Tuesday, June 28, 2011

What to post...

I have started no fewer than five different posts over the past two weeks, but never felt comfortable enough to actually upload to the website.  A part of this is due to the fact that I still think of this as a "book blog" despite the fact that I haven't written a book review in months.  I feel as though I am not being true to "the blog"

But Molly, this is your blog...you can post what you want?  Well, yes, but still.  There is this marvelous book blogging community that I love and I am not sure that they have an interest in reading my personal dribble.

Another reason for my absence is that I think I have found the "scratch" to my "writing itch" in the morning pages discipline.  Ever since I discovered the website, 750 words in April, I have written nearly every day (I have only missed 4 days and that is because we were on vacation with no internet access).  While this kind of writing is not helpful in honing the craft, I have found it incredibly useful in ordering my life.  It seems that if I write down a goal, I am far more likely to actually take the first step in achieving that goal.  Funny how that works, isn't it?

So now that the writing itch has dissipated, I am left with making decisions as to what to actually post on the blog.  Here are some possibilities that I have considered:

  1. Rosetta Stone - I am working my way through the French course (at least levels 1-4) in the hopes of conversing with the locals in their native language when I go to Paris next month.  Lately I am spending about two hours a day immersing myself in the language.  I thought of writing a review of the software as well as my personal discipline.
  2. Water - funny topic, huh?  But I have resisted drinking water for years and I fear that it is now taking its toll.  In an effort to develop healthy habits this summer that will (hopefully) remain with me once school starts, I have tried to drink more water.  Two things have helped:  buying a 32 ounce water bottle, and using a squirt of MiO peach/mango drops.  I have thought of writing about this new lifestyle change.
  3. Wine Tasting - yes, another new interest.  I know that wine is more plentiful in France than soda, and I have always enjoyed pairing wine with food (although that interest was put on hold while raising a family).  I have read several books on the topic and watched a few instructional videos.  I thought of writing a Weekend Cooking post on this topic - which perhaps might lead to future food/wine posts.
  4. Menu Planner at AllRecipes.com - while I have only had access to this tool for about a week, I must say that I am absolutely in love with it!  At first I had to get over the fact that I had to pay for a website that I have used for free for years....but once I analyzed the benefits, I felt that it was well worth it.  I love that there are hundreds of pre-designed weekly menus that I can choose from - but also adapt to my own taste.  It is the jump start to getting back into the kitchen that I have needed.  I thought of writing a review of this culinary find.
  5. Playlists - when I was in high school music was a huge part of my life - but once I had children my rock and roll albums gave way to Barney cassette tapes. I am trying to reconnect with this side of me this summer and have developed a few playlists -- some based on beat and melody (what I tend to focus on most) and others based on meaningful lyrics.  I thought of posting my playlists in an attempt to perhaps hear some of your favorite songs as well.
  6. Photography - yes, this continues to be a focus, although I seem to be stuck in "head" knowledge and I can't quite seem to make myself go out and gain practical experience. I simply must change this before I leave next month.  I have read several books (which I could quickly review) - but last week I took an online PhotoShop Elements 9 workshop that was FABULOUS!!  I thought of writing a review and for those who might be interested, you could download the workshop at CreativeLive.
  7. Unraveling - another online class that I am taking this summer.  This class is amazing - although rather deep and introspective (which is what I was looking for).  Susannah Conway has managed to create a very safe, compassionate Flickr group where we learn to get in touch with ourselves through photos and writing.  My sister-in-law recommended this perfect class for me - and I have thought of writing reviews of what I have learned so far.
  8. Writing - still a major interest of mine and I continue to read more about writing than do it (do you notice a pattern here).  I have been focusing more on writing memoir (as I truly do believe that everyone has a story to tell) as well as learning to write with the senses.  I would like to hone this craft so that when I eat those memorable meals - or taste that memorable wine - I can recollect it accurately in the written word.  I have thought of possibly writing reviews of those books I have enjoyed most.
  9. Paris - of course most of my free time has been focused on preparing for this trip.  I have done quite a bit of online research, as well as reading a few travel books.  Since we may choose to return to Paris for our 30th anniversary next year (hard to believe I have been married that long!) and have other family members join us, I have researched a variety of tours that I would not normally consider just for myself.  I have considered posting links to those here - and I will probably work on posting a few travel articles while I am actually there.
So this is the way I have kept myself busy for the first month of summer.  Yes, I am still here, but just not sure that the activities that keep me busy will be of interest to you.  If you find any of the points listed above suitable for a full length post....please let me know and I will be happy to oblige.  Otherwise, I hope that all of you are staying cool as we head into this Independence Day weekend.

