Do it for the blog
This is how sick blog-writing can become.
Yesterday while I was out cross-country skiing for the first time in my life, I had a few . . . unsettling moments. Moments when I was thinking I might have to use my newly-refreshed Wilderness First Responder skills.
And a part of me was thinking, “Here’s how I’d describe it on the blog: talking my husband through resetting my dislocated joint in the field, the whole trip to the hospital, what the pain felt like, what I said, what the X-ray tech said,” etc. I thought about how despite all the agony, I’d still try to make it sound funny and interesting for you guys. And in fact, maybe it would be kind of cool if something happened so I’d have something to write about–
THIS IS SICK. I realize that.
But I know I am not alone. A few months ago I met a writer who has had a couple of memoirs published–one of them was even made into a popular movie–and she told me that she’s become very self-conscious about whether she’s doing something because she wants to, or because it would be great to write about later.
Any of you bloggers out there feel this way sometimes? Is there a part of you that seems to be taking notes so you can tell us all about it later? (For instance, Heather, was it that way at the doctor’s office recently? And Diana, was that you during yoga?)
And blogger or not, do any of the rest of you have those moments when you’re thinking it’s okay something has turned out really rotten, because at least it will make an interesting story to tell someone later?
Technorati Tags: Blogging, Blogs, Bloggers, Cross-Country Skiing, Wilderness Injuries That Never Were
March 10th, 2007 at 8:16 am
I have found myself taking pictures for the purposes of the blog. But usually, I don’t think about the blog until the big white posting box is staring me in the face and I’m wondering what the heck to write about.
With the yoga post, it was me sitting there in my yoga pants, after yoga class, trying to blog and wondering what to talk about, so I talked about yoga. Which led to (I thought) an interesting aside about how I approach talking about my writing on the blog… which, I realized, I don’t.
It’s especially difficult because I try to steer away from anything that would be politically controversial on the blog and there is a particular cause (which is inconceivably controversial) that I am DYING to blog about. But next week will not be the time, since I’m going away and will not be there to observe and comment on the fallout, er, comments.
As to the second part of the question, everything is filed away for story purposes, as far as I’m concerned. EVERYTHING can be a story. (Which is one of the reasons why, when I really have nothing to blog about, you get to hear about my 2004 adventure in Oceania.)
March 10th, 2007 at 8:52 am
This is an interesting post…I can’t really say that I’ve thought it was OK that something has turned out really rotten because at least it will make an interesting story to tell later. I can say that occassionally in the midst of an event that was painful/scary/disgusting/whatever, I would think that if it wasn’t so painful/scary/disgusting/whatever, it would be funny. And sometimes, after it was all over, it WAS funny.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:55 am
No.
But I wish I was that way. I’m not organized when it comes to planning my posts. I sit down, turn on my laptop, and that is when I know what I’m going to write about.
This may be why I suck at outlines.
I don’t think it’s sick. I think you’re being productive by multi-tasking your life.
March 10th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Ha! Talk about a positive spin!
Deborah, I know what you mean. Although I have a hard time when I’m scared thinking of anything but how much it sucks.
Diana, you tease! Be political! Bring it!
March 10th, 2007 at 11:09 am
After all my adventures with injured joints, a chronic health condition, countless doctors, and several trips to the emergency room, I can tell you with authority that it’s always funny. Especially when they give you Demerol…
March 10th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Hi, I’m bj ( ** Hello, bj! ** ) and I’m a blogaholic . . .
March 10th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
i tend to look at everything a little tilted, always have. sometimes it gets me in trouble sometimes it saves my sanity. i was explaining the definition of “creative nonfiction” to my husband the other day, he responded, “oh you mean the way you live your life.” smart man, that one.
rb, your twisted fantasy has a slightly munchausen (sp) air, frankly i think you should try it–just close those eyes and step in front of the bus, think how much mileage you can get out of that. you might sweeten it by invovling the dog. (OKAY, OKAY, deborah, JUST KIDDING, about the dog).
diana make sure you give us all a heads up on, what i hope will be a full-on rant–what fun.
March 10th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Lizzie, maybe you need to start your own blog so we can all enjoy along with you.
BJ, not only are you a blogaholic, but you get other unsuspecting people like me hooked, too, by creating our blogs in the first place. High five.
Annette, your husband is tops. You, however, are sick for even suggesting I let my dog get hurt for the blog. I mean, sure, I’ll write about him eating soap and all, but it’s not like I fed it to him just for the sake of story. Sheesh.
