Blogger

Blogging started out as a fun hobby of mine, but it’s turned into so much more. I like to write and am solidly decent at it in an amateur-creative-everywoman kind of way. I write what I care about; fleeting thoughts and ideas about this hard, volatile, heartbreaking –beautiful stuff called life.

When I first started blogging at Fridley Patch, I had begged the editor at the time, Chris Steller, that I please, please be allowed to use a pseudonym. I wanted to write unabashedly, but only felt I could do so hidden. I wasn’t always this way. In my youth I had dreamed of having articles or short stories published in glossy magazines, handpicked (and talked about in their meetings for my brilliance) by editors for my moving and witty content. The idea that I could be published in a very public format without any kind of screening, any of kind of approval, seemed an absolute frightening proposition. I mean, what if it was bad? What if it was dumb?

I lacked courage to publish a single word. Who knows what gave me the push. I suppose it was the parts of me that like a creative challenge, and accepts the payment of failure for the gain of learning. So, after slaving and laboring away at an entry, then sitting on it for weeks —I just did it.

I was still alive in the morning. None of my neighbors pointed at me at Bob’s Produce in ridicule. Life went on as usual. And I was a blogger.

Many, many blogs later, I realize blogging has brought a lot of value to my life. For one thing, when you write, you enter a special state. Time moves from the frantic, distracted place of constant noise and movement, into the languid reflective rooms of your mind. You are able to revisit memories and ideas you had long since put to rest, only to find wholly different objects. It is a singular gift of simply being.

I have found countless things, under this new lens of examination: a voice of confidence, the grace to be vulnerable among a crowd, the bravery to face strong disagreement, and professional opportunity. These gems wouldn’t be in my possession, had I never blogged.

For those (and I know there’s plenty of you out there) who have wondered about and wanted to blog, but just never quite had the guts to try. I say sincerely, DO IT! You may think you’re not an expert on anything, but you’d be surprised how untrue that is.

Because I’m pretty sure you’re the only one living your life right now, and the best person who can tell your story, is you.

Curious? Come to the Blogger Party, hosted by Patch staff and editors on Tues. January 21st at Erte in NE Mpls from 6:00-8:00pm. RSVP to Hannah by end of day on Friday the 17th at: hannah.gruber@patch.com or 651-247-6583. More details here: http://stlouispark.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/bloggers-lets-get-together-stlouispark