Thursday, May 15, 2014

Hunting for True Juice


Last week was my 52nd post on this blog, which means I've done it once a week for a year. I didn't make special note of it then, because I thought I might have to miss this week, due to the shoulder surgery I just had a couple of days ago. But hey, lookie! Blog post 53.

(The operation was a success, according to the doc. I'll be able to judge for myself after a bit more time & rehab. Am able to type this through the slight haze of post-op meds, so my poor Dragon is staying in his lonely lair for now…)

I launched this blog in honor of the release of You've Got a Book in You, wanting to focus on zestful writing and zestful living. Being somewhat reserved by nature, I haven't done a lot of gut-spilling, but have been more—clinical, I guess, in my postings. But it seems that bloggers who write in depth about personal things connect better with their readers. It also seems that bloggers who are willing to make enemies do well at connecting, because you can be provocative by being critical of someone else or someone else's ideas, you can start a little war, you can try to get your Twitter followers to gang up on their Twitter followers…


[These kids are zestfully blowing their own horns. Photo by ES.]

Because let's be honest: Conflict and negativity can really be fun, especially if you're looking on from the sidelines. "Let's you and him fight, OK?"

I don't think I can do that, but I do want to make this blog more personal. Because I've found when I'm talking in person to aspiring writers OR readers of my fiction, their eyes invariably light up and they enjoy it when I veer away from the script (where I talk about ideas and techniques) and get specific about my own experiences and opinions.

How do you feel when reading someone's blog, or writing your own blog? Do you find that juiciness results in more intimacy? How does it work for you?

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7 comments:

  1. You've been in my thoughts, fingers crossed that the surgery went well. Yay! And drumroll, Congratulations on a year of blogging!

    Empress' New Clothing syndrome -- everyone who lets others read what we write. I can tell you a book's worth about my crit partners. Equally scary, the road runs both ways. You don't have to yammer on about how you whatever. It's in the work. With as much as we reveal inadvertently, why get all up in other's faces?

    When I see a Twitter stream of nananaha's, I do not follow. Which is why my "new's" comes from John Stewart, LOL. Mainstream media, serious whatever.

    Authentic is a rare quality. Which you have. Why mess with success, ?



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    1. Thanks, Cordia. Yeah, there's always the Too Much Information Syndrome....

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  2. Hi, Elizabeth! I like it when there are anecdotes included along with the more informational/instructional kind of stuff. I actually notice when I am ready for an anecdote or example when I'm reading! Hope your healing goes well! :)

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    1. Karen, you're right that an anecdote can help illustrate a point. & thanks for the good wishes.

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  3. I hope you continue to feel good and stay on the mend. :)

    I tend to be shy in person but I feel comfortable sharing some things on my blog, more than I do in real life anyway. I think it's because I've found my audience, my people, and I know most of them can usually relate to what I'm saying. Even if they can't relate, they're always supportive and encouraging. I do try very hard, though, to not cross over the TMI (too much information) line, and I stay away from controversy. There's enough of that out there.

    Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

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    1. Thanks, Madeline. How does one know when they've found their audience?

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    2. I have a wonderful group of core followers who return again and again, who read my posts and comment thoughtfully and sincerely, who are encouraging and supportive of my writing. I believe, too, there's a number of people who read but don't always comment - I do that sometimes. For me, it's more about building relationships than just "networking."

      Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

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