you said in your piece so again im going to say wow. If that’s the case then id say its obvious you have over come a lot in your life. Its also obvious to me that your a good writer and your writing can be for you, like it is for me an outlet to just let it all out. As a girl who was a teen mother I know how hard life can be sometimes. But it seems to me that u have a lot of talent and should keep writing :)