Representing Other People in TBAY

[lucky_kari at lucky_kari.yahoo.invalid]

--- In HPFGU-Feedback at yahoogroups.com, thomasmwall at y... wrote: 

> At one point, Elkins attributed quite a bit of pro-Crouch Sr. 
> invective to TBAY!Eileen, and knowing that Real!Eileen hadn't said 
> *half* of the stuff in there, the distinguished lady threw in a 
> disclaimer, and an explanation that she was trying to stick to 
> the 'canon' of Eileen's posts.
> 
> I really appreciated reading that, and realized that even an 
> *established* member like Elkins was conscious of the possible danger 
> that could be derived from putting words into people's mouths.

Actually, the Crouch Novenna did perhaps muddy the waters. 

See, I don't think that it's standard for TBAY to make up other
people's dialogue wholesale. It's not some art anyone should have to
learn to TBAY. As Tom notes, personifying a theory is often a good
approach. So is  quoting earlier posts, which is all I did in my
latest "Crouch Redux" post with Debbie. With some unobtrusive "So
thens?" and "What's your theory?" attributed to another listie, it
usually works perfectly fine. (As does having Pip say, "I love MAGIC
DISHWASHER." or Eileen saying "Crouch Sr. is dead sexy." That's
obviously quite safe!)

The only real person I've ever made up substantive dialogue for is
Elkins, and that's always been based off things she's said to me
off-list. A lot of her dialogue in the Crouch novenna was based off
things I'd said off-list, as well. 

But after having me talk so much using my own words and concepts,
Elkins came to one area where she honestly didn't know my opinion. And
there she left that note Tom referred to. I think that sort of
disclaimer would be absolutely necessary that rare time that you're
putting words into someone's mouth that don't spring from that mouth
in the first place. But seriously, I don't think that really happens
often. 

And really it should only be done with the permission of the other
person. And since I'd been literally begging for months to be TBAYed
about the issue, it was quite above board.

Usually, though, I don't think it's an issue that should worry people.

Eileen