November | 2013 | BulgingButtons

November 3, 2013
by BulgingButtons 9 Comments

Snarky Bloggers Need Not Apply

Actually “reply” probably makes more sense, but I didn’t want you, dear reader, to think I was talking about you. I wasn’t. I was actually talking to the “helpful” bloggers who want to rid the world of blog posts they deem unworthy. I’ve seen lots of snarky and sarcastic comments about blogs that I don’t think are helpful at all. Maybe I’m missing the point. Perhaps they have been offered as satire. But I sort of don’t think so.

Telling new parents not to write about their babies is advice that’s likely to fall on deaf ears. Their new child is a wonder, and they want everyone to know about the amazing transformation they are participating in every day.

Not everyone who writes a blog is looking to be the next _________ (fill in your favorite writer here). Many people blog to keep in touch with far away family and friends, others do it just to get all those words that are swirling around inside of their heads out for some fresh air. We don’t all wish to be critiqued, even if we do hope to be read.

I understand that the internet is a public forum and whatever you put out there is fair game, but to offer criticism in the guise of advice seems unfair to me. It’s like your mama told you, if you don’t have something nice to say (or at least respectful and productive), then keep your big yap shut. New parents will tell you about every little thing their genius progeny does, from his rolling tummy to back prowess to her revolting sensitivity to dairy products.

New parents aren’t the only ones who do this. I’m a quilter. I read a lot of quilt blogs. If I were a more involved quilter I’m sure I would write many more posts about quilting. Would my experience of running out of thread in the middle of a big project be earth shattering? If it is, it’s only in my eyes. Still, I may wish to blog about the situation. Does that make me a bad or boring blogger? Not automatically. You would still have to read my post to find out. If you’re interested, that is.

What it boils down to is this: I think readers can judge for themselves what content appeals to them. Telling bloggers that there are hard and fast rules of blogging seems counterproductive to me. Blogging allows for instant publishing for the people, by the people. It’s very democratic, and as such you, dear reader, have the option of reading along, participating in the discussion, or passing any particular content by. Give the people choice, I say, and keep writing those cute baby stories. People really do read them.

November 2, 2013
by BulgingButtons 11 Comments

Fat and the Writing Lifestyle

November has come screaming in with the beginning of NaNoWriMo and the fantastic workshop I attended this morning. It was my first novel writing workshop, and it was so well done. The fact that it was also free and included a catered lunch was even better.

Then, once home, I discovered the NaBloPoMo challenge. I am such a sucker for challenges, especially ones that I think I have a chance at completing. This one, to publish a blog post a day, seemed like a no brainer for me. I post often, sometimes more than once a day. I signed up and grabbed their badge.

That got me thinking about other challenges, notably my 47 for 47 challenge. Uh oh. There are lots of items on that list that are yet to be crossed off. In fact, most of them. Oops.

The thing is, the more I live a “writerly” life, the further I’m getting from my health and fitness goals. Last night, as I produced my 2,300 words I munched on m & m’s. Hmmmm. Writers can eat grapes as they write. They don’t need m & m’s. I can also think about my characters or upcoming chapters as I walk on the treadmill. I need to keep this in mind as I immerse myself in words. I need to remember to take care of the physical, even while I’m focusing my energy on the mental.

November 2, 2013
by BulgingButtons 18 Comments

No Wonder I Look So Fat

That’s what I said when I watched this video. Ok, I’m kidding. I know the real reason I look so fat is because I am. But at least my videos and photos are an honest representation of me. Now before you read another word take a moment and click on the link above to watch a model transformed before your very eyes.

I knew models were airbrushed, and I knew that they were made leaner. I also knew that their cup sizes were regularly modified. What I didn’t realize is that their necks were stretched and their legs elongated. I didn’t know that their eyes were enlarged and moved about on their faces. It’s rather horrifying when you think about it.

Where do we draw the line between reality and fantasy when it comes to appearance? Cosmetics? Hair extensions? Fake tanning? Those are all very common appearance “enhancers” but some might argue that they’re dishonest too.

My personal opinion is that if you couldn’t be seen in person the way that your image appears, there’s some voodoo going on and it’s not on the up and up. My neck will never be longer, and I will not grow another inch taller, but I might tweeze my brows and put on a little lipstick.

No wonder we women look at ads and then turn a viciously critical eye on ourselves. “She must have more willpower,” we say. Well, yes, compared to me she doubtless does, but she’s also half digitized. In other words, fake.

Here’s to real women of all shapes, sizes, colors, and looks. There are so many versions of beauty that contorting an already beautiful woman into something less than human seems almost profane.