My craft has to be short autobiographical tales. I've decided it. As I read this, it's pretty nerdy to write a blog about writing, but that's just who I am.
I've been thinking about my perspective and it's definately a drama/comedy mix. I'm aware that my weakness is that I write in bullet points--completely uninterested in tying together my thoughts and creating paragraphs where I take mini breaks in my bullet-point-like statements. Maybe it's because I'm OCD, a little socially awkward, and also a little emotially detatched.
I have a story to tell. It starts when I was 7. I need to think about it before I post, but it will be my first one.
In the meantime, I have been listening to the Moth.org on PRX and enjoying their 4-60 minutes of storytelling fame.
MBA, Professional Job, Married, Child, House, Pets, Car, 401(k)...now who do I REALLY want to be when I grow up?
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Writing?
ok, so
I get these great ideas about writing because I think it's a noble pursuit. And in my mind, I'm really creative. However, I can't create with my hands--painting, drawing, sculpting, etc--are pretty much out. Meaning: I can physically do it, but there's not much to be proud of when it comes to the final result.
So am I interested in writing by default? Maybe. But everyone who can't do "real art" doesn't default to writing, right? Some people run, others swim, other people read...so why do I keep having this nagging feeling like I am bursting out with things to write down?
Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers said you have to spend 10,000 hours on something to do it well.
But then I get a little OCD vs. Intimidation about the rest of the writing thought.
1. Blogging, first of all is exposure. I don't like being bad at things in my own mind much less having people actually tell me I suck at something. I feel like I'm being judged against the major leaguers when I'm like a kindergartener. I've always been a choppy, follow-my-thoughts-closely-because-they'll-jump-around type. Even when I talk it's like that. So, I need practice.
2. I don't really know what to write about. I have funny stories every day...I watch for things in each day that stand out as a point of interest to tell Nate when I get home.
3. I don't know what type of feeling I will portray. In my heart, I think I would be a comedy writer. I like irony, sarcasm and life-lessons. However, I believe in my mind that my point of view is typically that of someone slightly worn down by life and not very willing to give anyone else leeway. My projection of inflexiblity and hostility (which diminishes every year my child gets older) seems to get me into half of the rediculous situations I find myself in.
4. I know REALLY REAL writers. You know, people who have astute observations, clear points of view, and excellent style. They are among my friends and acquantiances that would happen upon this blog and, potentially, tell me they're honest opinions about how I could [insert well-meaning critique here] that would crush my naive writers-spirit.
5. I like to believe slightly that someone would read my blog and think perhaps they should start writing too since CLEARLY you don't have to be wonderful to do this.
6. I might be tempted to just start blogging about work. Never a good idea, I've heard. However, really, really rediculous things happen at my work. Could be entertaining.
7. I don't know what style of writer I will be. Do I want to write poems, essays, non-fiction, fiction, novels, autobiographical, etc. I lean towards non-fiction vignettes that are quasi-biographical. Should I also say I'd like to embellish from my POV just to cover my ass?
I get these great ideas about writing because I think it's a noble pursuit. And in my mind, I'm really creative. However, I can't create with my hands--painting, drawing, sculpting, etc--are pretty much out. Meaning: I can physically do it, but there's not much to be proud of when it comes to the final result.
So am I interested in writing by default? Maybe. But everyone who can't do "real art" doesn't default to writing, right? Some people run, others swim, other people read...so why do I keep having this nagging feeling like I am bursting out with things to write down?
Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers said you have to spend 10,000 hours on something to do it well.
But then I get a little OCD vs. Intimidation about the rest of the writing thought.
1. Blogging, first of all is exposure. I don't like being bad at things in my own mind much less having people actually tell me I suck at something. I feel like I'm being judged against the major leaguers when I'm like a kindergartener. I've always been a choppy, follow-my-thoughts-closely-because-they'll-jump-around type. Even when I talk it's like that. So, I need practice.
2. I don't really know what to write about. I have funny stories every day...I watch for things in each day that stand out as a point of interest to tell Nate when I get home.
3. I don't know what type of feeling I will portray. In my heart, I think I would be a comedy writer. I like irony, sarcasm and life-lessons. However, I believe in my mind that my point of view is typically that of someone slightly worn down by life and not very willing to give anyone else leeway. My projection of inflexiblity and hostility (which diminishes every year my child gets older) seems to get me into half of the rediculous situations I find myself in.
4. I know REALLY REAL writers. You know, people who have astute observations, clear points of view, and excellent style. They are among my friends and acquantiances that would happen upon this blog and, potentially, tell me they're honest opinions about how I could [insert well-meaning critique here] that would crush my naive writers-spirit.
5. I like to believe slightly that someone would read my blog and think perhaps they should start writing too since CLEARLY you don't have to be wonderful to do this.
6. I might be tempted to just start blogging about work. Never a good idea, I've heard. However, really, really rediculous things happen at my work. Could be entertaining.
7. I don't know what style of writer I will be. Do I want to write poems, essays, non-fiction, fiction, novels, autobiographical, etc. I lean towards non-fiction vignettes that are quasi-biographical. Should I also say I'd like to embellish from my POV just to cover my ass?
Saturday, December 27, 2008
A new beginning
Have you ever googled the phrase "A New Beginning"?
I'd think you'd find some kind of quote site or some kind of evangelical christian group's site. But, as it turns out, the phrase's SEO is dominated by a detox center followed by an eating disorder clinic (then the Christians and a lingerie store got into the mix).
So there are 164 hidden on this site that were written from 2004-2007, at which point I just stopped. I started feeling judged and conspicuous. And now, I'm realizing it's just something I like to do. Maybe I'm not really smart, funny, thought-provoking, etc, but maybe I just want to get random ideas out...of my head. So, that's what I'm in it for this time.
Besides, all writers must first be willing to write badly, right?
I'd think you'd find some kind of quote site or some kind of evangelical christian group's site. But, as it turns out, the phrase's SEO is dominated by a detox center followed by an eating disorder clinic (then the Christians and a lingerie store got into the mix).
So there are 164 hidden on this site that were written from 2004-2007, at which point I just stopped. I started feeling judged and conspicuous. And now, I'm realizing it's just something I like to do. Maybe I'm not really smart, funny, thought-provoking, etc, but maybe I just want to get random ideas out...of my head. So, that's what I'm in it for this time.
Besides, all writers must first be willing to write badly, right?
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