My husband writes a blog, its nothing like mine, he wouldn’t consider himself an artist, but I think he is wonderfully creative in many ways. One of which is that he is a good writer. We had a conversation the other day about our respective blogs. I write every day, he writes when the mood strikes. We are both very curious about something. When we write about something serious, something that we feel is important in our little part of the world, we get maybe one, maybe two “likes”. When we write something that we feel isn’t up to par, our “likes” go through the roof. ?????? We are puzzled. If it happened to one of us then we might reason that what we feel is our better writing is crap, and in this apparently alternate universe we reside in, our not so good stuff is stellar. However, it is happening to both of us, and our blogs couldn’t be more different, in content, in writing style, and quite frankly, mine has more pretty pictures than his. (He occasionally posts a photo.) I wrote a post the other evening about hearing my couch call to me. It is one of the highest amount of “likes” I’ve received. I was a little delirious with pain at the time, and I think my writing reflected that. Now my brain hurts. Do I write better when in pain? Will you “like” me if I stub my toe before I blog? I know it can’t have been the artwork from that night. It wasn’t my best, and actually since this started out as a blog about my art as well as my life, I’d be horrified if you thought that was my best. I believe that I have produced some really nice pieces in the last few months with not a lot of feedback. My son said something last week (in his superior “I’m younger and smarter than you” best), he said that he thinks people who write blogs are self-serving. (He has his moments as a compassionate and understanding human being, this was obviously not one of them.) I think he’s just pissed that I started one first. (Just like the tattoo story…another time.) I explained to him that I started this blog because of the 365 project. I was hoping it would change my life, and it has. I also knew that I never do anything for myself, and would continue to ignore myself, and to feed my “not good enough self” that lives in the recesses of my brain unless I made it impossible to quit. The blog was born. As I explained the other night, I’d feel too guilty if I didn’t follow through. (Thank you Sr. Rose Vincent, Sr. Therese Angela, Sr. Aloysius, and all the other nuns who participated in my “guilt” education, and of course an honorable mention to my parents.) I wasn’t looking for accolades when I started this, I was looking for pressure. I succeeded beyond my wildest imagination. I feel like I’m back in high school and I want people to like me, gross. When I was in high school I never cared if anyone liked me. So I find myself at odds with myself. I have to admit it, I want you to like the art, it means a lot to me, and I hope you enjoy my ramblings, as for me personally….
For tonight another piece of pen and ink for my upcoming endeavor.
maybe your readers sense when you are “down” and hurting…. and feel the need to give you more support at that time…. We give when we see you hurting…. the rest of the time we take and move on. … to like or comment, I have to fill out a lot of forms… I’m new to blogging so I don’t know if this is every time or just the first few likes & comments… I don’t even know if my “likes” and comments go through.
Jenny, Thanks for the input. The entire post last night was only half serious, but it truly evolved from a conversation with my husband. I also empathize with people who are feeling down or hurting, so I think you may be right.
I really appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Hi Jackie!
I must tell you how I enjoy your daily entries. I read every one. Often I try to answer and it does not go through so I send you a separate e-mail instead, not every day of course! I had a thought about the “likes” on your blogs you don’t think are your best… I think more people identify with them too, how often does one admit their “couch” is calling? Yet all of us know that feeling and hate admitting we answer yes to the call! You make us feel like we too belong to the human race… thanks!
Thanks Karen!