And I agree that Diana needs to rant for our entertainment (not to mention her own relief). Come on, D.
March 10th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Well, while cleaning the closet this weekend I discovered an interdimensional portal that lead to a demon’s home. Or so I assume from the booming ominous voice telling me to “Get Out”.
The rational thing to do was get out and sell the house, as I’m not positive that you have to disclose demon gateways, since technically, they aren’t infesting the house.
But, I thought ‘what the heck’ and dove in the portal.
Let me tell you, if not for wanting the experience, I wouldn’t do that again…Turns out, though, that the Megraekel is actually just a misunderstood soul. He was just tired of listening to A Bugs Life despite the fact that it was so well plotted. And really, I can only take responsibility for one universe.
March 10th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Oh, I’m also trying to see how many times it takes, mentioning that it is warm and sunny in Florida each day, until Diana finally snaps.
March 10th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Guilty! I always find myself thinking “hmm..well, that’s bloggable.”
March 10th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
No, Lizzie, for me demerol isn’t funny at all…. for me, demerol results in a total disappearance of any voluntary muscle action, yet my mind knows exactly what’s happening and unless the rest of the world can read my thoughts (unlikely)….
Frightening. And why I carry a med-chip that states “extreme intolerance to Demerol; DO NOT ADMINISTER!” etc.
And of course, it’s warm and sunny here - which is NOT making me happy, because I HATE spring and summer….
But yes, experiences are always fodder, though for me it’s more fodder for roleplaying games or the bits of fiction (fantasy, sci-fi, romance) I write that never go anywhere than a blog version thereof (except for the VERY private rant-fest blog I keep….)
There was the time my horse slipped in the mud, I fell under him, he stepped in the middle of my chest…. and that sort of thing…. yes, funny now, but not at the immediate moment!
March 10th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
And, um, Robin? How ARE you? Or shouldn’t one ask? Obviously okay enough to blog, but sheesh - didn’t sound good there….
March 10th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Absolutely.
There are seriously emotional things that I won’t self-exploit for the blog. But all of life’s minor tragedies are fair game and create good opportunities for laughter and bonding.
March 10th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Vc, thanks for asking, but I’m sorry I made it sound so serious. I was just being a big baby, afraid of every twist and turn of the trail because I was trying something new. And I don’t like speed, and cross-country skis are not known for control, so I was just a little spooked every time we hit an incline bigger than a Lego ramp. Like I said, big baby.
Glad to know so many of the rest of you are looking for blog fodder in your lives. Kimmy, Nancy,Vc. But since I read people’s blogs because I like to peek into their lives, I guess it makes sense that you’re writing them with the same thought in mind.
March 10th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Oh, I’m horrible about that. One of the worst. It’s turned into almost a coping mechanism. “Well, that was horrible, but at least I’ll have something to talk about later!” Anything to help me slap a smiley face on it (sometimes where a smiley face just ought not to be, as with marking a land mine on a map).
It’s not usually for the blog, though. I have my own reasons for leaving large portions of my life undisclosed on my blog. It’s more to combat my lack of conversation topics with people currently in my offline life. Everyone likes to hear a story at someone else’s expense. And if it helps me laugh at myself, so much the better.
March 10th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Yeah, I totally do that. Think about how I’m going to write about something as it’s happening, I mean - not so much with the leaping in front of buses or into interdimensional portals. But I guess it could come to that if I really, really had nothing to write about.
March 10th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
“sometimes where a smiley face just ought not to be, as with marking a land mine on a map”
Miri, what a hoot!
Eisha, glad to know you, too, experience the tyranny of the blog. It’s fun to do, but there are times when we’re thinking, “What on earth do I have to say today?”
And then the dog eats a bar of soap and you’re thinking, “Sweet! Thanks!”
March 11th, 2007 at 6:24 am
Before I started blogging,I would try to cope with annoying customers by saying to my co-workers”Just wait till they leave and THEN we’ll talk about them!” Sometimes the only way to cope was to say to myself,”This will be a good story later on.”
And yes,I will see certain things as blog material,like tonight I’m going to watch the premiere of the new Lifetime series,BloodTies(their new paranormal mystery/romance show),mainly to write about it in my usual TV Thursday round-up. Just hope it’s not too bad. Then again,it is a vampire show and the guy playing the vamp looks pretty good,so…