14 comments:

  1. Gosh Molly, you are full of ideas!! Book blog or not - I love to read about your personal side as well! And I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this.
    BTW, I'm not a big water drinker myself. To make water tastier to me I often squeeze half a lemon into my bottle - it's very refreshing!

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  2. Molly!! So glad to see you! Oh, my dear, please post whatever you would like. If it makes you feel better, put a statement in your header design that this is MY COZY BOOK NOOK and life nook or somesuch. I think that so many of use are transitioning over to some posts of about our lives and our other interests instead of completley about books. And I applaud that. I mean, we've gotten to know a bit about each other and I think it is natural to share about vacations and life events and building a house (me) and exercise and pictures of all the above, plus books.

    I would be honored and pleased to read posts on any of the above topics. Or, I'd be glad to have you check in and say "I'm still alive. Having a great time doing ____. Planning to ____.". Whatever you write is perfect. So excited about your trip and I know you are too. Hugs and I'm so glad to hear about your writing and journaling. It seems that it is helping you find new joy in your life. And that's a very wonderful thing.

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  3. I would be interested in anything you want to post about! I've been thinking about refocusing my blog too. Maybe it's just a side-effect of summer!

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  4. You've seen my blog, right? Plenty of non-bookish content, and I still consider myself a proud member of the book-blog community. Post what you feel like posting! People who aren't interested can skip it, but I'll bet more of us will read it :-).

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  5. Sounds like some pretty good topics to me! Who needs all books all the time anyway! Wine is a particular passion of mine and my husbands. We read, learn, travel and taste, learn some more, we even have an app where we can rate what we taste. So much fun. And I love Allrecipes. I use it almost daily.

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  6. I've had trouble with this as well. When it's a review blog, people come to it to read the review. When it's a personal blog, readers kinda need to want to read what you have to say. I read your blog for who you are and to learn what you're up to.

    I think that's what my readers are reading my blog for, at this time, however once it becomes a personal blog, then the question becomes, how personal? I know that you're supposed to give your reader something to take away--some little gift of new info or something. I can do that, but I will not write posts for that purpose only. I'm far too busy to have to add that to my plate.

    Anyway. I'm always interested to hear whatever you have to say about anything. You are an interesting person.

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  7. Write whatever interests you, what makes you happy. Anything and everything interests me. I've never been a niche blogger. I blog about books but everything else too. My blog is a great way to practice and work on writing. I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip to Paris.

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  8. Bonjour Molly (3 years of French). Well, you certainly have been keeping busy, even if it isn't book reviews, I'm happy you are keeping in touch.

    Au Revoir!

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  9. I love reading whatever you want to write about. I think you're an interesting person and come away with new ideas and such whenever I stop by!! Sounds like you're having a fun filled summer and Paris! Enjoy!

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  10. Can I just copy and paste Kay's comment? Seriously, it seems like many of us are 'evolving' and there's nothing wrong with our blogs reflecting that.

    I'd be interested in all of the above! We love wine here, I'm a firm believer in meal planning, am enjoying photography more every day... and Paris! sigh

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  11. While I enjoy all book-related posts, I have found that lately I am more likely to skim book posts and read the real-life personal stuff. So post away - we'll read whatever.

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  12. I wouldn't necessarily call it "personal dribble," but personal posts are some of my favorite because they are often more heartfelt and I get to know more about the blogger.

    I'd love to read about any of those topics, but am interested in the menu planning site because my cooking repertoire is very limited.

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  13. I really think you need to make the blog what you want it to be ... and forget what others think or expect. IF they don't want to read what you want to write, they don't have to. Simple!

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  14. Hi Molly---I know you posted this a while ago, but I am trying to catch up. Your thoughts mirror mine and in fact I just posted a bit about my thoughts the other day. Yes, I love to read, but I have never been the deep, professional type book blogger that many others have been, and my reviews have never been deep or formal and frankly there is so much more to all of us than just the books--and like Alyce, I enjoy the life posts-the tidbits from people I will never meet in real life (in all likelihood) and who live in different parts of the country or world. Actually I find some of that simply fascinating! So post away---I for one will still be reading!
    *smiles*

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