More Blogging About Blogging

"Better to write for yourself and have no public,
than to write for the public and have no self."
— Cyril Connolly

I have been mulling over this post since Chelsi said a mouthful, and subsequently hosted an enjoyable mini forum in her comments section.

Last year, I sought the services of a career counselor (PA), and when he asked what my perfect job would look like, I said it would include writing more. My job at that time included some writing, but not much opportunity for more. PA suggested blogging.

Although I had heard of it, I didn't know what blogging was about. Frankly, I thought it was weird that people share online journals. I dragged my literary feet. Not only was I too lazy to figure out the mechanics of publishing a blog, but I had no idea what to write about. It was at this point on a Wednesday that PA gave me until the weekend to get a blog going, or he threatened to jam my email and VM until I did. I knew he wouldn't do that, but I figured since I was paying him for his advice, maybe I should take it.

There are two things that I can talk about all day long if you get me started: horses and 1:12 scale miniatures. Because any day with horses can turn into an adventure, the choice was made. At first, I was intimidated by the blogs of equine professionals and people who had been around horses all their lives. I had to be up front that I'm making this up as I go. I can't teach anybody anything other than possibly what not to do. I decided to blog under my real name, in case it ever became desirable to produce current writing samples. I also decided not to worry about whether anyone reads what I write, much less what they think, to keep it real and honest. Some days I feel like a writer on Seinfeld or The Office, which are basically shows about nothing, but I always keep in mind my reason for blogging in the first place: it's my impetus to write. That alone makes this blog a self-indulgent endeavor, but so what?

Blogging more than serves the purpose for which I began. For one thing, every day at least one of you makes me laugh out loud, something I truly value. I also learn something new every day, and much of the time, that "something new" is gleaned from the blogs I read. I pay more attention to what's going on around me, to the small details. I take many more photos than I ever have, most of them for the purpose of posting here, though for every one I post, there are ten others on file.

BTW, in October of 2008, I was able to change jobs, accepting a writing position within my department.

"Thank your readers and the critics who praise you,
and then ignore them.
Write for the most intelligent,
wittiest, wisest audience in the universe:
Write to please yourself."
— Harlan Ellison