Writing can be a lot like chewing with your mouth open.

Downright disgusting, especially if there is too much falling out of your mouth.

Lately, I've been reviewing some of my columns, paring them down, preparing to launch them into the mysterious stratosphere via a blog.

To read more, the address is http://checklistcharlie.blogspot. com.

My technical advisor, a young man of a mere 19 years, tells me that you can easily find my blog.

Personally, I think it is worth the money to have him come over and guide you through the startling and unnerving universe referred to as the internet.

This same young man has no trouble finding my blogspot or posting my columns on it.

He tells me it is easy, so easy his conscience is having trouble sending me a bill for his time.

I'm not guaranteeing that you will ever be able to find it out there wherever it is.

Anyway, as a result of editing my own work, I am suffering from Writer's Remorse.

This is something like Buyer's Remorse, only a lot more public.

At least with Buyer's Remorse, once you recover your senses, you can return to the store and return the item, thereby redeeming your money and your dignity.

Unfortunately once you publish, your misshapen sentences, poor grammar, misspelled words, and - worse yet - your silliest ideas are out there for the whole world to see.

Your words can then repetitively embarrass you whenever you are least expecting it into perpetuity.

I have got to learn some self-control.

Or maybe just better manners.

"Oh, it must be like Speaker's Remorse. I get it all the time!" responded my friend recently when I mentioned my problem to her.

I was astonished.

I never knew her to give a public speech.

Then it dawned on me that she meant regrets about her conversations.

Really? I never would have guessed it in a million years. She personifies graciousness.

She confessed that she often regrets saying too much.

Wasn't that gracious of her to go so far out of her way to identify with me?

But there it is. The problem in a nut shell. Too many words.

Sometimes it would just be better to close my mouth, like when chewing food for instance. Or when talking. Or when writing.

Of course, the lovely thing about writing is that there are always editors around with red pens to trim it down.

And publishers reminding me to keep it succinct.

Now if only someone would trim down my spoken words.

No more Speaker's Remorse.

Maybe, with a little mercy, it will carry over into my conversations.

!

Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives, writes, and speaks in beautiful East Texas. Comments are invited at CaeKrafve2@aol.com or http://checklistcharlie.blogsp ot.com.