Tag Archives: Blogging

Two years ago today I was 30 weeks pregnant, recently unemployed, and very, very confused about blogging.

I thought that if I simply wrote a few things down, posted a youtube video, or made a half-hearted joke on the Internet–people would read it. I didn’t realize that blogging took work. Real, sit down, don’t get distracted by Facebook, honest to God work.

I’ve written about blogging before and what it means to me. Last year I wrote about finding my voice and transitioning from blogger to writer. Not much has changed. If anything, I’ve grown more apathetic to the side of blogging culture that pushes you into doing things you don’t want to do. As always, I’d like to thank my blogging spirit guide Elizabeth for showing me what real blogging is. That girl gets shit done.

If I have any words of advice on the whole Internet business, it’s this: put out what you want to get back. Do you love reading classy fashion posts? Then do classy fashion posts. Do you love hilarious cat memes? Then go buy a tiny top hat and get to work.

Don’t fake it. Don’t write things you wouldn’t want to read. Don’t pretend you don’t care about numbers but then really, really care about numbers. Be yourself. Be original. Don’t expect to get paid.

I love this blog. I love it despite its terrible title and lack of fancy graphic design. I love it because of you, because when I pour out my heart or post a ridiculous picture of Queen Elizabeth, you show up. You read, you comment, you engage, you make me a better writer. Even if you’re one of those who quietly reads behind your work computer or in the middle of a night during another feeding–you’re showing up too.

Thank you.

This blog, these words, those pictures of Queen Elizabeth–they are my love letter to you.

Cheers to another year.

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Have you ever read a great book and then YouTubed the author hoping for a great interview? If yes, sorry for your disappointment! I remember the first time I watched Anne Lamott being interviewed for her masterpiece Bird By Bird.  Instead of listening to the eloquent words I was used to reading, I watched an awkward exchange decorated with incomplete thoughts and moments of strange hesitation. It was painful.

I am not Anne Lamott. Not even close. But I am notoriously awkward, so being interviewed without knowing the questions ahead of time is a recipe for long rambles and awkward pauses. The fact is Writers are not the same as Speakers. Writers are used to editing and constructing and thinking things through. Speakers are used to flying off the cuff. Speakers have the amazing ability to come up with brilliant, witty, intelligent sentences at a moment’s notice. How convenient!

Earlier this month I did a radio interview for a local podcast. A few days before it happened, my dad gave me some advice (he is in radio). He said: before you answer a question, take a beat and think about what you’re going to say. Don’t just start rambling.

Great advice! So I did the exact opposite. I ran at the mouth, said things I don’t mean, and came across as a self professed “expert” blogger who talks a lot about poop in a slightly pornographic voice. Excellent!

Anyways, here. And a big thank you to The Lancast for conversing with me despite my awkwardness and inability to finish a sentence. You rock.

There are unspoken rules in mom-blogging. For example: Don’t talk down to your readers, don’t insult your spouse, don’t overshare about sex, and definitely don’t talk politics.

After I graduated from college in 2007, I started a terribly unpopular blog on current events and politics. George W. Bush was president and as a staunch democrat, it was easy to find things to rant about. The problem was–it was boring, not because politics are boring but because I was.

When I started Motley Mama four years later, I imported some of those posts into my new blog and continued to reference my affinity for the liberal agenda. I quickly learned, however, that sharing political views in this sort of space is unfailingly volatile. I lost readers and even a few friends after not-so-subtle insults and eye rolling about conservatives. It wasn’t long before I cut out politics all together. It wasn’t shame, it wasn’t fear, it was the hard truth that politics and mom-blogs just don’t mix; much like a dinner party–it’s best to keep things light.

A year later and my caution has grown. Not just on my blog, but on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook as well. I’ve begun to limit, and in many cases completely abolish, any mention of the upcoming campaign or my thoughts on hot button issues like Planned Parenthood and healthcare.

It’s strange. I feel like I’m keeping this giant secret on behalf of everyone and no one. I don’t want to offend anyone and yet there’s no one specific to offend. I don’t love it.

I wasn’t always this way. In fact, I grew up in a Republican family and went to a largely Republican school. After the 1996 election, my entire 5th grade math class booed when the the principal announced over the loudspeaker that Bill Clinton had won against Bob Dole. In high school, I wrote essay after essay on the importance of the pro-life movement and turned up my nose at those crazy, drug-induced left wings. It was only after four years at a liberal Mennonite university that I began to understand the other side of the story, and by 2007–I was marching in rallies and avoiding tear gas.

Here’s the thing: discussing politics is tricky in almost every social situation, not just on the internet and within the blogging community. It’s also church, book-clubs, bars, baby showers–most of the time we feel like it’s better to keep our mouths shut.

I suppose I just miss the conversation. I like talking about something other than cloth diapers and one year molars once in a while. And really, I don’t care what your political views are. It doesn’t matter to me if you love Sarah Palin, Ralph Nadar, or Mitt Romney. I just want to talk. I joke around about conservatives because I’m the kind of person who jokes around about everything. I also probably watch a little too much Jon Stewart.

Look, some of my closest friends and family members have starkly different beliefs than I do, and while there have been a few awkward conversations and heated discussions, most of the time we just accept each other for who we are.

That’s my wish for us in this space, too.

A few years ago when Obama was running against John McCain, I was emailing my Grandma about my frustration with those close to me over their unwavering support of the republican party. I’m sure I was being very immature and dramatic, but my grandma is one of those grandmas who is very, very patient. I will never forget what she wrote that day. She said, “God can work through anything, even a donkey. How about that? Little pun.”

Amen.

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Your thoughts? Are you a blogger who avoids politics or do you let it slip in? As a reader, how do you feel when a lifestyle or mom blog shares their political beliefs? What about baby showers or book-club? Is there ever a good time?

Share. It’s safe here.