I know it isn’t always evident, but I started this site as an outlet for writing. I wanted a place that would pull me to write, a spot of permanence where others might eventually read it. The hope was that the writing would improve, that there wouldn’t be the need for quite so many ellipses or pictures as the months and eventual years wore on. As with old yearbook photos, I don’t read my own archives all that frequently, but I do think the posts are generally better than when I started. That’s something, of course. There are fewer odes to bad music or fillers because I just needed to post something that day. A move in the right direction, I guess.
However, I’m finding that I need a little more structure in these parts. There’s something to be said for capturing bloggable moments, like the one on Saturday night when my best friend and I argued like old hags about which one of us had taken classical piano lessons for longer, all the while holding up the work of the adorable, barely pubescent bouncer at the Rock and Roll Hotel. It was a bloggable moment and it would have been fun to capture, but it’s really just a slice of time. I’m not as invested in those moments anymore, because they’ve been documented in some way already. When I’m not as invested, I don’t take the time to ensure that my writing is sharp, that it’s really worth my time and yours. It’s time for something new. Although he was really, really cute. And probably just out of high school.
Not to belabor the Twitter point, but when used deliberately it can provide you with a nice writing exercise. You’ve got only 140 characters to work with, and if you want practice in making a pithy statement, this is the place to do it (see examples other than my account, if you would). You’re forced to choose your words wisely, to pay attention to grammar that might slip in more crowded venues. Still, Twitter is the domain for telling others what fantastic beef jerky you ate after church and how the baby just vomited into the dog’s mouth. Improved essays the tweet does not make.
So I’ve been thinking for some time about doing this. I discovered the initative through Schmutzie and Palinode and have watched them from afar, in a stalking way now that I think about it, but nothing likely to involve a corvette and Zima and Dateline. There’s something to this, folks. There’s something to taking the time to craft these slices of people, often the most difficult to capture effectively, in such a small space. One of the posts I had the most interesting time writing and one that garnered the most reader response was a glance into the hypothetical futures of my post important relationships to date. It was meaningful to me, and I think my writing and the process behind it, if there is one, gained something from that.
It’s still an if, something I’m not sure I’ll pursue. Dedicating oneself to this kind of endeavor is akin to joining the gym for the year, only there are many people who’ll actually see if you make it to the treadmill. And, frankly, I’m guessing there will be some who come to see if you picked their treadmill to run on that particular day. There should be no worries about me abandoning the usual, the posts about kitties and boys and the contents of my refrigerator, all with a healthy dose of self-degradation. Still, there has got to be more.
I have been tagged for a few awesome memes lately, and there is a reason that I have not done them (although you are all lovely and I thank Al Gore every day for creating the Interwebs and its commenters, believe you me): there was a time that memes were *so* widespread on the Web - like chlamydia on college campuses, but with a less favorable prognosis - that I ended up writing a few of these every week. I wasn’t able to write both what I wanted to and keep up with this more fun part of blogging, so I swore off memes forevermore. You can check the archives; it happened sometime after Cheers was canceled and I discovered shapewear. So please know that I’m not being a bitch by not answering that tag, although there are likely a slew of other reasons you might accurately call me a bitch should you feel like doing so. Which I hope you don’t. At least not in front of the cats. Earmuffs.
20 Comments
As long as we don’t miss out on any of the kitties, boys or fridge pics…well then run with it! ;-)
bygones– that post was so eloquently written. you’re the best.
I’m working on a longer post right now.
I’m a Schmutzie/Palinode stalker as well.
I wrote a couple 365s but of course I can’t even keep up with my “song of the day” posts although I love them. And my attempt at a “365″ on flickr failed miserably.
How about 182 1/2 for starters? ;) Also, November = NABLOPOMO. Sigh.
Whatever you do, I’m sure I’ll find it interesting. Because it IS all about me and my entertainment, right? RIGHT?!
What does it say about me that I was riveted by the account of your refrigerator contents?
But I know what you mean. I seem to do a lot of writing about my ineffectual parenting. It amuses me - but I didn’t necessarily start my blog with the idea of trying to be a comedian (frankly - I’m just not funny enough). But I have so many fears about trying to be serious in my writing. Namely that no one (with maybe the exception of Mom) will read it. I think I should be more of a risk taker - especially on my own blog!
That’s a great idea to write about such small tidbits about people. I might steal it!!
I’d love to read your 365… but I’m with Anna, we love it when you have more than 40 words, because you have many bloggable moments :o)
I intend to read whatever you write. I just checked out Bygones and- just wow.
I too have watched Schmutzie from afar as she completed her x365. Eventually I came out of my stalker seat and told her she was doing an amazing job. I’d love to read yours!
loved the bygones post. i found it a bit interesting/kind of shocking that someone i read not only lives in the same city i do, but referenced the city i went to college in. talk about a small world…
I was a new reader when you wrote the Bygones post and I haven’t stopped reading yet.
x365 reminds me of a book where individuals submitted their memoir - in 6 words. 6 words! I believe it’s called ‘Not Quite What I Was Planning’. My family and I spent an entire weekend trying to come up with our own 6 word memoirs. What an exercise.
If I have to interact with 365 people in a year, it’s a bad year.
URGH! The 365 Project! I came across it a few months ago and actually went as far as to make a list of people. I think I got close to 200 without too much trouble.
I agree with you on blog topics and meaningful writing. I feel like all I say is “the baby didn’t sleep!” “I’m tired” “Oooohh Coffee!!” and other meaningless piffle.
I think I might get going on the 365 project, such a big undertaking and commitment, but hey, I joined a gym back in July and I do go a few times a week -usually. I guess this is next?
I truly have a committment problem. Maybe this problem has something (everything) to do with why my writing is so half-assed and I only twitter about deep thoughts such as Strawberry Fanta.
Only 365? I interact with that many in January- and that is a slow month! I’d like to tey- not, pnly because most folks canbore you to death rather than excite or inspire you and the one’s that do- well, 40 words is short changing them by a mile!
P.S. I could Never insult you to your cats- a- they would never believe me and b- I’d get scratched and bitten for my trouble!
I followed the link but I’m still trying to grasp what 365 is.
I’m kind of feeling the same way. Documenting things kind of gets boring, for me. So instead I make shit up. Like when I told people I got called on stage with Joel McHale.
Which was a bad idea because everyone believed me. Even though I wrote “none of this happened.”
I have always loved the 365 idea, and think it would be a fantastic daily writing exercise for anyone, anywhere.
(Oh, and I started my site for the same reason. Over 4! years ago. Crazy, that. I do definitely feel happiest writing online when I’m being the most authentically me, and oftentimes that means less documenting, more free for all completely random writing.)
What an intriguing idea. I think you would excel at this exercise, Ms. K.
As a reader I’m not a big fan of x365, but I imagine it’s a great practice for some writers but the worst for others. My theory: it’s too intellectual for anyone who battles with their inner critic, but great practice for writers who are meandering and wordy or too inside their own voice. I like doing Natalie Goldberg’s Morning Pages routine to tap into free uncritical brain space.