It's Not You, It's Me

There's nothing more interesting that finding a writer that "whets" your interest. That is: said writer brings out in you the need, the compulsion...to respond. Some writers? They manage to engage their readers more than others. Me? I seem to be a provocateur. I am one of those writers that everyone (Ok, that's just big talk...some, we'll say: some) loves to read...but nobody dares to admit it. Hmmmm. Oh, well must be the content? The voice? (Can you hear the desperateness in the questions? Throw me a bone here people.) It's not the subject right? I know talking about me, myself and I is not boring. Ok. I actually don't...but I do talk from my perspective. Hey. That's the only view point that counts...(ooops, did I write that ...uhhh..."outloud"?)

Since it's my intent to be sure and spread my name (repeatable mantra: reason why it's...repeated...often.) to sell my art...I also make a point of reading other blogs. Why? Well. How boring would it be if I only managed to rant about how long it takes my nails to grow? (boring...nothing new to julianne...there a cooking term...see? I do know...something...Rachel Ray teaches well) Hmmm? Yeah, it would be very boring. And truth be known? I almost never manage to keep those long anyway (what was I talking about? ohh, yea, growing nails type of blogs). No I don't bite them...I tear them off, just kidding, I find the nearest cutting tool and I proceed to hack them off. It's a throwback to my clay days (and soon to come back...when I manage to get the kiln that's gathering dust in my garage...to work.) and hating that wonderful dirt (usually the dark stuff that made you look like you weren't only the mechanic's wife...you also dabbled in the trade as well.) that caked under my nails. So I cut them. Often.

But I digress. The idea here is that having your interest "whetted" (the reader) is great and needing to respond...fantastic for the writer. You think we write for the sake of only writing? It's in a way...a very self-centered type of world. As is the arts world at large. (See? I managed to get myself a double whammy.) Being that am an artist? Stands to reason that my attitude toward my writing, is as ambitious as my painting expectations. "AM the queen of the worlddddd" There you have it. Straight from the horses (not so horsey looking though, more on the nice and lively woman kind of look) mouth.

Writing and art alike are a very self-gratifying (as weird as it sounds... no I don't want to even start saying it's akin to a mental kind of masturbation...buttttt...) you give yourself pleasure. You create and explore subjects, and activities that are a pleasure. (thus the "flying solo" analogy...somehow fits) And turn around and hope that what you have created will bring that kind of pleasure, or stimulate (Geez, for a blog that is supposed to be entirely non-sexual...this sounds more and more like it.) a reaction from your viewers...or readers alike.

That's where in writing: the comment comes in handy. It's the validation that your effort struck a chord. So, when I read a blog about what's important to be succesful in this process is keeping in mind that who counts is the reader...not the writer (understandably I was upset, here I thought the world revolved around me). Well fine and good (Raspberry to you all...ok..not really, xoxoxo, don't cry). But what happens if you have a situation like I do? Where I have readers (don't deny it boys and girls, the numbers don't lie) that come read my work...daily (thank you, thank you very much), but I don't know who? I dunno, I guess I keep talking, and they will eventually...dare. Duh.

Guess you could say that in the end? It's all about the process (ya know? the trip) not the final product (the destination). Darn it, am still fine tuning my words though. Comes back to that old saying we artists still debate about: art for art's sake (a reference to the purity of creation for the sake of creating something meaningful versus creating for a market...that actually buys...and gives you money...I'd take the market...but don't tell anyone...this is a war that goes on) or in this case: writing for writing's sake. We'll leave it at that, because when it comes to readers: sometimes it seems that some are just too embarrassed to leave a note...but they sure do love to come back for seconds...and thirds...and home runs. Love them all.

Just knowing am entertaining...quite a few actually...is gratification enough (ewwww) but once in a while...a gem calls up and leaves a note. (Don't tell the rest...but I love you more.)