« Live Blogging | Main | Pre-Birthday Fun »
May 16, 2006
This One Is for Bastish
As I turned on my computer this morning and hoped that it would work as successfully as yesterday's foray into the shake-and-pray method of computer repair, I was having mixed feelings about writing in my blog.
Write Again Soon has gone through several iterations, and I'm feeling like it might be time for another transition. At first, the blog was just a way to keep my friends and family informed about my activities in Sweden. Inspired by Ms. Wish to See, several of the group of high school friends had created blogs, and it seemed an ideal switch from the masses of group emails that had cluttered our inboxes since graduation.
Midway through my time in Sweden, I started using Write Again Soon to do some creative writing, and to get more introspective about life. Looking over some of those entries, I can see that some of my best (and alternately my most pathetic) writing comes during these times of self-reflection.
At the same time, I dabbled in commentary, with my thoughts on books, movies, theatre, and the occasional political outrage. Pretty dry stuff, but I occasionally enjoy going back and looking at all the books I've read on my way to reading 1,000 books (#2 on my list of 50 Things to Do Before I Die).
I've also done a lot of writing about my travels, and in March added a photoblog feature where I've posted the best pictures from around the world (and my backyard).
Now that I'm back in the United States (even after being here almost a year, it still seems like a fresh start somehow), I struggle to find the right tone. A daily recitation of my activities doesn't seem too interesting (although Mr. Bastish somehow thinks of Write Again Soon as a treat--"like chocolate for dessert"). And writing about the saucy side of life seems to be risking my mother's mental health (although now that she's officially boycotting this blog, I suppose it's not hurting anyone). I don't have a strong interest in turning Write Again Soon into a pure commentary (I have neither the time, nor the expertise) or pure creative writing (because I'm terrible at it).
So what should I do? Does a good blog need a theme? Can it be all over the place? Chime in, dear reader.
Comments
I vote for sporadic. I have a friend who found her ex's new blog (he's a creative writing student who went to Iowa for their program and ditched her for a new chick) and his blog is dedicated entirely to random memories from his childhood that come flooding back--except they are entirely not flushed out and amount to inane drivel like "Suzy and me on a swing set in the park--Summer 1982?" It was so bad that it is apparently not even around anymore.
So instead, I say blog on whatever inspires you that day.
Posted by: mr. bad apologies at May 16, 2006 12:14 PM
I concur. I find that I only respect people's thoughtful, Pulitzer-winning opinions if they also take time to whine about how they went to DSW and didn't find a damn thing.
Posted by: Elizabeth at May 16, 2006 01:46 PM
More conversations with your niece.
Posted by: gizmo guy at May 16, 2006 08:16 PM
And other than that, just keep up like you are doing. Writing about the "boring" everyday life things like "We drove down to the Verizon Center and caught a meal of sushi and tapas at Sushi Go Round and Tapas, a weird combination I know." provides the contextual information for the reader to really understand who is talking in the more introspective posts.
Posted by: gizmo guy at May 16, 2006 08:19 PM
