Next Blog, Next Story, Please

When I should be writing my own stuff, I find myself perusing other people’s blogs. I keep clicking “Next Blog” to see what pops up. What else is out there?

Some stuff is just crap. I’m not kidding. I make my share of mistakes, but I at least try to put out a good piece. If you can’t put together a few complete sentences, WHY ARE YOU BLOGGING? Don’t embarrass yourself! I’m quite judgmental, but Microsoft Word created spell checks and grammar checks for a reason. If you decide to break grammar rules, it better be for a reason, and it better be effective!

The God blogs abound! So many people feel God is working miraculously in their lives. I respect this, I do, but those religious folks are DED-I-CAT-ED! They actually keep on their posts, which just irks me. Strike one! They are also grammatically correct. Strike two! I’m completely jealous that God or Allah or Yahwey is on their side. Strike three! I can’t click “Next Blog” quickly enough. I’m certain eternal damnation awaits me.

Family blogs are just as popular as those God blogs. I know way too much about families that I don’t know. Nancy from Ohio, why do I know the names and birthdays of all four your children? Don’t pedophiles seek out this information for bad reasons? After several happy-family entries, one woman revealed her and her husband’s decision to divorce. The post was written after they talked with their dark-eyed, dark-haired adorable four children, of course. The kids should know before strangers like myself, right? I felt like a voyeur into very personal matters, but I did read the entire entry. Yikes! What does this say about me?

Now imagine this – religious family blogs! Ahhh!

I know. I’m full of mockery for others’ blogs. I’m not naïve; very few actually people read my blogs, and yet I write them anyway.

Occasionally, I do come across a blog or two that I really enjoy. I keep clicking through entries, one by one. Some are witty and funny. Others make me pause and think. Some make absolutely no sense, but I want to know more. Once in awhile, I even read all the way through a religious entry without cringing or clicking “Next Blog.”

Why?

I am wrapped up the story. Good writers tell stories, good stories. They capture an experience in words. They immerse me in their thoughts, tricking me into thinking these thoughts are my own. They tell stories about themselves and everyone and no one. They share pieces of their lives that are bigger than and smaller than themselves. Somewhere in these stories, I find slivers of myself. I want to read to the end, and I am saddened by the last sentence. The story is over.

As I read these intriguing blogs, I am really trying to glean the author’s methods. What did she do that hooked me? How do I replicate that?

As I write, I strive to tell my stories, which should be your stories. Why should you care about my life? If you ask that question while reading my words, I’ve failed! Send me back to the drawing board!

Have you made it to my last sentence? Maybe this time I succeeded. Maybe not.