Therefore, I've been considering the answer to this question "What is a blog?" for a little while. I know that causality doesn't seem to work there, but just track with me for a minute. Based on my extensive research (I read at least 3 blogs prior to posting this one, including my own), people generally write things in blogs that are interesting to them or things they're thinking about but ultimately that they also hope will be interesting to somebody else. Getting someone to actually read those very interesting things is another challenge unless you're really cool and have a lot of friends who want to read about what you think or if you are very famous, then people will naturally want to know what you think. But if you're just like lil ol' me and sort of lingering out in the blogosphere looking for signs of life and hoping maybe even for a comment or two, what is really the point of blogging? Well, I think I've figured it out.
It's because I like me, and I'm inclined to think that what I'm interested in is interesting, so I like to write what I think about things.
Wait, no... I still don't really have the answer... yet...
Ok, so everyone knows that a blog is essentially an online journal; a very public diary for all who might enjoy a safe, literary form of voyerism. But there are those who successfully create a coherent, focused forum for sharing thoughts with the world. Some examples that come to mind this moment are comedian & artist Allie Brosh (at hyperboleandahalf), film and game critic extraordinaire 2D (at 2dreviews), and some other very talented film critic guys (at 2guys1movieaday). And I think that's the secret. Focus. I need a focus.
Now where to find that focus is anyone's guess... I have ideas as scattered as ants at a picnic, so it's just hard to put them into a neat lil package & sell them. If I'm going to ever write a book I've got to figure out what it is I'm talking about. 'Cause heaven knows I have no clue. :P
Don't focus so much on what you are going to write, just do what comes spontaneously. Jim and I had 2 weeks of planning for our blog. But try to have a goal, this allows you to have some kind of motivation.
ReplyDeleteBut whatever you choose to do, you'll have at least two fan =D
@Puneet - thank you a trillion times :) i definitely do need a goal, it's true... that's probably the biggest problem i have when it comes to getting my focus clear. but i'm sure it'll all come together... thanks for the encouragement. :)
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of being as scattered as ants at a picnic...nice metaphor! You have a whimsical writing style that is enjoyable to read ... even when you don't know exactly what you're writing about! You should try and do a blogophilia write some week, it's fun and the other writers are very supportive!
ReplyDeleteJay
@Jay - thanks friend! :) what is this blogophilia you speak of?
ReplyDeleteAgainst my usual way, I have a suggestion.
ReplyDeleteLots of people have different ways of getting started, but one way that might help is picking a day and writing about whatever you feel like, and see what things you continually write about.
Keeps you writing regularly, and allows the idea just come to you. My sister ended up mostly talking about health stuff in her blog.
Just a thought.
I'll read every post!
@2D - lovin' that idea. maybe like a saturday blogfest. hmmm... very interesting... thanks buddy :) 300 heart ducats for you.
ReplyDeleteStacie, Blogophilia is a writing group that began on Myspace. We've since moved to facebook as myspace has become litered with tumbleweeds and cobwebs. Basically, each week we are given 3 prompts that we have to work into a story, poem, blog...whatever style you want to write in. The other writers read your entry and just tell you how great you are! No one ever bashes anyone. Some of the writers in our group are published authors, most are just amateurs like me. If you go to my friends list and click on Marvin Martian, then click his "notes", you'll see the latest offering for the week!
ReplyDeleteYou should write your blog/book on why a hard-working gal (like myself) stops everything she's doing in the middle of the day to read her friend's blog and eat 15 oreos instead of doing the pile of work that's staring her in the face... oh wait. That's called procrastination. I'm pretty sure there are already books about that one. Maybe I should read them?
ReplyDeleteLove your blog so far. Keep writing!
-Katie
I love you Katie! :D Thanks!
ReplyDelete