Blogging about Tweeting
I call myself an "iteration" writer, meaning that through a process of repeated passes, or "iterations," I continue to fine-tune my writing until I achieve the results I desire. While some writers can produce amazing results on their initial effort, I am not one of them. Though my first draft is generally good, it is not good enough.
When writing for publication, I perform multiply writing iterations in one sitting and then let my work ruminate. A day or two later I make a final read, accompanied by the appropriate tweaks. I may repeat that process again the next day before pronouncing it "good." Unfortunately, once I see my writing in print, there is invariably something that I would like to reword.
When blogging, I do my iterations in one sitting, without the luxury of being able to cogitate on it for a day or two. It is posted sans a next-day, final edit. As a result, nearly every blog receives a minor edit at some point. This may occur when someone notifies me of typo, when I back up the month's work, or if I later stumble onto something. (It is admittedly narcissistic, but I do enjoy re-reading my work.)
This brings me to Twitter, where words must be precise and concise, without the benefit of subsequent editing. As such, I gave my most recent tweet some thought, reworking it over several hours, albeit in 60-second blocks. Consider the iterations:
When writing for publication, I perform multiply writing iterations in one sitting and then let my work ruminate. A day or two later I make a final read, accompanied by the appropriate tweaks. I may repeat that process again the next day before pronouncing it "good." Unfortunately, once I see my writing in print, there is invariably something that I would like to reword.
When blogging, I do my iterations in one sitting, without the luxury of being able to cogitate on it for a day or two. It is posted sans a next-day, final edit. As a result, nearly every blog receives a minor edit at some point. This may occur when someone notifies me of typo, when I back up the month's work, or if I later stumble onto something. (It is admittedly narcissistic, but I do enjoy re-reading my work.)
This brings me to Twitter, where words must be precise and concise, without the benefit of subsequent editing. As such, I gave my most recent tweet some thought, reworking it over several hours, albeit in 60-second blocks. Consider the iterations:
Learn from the past, live for the present, plan for the future.Which one did I use? Check out Peter DeHaan on Twitter for the answer.
Learn from yesterday, live for today, plan for tomorrow.
Don’t live in the past or the future; learn from yesterday, live for today, plan for tomorrow.
Don’t live in the past or live for the future; learn from yesterday, live for today, plan for tomorrow.
Don’t reside in the past or dwell on the future; learn from yesterday, live for today, plan for tomorrow.
Don’t reside in the past or dwell on the future, but learn from yesterday, live for today, and plan for tomorrow.
Learn from yesterday, live for today, and plan for tomorrow; don’t reside in the past or dwell on the future.
Posted by Peter DeHaan at 8/26/2010 5:53 PM 
Categories: Writing, Blogging
Tags: Twitter Peter DeHaan blog author Peter DeHaan Peter DeHaan Musings Musings of Peter DeHaan
Categories: Writing, Blogging
Tags: Twitter Peter DeHaan blog author Peter DeHaan Peter DeHaan Musings Musings of Peter DeHaan
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