I mean, "What's your blog about?" should probably have a more interesting answer than, "I dunno. Stuff I like. Or don't like. Or think about. Or do."
Yeah. Not exactly riveting, eh? Or specific.
So: What is my blog about? Me? Okay ... Who am I?
- I'm a Mom-Who-Blogs. But I don't think I fit the MommyBlogger profile.
- I have moments when I think I'm funny. But I don't think anyone is ever going to mistake this for a Humor Blog.
- I sometimes mention my work, but this is definitely not a professional blog.
- I like to talk about books and quotes. But this isn't really a Book Blog.
- I sometimes comment on current events. But this isn't a political blog.
- I like to share my love of all things geeky pop-culture. But not (I think) in an obsessive sort of way.
- Some of what I write is probably pretty boring to some people, but I would hope that is not a blog-defining characteristic. :)
But, here ... in my blog ... I don't have to do that. It's not so much that I'm missing my target as that I've just declined to identify one. As a marketing plan, that's a great big FAIL.
But that's just it. This blog isn't a job. And I don't want it to be. If I start "marketing" my blog ... trying to make it fit some niche definition ... well, that kind of defeats the purpose for me.
I love it when new people find my blog and have something to say about it. I think it's fun "meeting" people, getting feedback, engaging in conversation ... but that's not what drives me. That's not why I'm here. That's not "Who I Am".
Who I Am ... is a writer.
I write because I have to. Because I love to. Because I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't.
I'm lucky enough to get paid to do what I love, but that's not enough.
Don't get me wrong, I love the writing I get paid for. I really do. But, that writing is ... limited. Defined. Bound. Here, I have no restrictions. No rules. This is where I come to write about whatever happens to be on my mind.
I write about what inspires me, confuses me, amuses me, frustrates me, excites me.
I write about what I know, what I think, what I want, what I feel.
I write about what I love.
I write ...
Because I don't know how not to.
And that is Who I Am.
Well said. I went through a blogging identity crisis at my old blog and carried over that new "mission statement" to my current one. I try to write about parenting through various lenses, either my personal experiences as a father, or through stuff I experienced growing up.
ReplyDeleteLove it! And I have the same issue. A neighbor recently asked what my blog was about and I replied "stuff." Ooohhh...riveting. I'm shocked she didn't excuse herself to log in right then. And yes...because I write about my kid sometimes (a major part of my life) does not a mommyblogger make me. It's tough. (And I'm also in marketing and know that the first step in writing anything is identifying your audience.) Well put, this post. You writer, you!
ReplyDeleteI understand. Writing is a part of who I am, too. I have kept journals since I could write....
ReplyDeleteGreat post..
I love it.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what my blog is about either.
I do have some idea about what my blog isn't about (crafts, receipes, only my son, etc.), but I couldn't deserve it if I tried.
But isn't that the great part about a blog...that it can be different on different days? It's a reflection of you as a writer and a person. You don't have one interest. So you share what you like. And hey look...here we are reading it. So you must be doing something right.
ReplyDeleteThis post could totally be me, except for the part about being in PR, I was in HR (hey - that's only 1 letter away)
ReplyDeleteThe Geeky obsessiveness thing is a fine line to walk - it's hard not to squee like the fangirls were are at times :p
Yep. I feel the exact same way. I feel like writing is in my blood. And even if the world tells me I suck, I'll still have to keep right on doing it.
ReplyDeleteI think your blog is perfect just the way it is. Your blog is about YOU, wonderful, amazing, funny, fascinating YOU. That's enough for me.
hi! this is my first visit to your blog.
ReplyDeleteand like you (and many other commenters), i have no idea what my blog is about either. originally it was intended as an art blog, but art school really ruined art for me in a lot of ways. so now i just post whatever and whenever i feel like it. i like it better that way. no need to pigeon hole ourselves anyway.
I know this was written months ago but I'm new here and was looking through your archives.
ReplyDeleteI liked this one the best.
I'm a journalist, and therefore objective and impartial. I'm like Switzerland when I write during the day. Tell both sides, get quotes, lather, rinse, repeat.
But here I can write what I want, when I want, how I want. I don't sell ads on my blog and I don't do it to make money. I do it because I can't not do it.
Nice post and great blog. Adding it to my reader.