tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post7491170268696547614..comments2024-03-28T19:02:37.054+00:00Comments on More than Writers: Sticks and Stones, by Fiona Lloydauntyamohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213728883228063200noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-39103290308831249422017-04-25T20:15:43.428+01:002017-04-25T20:15:43.428+01:00It's astonishing how much words can sting, eve...It's astonishing how much words can sting, even decades later. Interesting to hear how your experiences have shaped the way you write about people, and have given you greater empathy for others.Fiona Lloydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01803986871462903904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-77323719574514592802017-04-25T20:11:00.761+01:002017-04-25T20:11:00.761+01:00Thank you! I didn't read your (excellent) post...Thank you! I didn't read your (excellent) post until I'd already written mine, but I think you prepared the ground for me very nicely. Fiona Lloydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01803986871462903904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-85858304033043073752017-04-25T20:08:45.028+01:002017-04-25T20:08:45.028+01:00Thanks, Deborah. I think the reminder about what g...Thanks, Deborah. I think the reminder about what goes on in our heads is really important - learning to develop kindness in our thinking will be reflected in our words.Fiona Lloydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01803986871462903904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-26220216586690044772017-04-25T20:05:44.050+01:002017-04-25T20:05:44.050+01:00Thanks for reading, Helen. It's so easy to for...Thanks for reading, Helen. It's so easy to forget just how powerful our words can be.Fiona Lloydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01803986871462903904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-44678731721025187332017-04-25T17:22:12.531+01:002017-04-25T17:22:12.531+01:00Emotional abuse - what bullying and teasing are - ...Emotional abuse - what bullying and teasing are - is long-term damaging, so kids who are abused by words don't 'recover' or 'grow out of it'. That little phrase is indeed so wrong. In writing and on-line, because of that (I had it too, at school - esp from one particular teacher) I deliberately don't create characters which readers can 'love to hate' and try to write with respect even when depicting people whose views I don't share. No 'baddies and goodies' because, actually, life is not like that. On line it's so important not to blast out at people but to be kind, or say nothing, or make every effort to be moderate. So important: we don't know why they hold the views they do. We don't know who they really are, what they have had done to them, or anything. I have had people think I am hard & arrogant on line, and impervious! Not so ... but how we say stuff is terribly important - I am learning not to ever make jokes, or employ dry humour, on-line - if someone doesn't 'get it', one is in trouble and for one's own fault! Thanks for this, Fiona.Mari Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05606125048044373268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-18308168938332670212017-04-25T17:14:42.987+01:002017-04-25T17:14:42.987+01:00Yes! Just the kind of thing I'm aiming at too!...Yes! Just the kind of thing I'm aiming at too! If we all work at it we can make a difference! Thanks.Philologushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02107301685112950857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-17815900677627482282017-04-25T14:13:42.637+01:002017-04-25T14:13:42.637+01:00A really good post Fiona. At times it's hard t...A really good post Fiona. At times it's hard to do, but so important. I find myself reacting in completely the wrong way at times on social media and I deplore thst side of me. Is it me but I also feel that, as Christians, while it's fine to express our views for or against policies, we shouldn't lampoon people. However much we disagree with someone in public office, they are still human beings. And, as you say, we shouldn't be unkind. Ever. I might add that I still have some way to go myself in this, in my head and elsewhere! Deborah Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11156120348177986321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-19117166377562673282017-04-25T12:51:02.591+01:002017-04-25T12:51:02.591+01:00Oh yes and yes again. The wounds that words can in...Oh yes and yes again. The wounds that words can inflict can hurt for a lifetime. The flip side is that we can build people up with our words and make a positive change that can last a lifetime too. Thanks very much, Fiona, for this reminder - you're quite right about politics and social media. Wise words. xHelenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.com