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.

Comments

  1. 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.

    (And chicken, avocado, lettuce and salsa salad sounds delicious!)

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  2. It *was* delicious! As was my avocado/date/lettuce/honey salad of today. Thanks for visiting!

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  3. I 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!

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