Back in June I posted about the agonistics feeding the blog. Here we are again, sitting about, staring at the screen, fiddling about with iTunes, trawling through other people’s blogs in search of inspiration, writing a sentence, glaring at it, deleting it, over and over. I wonder, does every blogger put themselves through this, or have I missed some colossally obvious point? Do the other bloggers whose work I admire spend hours in a frenzy of composition, or does it all drip from them like honey from the bee-drowsing comb of late summer? Are we a band of (slightly deranged) brethren of the pen, slaving in world-wide concert for no other reward than the sweet savour of words and some few lines of admiration and pleasure in the comments? Or are you all staring at me now thinking ‘Christ, no, it takes me about ten minutes to write a post. What on earth is the matter with you?’
[I thought we were toning down the self-pity - Ed]
I am one of the slightly deranged. My blog posts do not drip like honey from my pen, they fall like blobs of cow manure plopping raw onto the page, where I subject them to the purifying compost bin of my brain…. Oh where is this metaphor going? When I was in college back in Nineteen ought seventy four I had a creative writing teacher who desperately wanted me to commit to a life of authorship. Being a rebellious sort, whenever any professor started pressuring me to become something they thought I would be good at I would invariably reject the idea, no matter how good it was. So of course I didn’t major in writing or journalism. (Or chemistry either)
I have no idea whether I am one of the bloggers whose work you admire. I certainly hope so because I admire your work a lot and am enjoying it very much, and would like to think that you might feel the same way about my offerings. But I do what Dr. Keim taught me oh those many moons ago. I sit down and write whatever I am thinking about just like I was telling a story to one of my buddies. I imagine I am on the phone or in a bar. (The wine at my elbow helps with that one. )
Once I have it down on paper (or in electrons somewhere), I start to hone and polish it. This is when the inner editor really gives me hell, and I guess that is why I love your editorial comments. They add humor to your posts, and your readers probably find them funny because we all recognize that voice from our own heads.
After a certain amount of argument and agonizing, I decide the post says what I want it to say and despite its glaring imperfections and evident lack of wit, and sometimes as a way of defying that bitch within, I hit “publish.” I love that part, since for some reason, in my head the word implies books and readers and success.
Keep on writing. You’re good at it.
Left by healingmagichands on August 26th, 2006
I’ve just read your last few posts and can identify with much of what you say. In the past week I’ve started and finished two posts I then deleted, then wrote one which I wasn’t sure was any good (actually I’m not sure if any of them are any good!) but pressed ‘publish’ anyway, then did two which were quite rambly that I’m not sure will be of any interest to anyone!
Sometimes it’s easier to write than others. I tend to find it easier to write about my experiences or how I feel about something, but then I worry that this won’t be of interest to anyone else! It’s a slightly vicious circle, in a way.
I often feel inadequate when I read other people’s blogs (including yours), because they always seem to have more to say about interesting things than I do! I really enjoy reading your blog. You have a nice, eloquent way of putting things so that I (for one) can immediately grasp what you’re saying, and often identify with it.
I also had a blog-related ‘what’s the point’ moment last week. I do think about deleting my blog sometimes, because I think a lot of what I write is inconsequential, not of benefit to anyone else and probably rather boring. But then I think about all the time I’ve spent on it, and also the important fact that I really enjoy writing it and seeing my musings online. Whether anyone else enjoys it or not is another matter!
Anyway, keep writing. I too missed your posts while you were away, so I’m glad you’re back now.
Left by Lilian on August 26th, 2006
Thank you both so much for all the lovely flattery. I am naturally a pink-faced person, and at this rate you could strap me to the underside of an aeroplane for safe landings.
Healingmagichands - the best advice I can give you is to read Lorelle’s tips and techniques archive at http://lorelle.wordpress.com/. She has some really interesting things to say on what blog-readers are attracted to. I’m not exactly following a system myself, beyond trying desperately not to be boring. I just wing it and burst into tears of gratitude when people say nice things (am getting through many many hankies right now).
Lilian - I LIKE your blog. I like seeing life through a different set of eyes (another set of Library eyes too - the Freemasonry of Blibliotheque strikes again). I’m glad you enjoy writing it.
I think it can all depend so much on what a blog is for. Is it a sort of journal you’re happy to let people find? Are you writing about a particular aspect of your life, turning it into a quest (that’s me, that is), and practising exposure (heh heh heh)? If you’re blogging to make friends and influence people, you’d be actually be better off at a place like h2g2 or similar, where you’re all supposed to get on down and intermingle. Blogging is bit of a high and lonely calling, and will not satisfy at all if one expects popularity and invitations to parties from it.
Left by Reed on August 26th, 2006