When I started this bloggy thingy it really was as a means to ‘self heal’ – a conscious and self-reflexive choice to use writing as a means to be kind to myself. I was confident I could string a few sentences together; I’d been doing it for years – film reviews, academic papers, another blog focusing on my ad hoc travel ‘adventures’, and other bits and pieces here and there. I can’t objectively say if my writing is any ‘good,’ but that’s precisely the point. I write as a way to process thoughts, observations, emotions, states of being and, as such, it’s likely that it won’t always be engaging to anyone but myself, let alone be considered ‘good.’
And I’ve really enjoyed it. Certain gaps in continuity notwithstanding, it’s been a most rewarding journey. The ‘healing’ process has taken me from straight up reflective pieces on subjects as diverse as fatherhood, memory, death and dying through to attempts at short fiction, even poetry! All this, out ‘there,’ for people to read, comment and, to a certain degree very much outside my control, pass judgement.
As I suspected, but had never actually experienced before, the most rewarding aspect of this type of endeavour is the connections that can be made with those who take the time to read my words. To begin with, I feel humbled by the very fact some people actually take time out of what I can only assume to be busy lives to actually read anything I have to say. And then there are those moments where what I say resonates with the lives of others, and they take the time to say so. I wonder if that’s anywhere near the feeling a musician gets when they hear their audience sing one of their songs back at them? Perhaps I’m overreaching but hey, it’s my blog, and my fantasy!
So first and foremost, thank you. For taking the time.
Now, what is this “uncharacteristic step” I allude to in the title of this post? Well, I’ve entered this little blog in the Best Australian Blogs 2014 competition. It’s held annually and sponsored by the Australian Writers Centre.
Entering a blog that is very much about me and my own thought processes into a competition feels a little counterintuitive. But it’s the very possibility of discomfort that this deliberate journey in writing seeks to court. And so I welcome it and the opportunity of letting others hear my voice – for what it’s worth. And whilst I’m realistic as to my prospects, I am thoroughly enjoying the possibility of engaging with new eyes and seeing how, or if, this process impacts my writing. And I trust you, my dear reader, will keep me honest. But no pressure, of course…
Oh, and there’s a People’s Choice Award too. If you’d like to vote for this blog you can click on the badge to the right of this post (if you are reading this on a PC and/or it’s visible to you), or click the link below.
www.surveymonkey.com/s/BAB2014
And thanks again!
be kind 2 yourself 