Slowing Down For Salsa
In the kick-off post for the NaBloPoMo daily challenge, I mentioned my initial fear of not having enough to say.
Such fear besets the very few. Blogs are so often blah-gs, filled with daily ramblings written in the manner of a Facebook status. Heck, there's a blog called What I Ate For Lunch and Why. It's been running since May of 2008. Surely it's a thrilling read, but you see my point here.
My chosen challenge month has many ready-made topics built in: my fourth bench press competition, my fortieth birthday, a foray into boxing. But drama does not always for good reading make. Don't just say something because you have something to say; first, have something to say about what you have to say. You follow?
I write long posts. I rarely include pictures. I overheard a twenty-something say she'll bypass a blog if there aren't enough pictures. We live in a visual culture, for sure, but that's no excuse for not slowing down to read.
When The New Yorker arrives in the mail, I make a pot of tea and sit to read. The magazine is filled mostly with black and white print; when there's a photo or drawing, it's top quality, as is the writing. Sitting with The New Yorker is practically a spiritual practice. Same with Leonard Pitts's columns, for me.
That's the kind of writing I strive for here: the kind that makes you want to slow down and savor. Or maybe just giggle. Either way, my intent is to be interesting--for you.
I will not tell you what I had for lunch.
Unless it was especially interesting.
Like the chicken, avocado, lettuce and salsa salad I had yesterday.
Such fear besets the very few. Blogs are so often blah-gs, filled with daily ramblings written in the manner of a Facebook status. Heck, there's a blog called What I Ate For Lunch and Why. It's been running since May of 2008. Surely it's a thrilling read, but you see my point here.
My chosen challenge month has many ready-made topics built in: my fourth bench press competition, my fortieth birthday, a foray into boxing. But drama does not always for good reading make. Don't just say something because you have something to say; first, have something to say about what you have to say. You follow?
I write long posts. I rarely include pictures. I overheard a twenty-something say she'll bypass a blog if there aren't enough pictures. We live in a visual culture, for sure, but that's no excuse for not slowing down to read.
When The New Yorker arrives in the mail, I make a pot of tea and sit to read. The magazine is filled mostly with black and white print; when there's a photo or drawing, it's top quality, as is the writing. Sitting with The New Yorker is practically a spiritual practice. Same with Leonard Pitts's columns, for me.
That's the kind of writing I strive for here: the kind that makes you want to slow down and savor. Or maybe just giggle. Either way, my intent is to be interesting--for you.
I will not tell you what I had for lunch.
Unless it was especially interesting.
Like the chicken, avocado, lettuce and salsa salad I had yesterday.
I'd never heard of the What I Ate For Lunch blog. That's kind of hilarious, and I had to check it out. I try to aim for "serious" writing sometimes, too, but then sometimes the posts that get the most attention are strangely inane.
ReplyDelete(And chicken, avocado, lettuce and salsa salad sounds delicious!)
It *was* delicious! As was my avocado/date/lettuce/honey salad of today. Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteI agree that reading the New Yorker is practically a spiritual practice! And, I really like the variety of this blog. Have a wonderful 40th birthday, Amy!
ReplyDelete