I first started blogging in 2007. I wanted to write. After a couple of posts, a cranky hipster wrote on a friend’s blog, criticizing my work with this comment:
she’s a literary editor? I’ve seen better writing on the middle school bathroom wall…
It was a smack in the face. I responded with an enumeration of “facts” about who I am and why I was writing—first and foremost, clarifying that I was not, in fact, a literary editor.
So, let’s lower those expectations again as I try to dive back into the bloggy world. I write grants for a living. Before that, I was the managing editor of a literary magazine. And before that, I was the editor of a visual arts magazine. I studied magazine journalism for three years in college before switching my major to public relations. I love the immersion of writing, of swimming in images and the glinting ring of certain words when they rub up against each other. But I’m no poet.
This blog, as it has been since I began, even with the repeated starts and stops, is a collection of things I find interesting—from science to memory, justice and family, the human condition, the rain, the Other, the empty space between sighs. I hope to become a better writer by writing more frequently. I hope to move or entertain or educate those who have taken precious time out of their day to read. I hope my writing is good enough to earn your attention.
Introductions are in order: My name is Meg. I live in a small rural Ohio town nicknamed “Pigspittle.” I am in my 50s but still feel much younger than that and continue to be amazed by the amount of time that has passed since I learned how to tie my own shoes.
There is more, of course. It will come. Baby steps.
Forget what the cranky hipster said, I’ll support you in your dive back into the bloggy world. Looking forward to more posts from you!
Take care!
Thank you, Lhu Wen. I’ll return the favor!
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You don’t need to swim with any cranky hipster sharks, or feel the glint of their envious witless-isms. We love your writing here, Meg.
Awwww, thank you!
I think the cranky hipster got up on the wrong side of the bed and was even crankier that day. Pay her no mind. If she didn’t like it, she could have walked away. Instead she took the time to post something so what’s that really about? More about her than you I think! Thanks for following my blog. I came here for a visit and I loved it.
Thank you, Jules!
Found this post from a mention that InNateJames over at his place the Relative Cartographer. Glad I did. I think I’m going to like your posts. I liked what you had to say here. *aBoyNamedSue hits the ‘like’ button.*
Thank you, Sue!
I have been told things like this before and I did not react well to it mentally. I had a professor in college tell me to my face that I was a terrible writer and it absolutely crushed me. It made me question myself and made me feel incredibly embarrassed even though no one knew she said that except me. I wondered why I was even going to school for English after that and every time I wrote, I felt like I wasn’t good enough to be doing so. I’ve since then decided to not let that other me anymore and decided to write more in my blog for the same reasons as you. I’m hoping to improve my skills. From what I’ve seen so far though, that person did not know what he/she was talking about. I’m really enjoying your blog and your writing! 🙂
Thanks so much, Britney. I do hope you keep writing. I don’t know why people feel compelled to dash others’ dreams. If writing gives us joy, that’s what we should do. All best to you!