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packbat ([personal profile] packbat) wrote2008-04-10 10:45 pm

Writer's Block: Spilling Secrets

What secret (your or someone else's) do you wish you'd done a better job of keeping?

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...I'm sorry, I have to ask: does Livejournal think I'm stupid? I'm not as careful as [livejournal.com profile] filthspigot about separating my LJ and personal lives, but what made them think that this question even made sense?

Let me break it down.

1. I have a secret.
2. I spill it, wholly or partially - a matter which is a source of personal guilt.
3. ???
4. I tell the entire world.

I mean, pardon me, but even I am not that lousy a prevaricator.

This is just one of potentially hundreds of similar situations!

[identity profile] the-zaniak.livejournal.com 2008-04-11 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
Perhaps the secret no longer needs to be a secret. Say your friend was going to propose, and told you, and asked you not to tell anyone. An important secret at the time, but after they get married, the need for secrecy is probably over.

Re: This is just one of potentially hundreds of similar situations!

[identity profile] packbat.livejournal.com 2008-04-11 02:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Good point - still, the wording is weak. :\

[identity profile] kadyg.livejournal.com 2008-04-11 06:42 am (UTC)(link)
What he said. I think it's a poorly worded question. Fr'instance: I knew about a pregnancy and spilled the beans a little early. The child who caused all the drama is now in middle school, so I think the need for discretion is over.

OTOH: if you had a secret you didn't want to keep, you could always air it now and blame LJ.

[identity profile] chanlemur.livejournal.com 2008-04-11 10:43 am (UTC)(link)
I totally wish I hadn't spilled the news about my friends' impending divorce to LJ at large in response to a poorly-worded writer's block question!

...D'oh!

[identity profile] packbat.livejournal.com 2008-04-11 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
*snickers*

[identity profile] packbat.livejournal.com 2008-04-11 02:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmm ... how would you word it, though? I can't think of anything not grossly clumsy.