User:Gillhiscott

I am who I am (and some other random thoughts)

I was fairly astounded to discover that some people objected to the use of my real name as a username, declaring that it was “blatant self promotion”. In truth it never occurred to me. The very first time I was presented with a request for a username on the internet I innocently typed in my real name without thinking twice only to realise a bit later that people were making up names which sounded like the equivalent to a CB handle or worse. This then must lead me to reflect on whether I should follow suit. But not one valid reason why I should presented itself to me. As a writer I also use my real name. I mean – It works as a name. I don’t want to pretend to be someone else on the internet and especially not as a writer. No doubt there is some vague security reason why it’s a good idea, but until this becomes obvious to me I’m going to keep the name I’ve inherited. br> I left school at 15 without any plans for a career. In despair my parents sent me to secretarial college where I quickly discovered an affinity with a typewriter and by the time this talent had evolved to a computer keyboard I was touch typing at a record breaking speed and can now almost keep up with normal speech. This has the effect of thoughts and feelings tumbling out without being properly processed in my brain, leading no doubt to the “stream of consciousness” style I adopt as mentioned in the article. Anyone engaging me in online or emailed conversation might well be presented with, as one actor friend put it “an avalanche of words”. I did eventually discover what it was I wanted to do, which in the main has been centred on writing plays. My recent graduation with a masters in playwriting cements this as my natural career. I hope the article goes up again. The original one was around for quite a long time and had passed administrative scrutiny before without a problem so it was a shock to find it deleted. Edits and changes by others though I think along the way meant the names of the publishers of my plays disappeared, which weakened it’s credibility. My main wish is that the entry of my efforts on Marie Corelli’s behalf, initially given it’s own Legacy heading should be reinstated. When I tried to do it myself it was conceived as vandalism, or self promotion, so when my own article is verified and back up on the main page I hope that someone  will reinstate. Marie Corelli spent most of her career under the lashing tongues of the literary critics and from runaway best selling author and household name has almost dropped into obscurity. But much of her writing shows depth and a talent which the majority of contemporary writers would eat their keyboards for. Let her leave a reasonable legacy for God’s sake. Is the destruction of my efforts on her behalf just another chapter in the almost aggressive need to destroy a strong literary flow from a feminine hand? Talking of aggressive reviews.............I’ve had mine too. Thing is about theatre is that it’s a collaborative effort. As every script writer whether it’s theatre, TV or film will tell you he is usually the last to be commended and the first to be blamed. br> As can be seen I've been really rubbish about making edits and have just got myself into trouble with the system. I am learning though and hope to make useful additions here and there of a theatrical or literary nature.