In my New Year’s post, I shared my goal of writing more. Here and elsewhere. I always wanted to be a writer but gave up the idea as unrealistic. I was lacking confidence and practice. There was also a bad experience at a creative writing course in which my writing partner slammed me in front of the class, when I wasn’t there.
Now I write here somewhat regularly but I’m not always happy with what I write. I think I could be in my “Element” when writing but I have to get there by writing more and writing well.
I want to write longer, more thoughtful, well researched posts about a variety of subjects that interest me. From parenting to politics to education, I want to write about it all. Well. Like Kath at Losing It. And Jen. And Sara. And Tracy, Ali, Nancy, Sarah, Shawn, Gav, and all the other writers here at Urbanmoms. Also like Annie at PhdinParenting, Kristin at Intrepid Murmerings, Dionna at Code Name Mama, and Lauren at Hobo Mama. There are many more but I will save them for future Sunday Surfs.
The problem is I have a hard time finding enough time to write really reflectively much of the time. I need time to research, real other blogs, reference books and websites, think, discuss, write and rewrite. Sigh. Perhaps one post a week like that would be manageable. Perhaps articles for elsewhere will have to wait, at least until summer time.
I also want to be funny sometimes. Like Christine, sometimes I don’t feel like my old self anymore. Life has ground me down and I’m not funny, fun and lighthearted like I used to be. Some of that person was back this holiday, especially the other night playing Hummzinger with my family. I was funny yo! Really funny. Just ask my step-daughters, they’ll tell you. It’s coming back (thanks big pharma – I never thought I’d say that!).
What do you think? What types of posts do you want to read. It’s always a good idea to know what your readership likes. What type of posts compel you to comment? I’d love to compile a list of ideas, so please let me know.
Thanks.
Well, I enjoy your writing on all kinds of topics. I’m most interested in the family posts about parenting, twins, education and so on. But I enjoy the little glimpses into other parts of your life, like canoeing, travel, writing, and natural living.
They don’t all have to be carefully researched essays. Quick and fun posts are great too, or the ones where the pictures are worth 1000 words.
Keep it coming, when you have the time and you want to say something… no pressure!
And thanks for the entertainment and food for thought you’ve shared already…
S
I understand you perfectly, lady. I don’t know what the trick is… I’ve neglected my personal blog for over a month now, and I just dunno what happened. Small kids are tough. Jobs, home, family… not easy to schedule the time to actually write stuff around all the damned domesticity, and when you’re not even sure what to write? Ay, there’s the real rub. I “suffer” along with you, doll.
When you figure out the trick, please let me know!!
PS – I think your writing is swell. Yes.
Thanks Sara, I need all the support I can get. I also craft blog posts in my head all the time, but then I forget them. I need to use my phone as a recorder or something so all the ideas don’t flit right out of my head.
I’d love the Coles notes versions of blogs….
and I’m with you on the gushing.
I love your posts Erin and am in awe of how detailed and researched they are! Thanks for the lovely compliment. I was just saying to Christine how I’m amazed at what kind of posts seem to strike chords and which don’t. For me, if I just sit down and type – and not think about it much – then it pours out and people seem to like it. The ones that I take time, and craft – not so much.
I’m with you. I also wanted to write. I love the blogosphere because I can say I’m a writer but be grammatically awful at the same time.
I do a ton of writing in my head as I’m driving. Most of my posts are written there well ahead of when I actually sit down to write them. I actually wrote my mom and my grandmother’s obituaries in my head (truly…I’d love to write obits for a living).
YOu have a ton on your plate and a job that doesn’t let you read as many blogs as you’d like…I should coles note them for you…:) I’m also a fan of Annie. the blogs I love the best are true to life and show peoples shortcomings. I can’t read mothers who just gush all the time because I’m not buying it.