Why I Write

In my previous post, someone left some comments saying that my blog writing didn't have any "depth," that all I write about on here are "beer and relationships," that this person is "ashamed to read my blog" and then compared it to a "car crash." I'm someone who doesn't take criticism very well. I want everyone to like me and my writing. But all reactions are good. If I write something and someone responds to it, then I've done my job. I want to address and clarify some things. First, this person didn't like how I mentioned wanting some sort of carnage to happen at Grant Park. Guess what? Don't take anything I write on here too seriously. I have a pretty dark sense of humor. I mean, on a daily basis I threaten to stab my boyfriend. Of course I would never do it (or would I?) and he thinks it's funny. What relationship isn't based on violence? (That's another joke, by the way). I mean, I did threaten my ex-boyfriend with broken glass once, but that's a different story. I think everyone is interested in destruction or they wouldn't watch movies like "Cloverfield" or read post-apocalyptic fiction. There's a dark part in all of us. Of course I would never want people I cared about to get hurt, but in my mind I can. Lighten up.

Second point. So, I started this blog almost two years ago because someone told me it'd make me a better writer and force me to write everyday. I'm the kind of person that always has a lot going on in my life. I have a million thoughts racing through my brain every second. Writing a blog helps me cohesively put my thoughts together. It's also a means for friends and family to keep abreast of what's going on in my life. My mom reads my blog, yunno. It's a way for people to start a dialogue with me. And I do think my life is pretty interesting as I'm always doing stuff. I know a lot of people who have "real" blogs where they discuss politics or post mp3s, but I've taken a different approach. I know it's narcissistic of me to have an entire blog dedicated to myself, but it's only one facet of me as a writer. Most of the writing I do is entertainment journalism. I also write personal narratives. Like this one. And I have a fiction blog. And for the past three years, I've been trying to write a book that has nothing to do with myself. And I write screenplays. That's what my degree is in. It's about other people. My blog isn't going to change the world. In fact, my blog has angered a lot of people. My style is throwing it all out there. I'm not ashamed of who I am. Of course I'm always afraid the wrong people will read this blog, like potential employers, (this blog is Googleable) so I do have to practice with some acumen. I've been trying to be better at being more private. I'm not in the business of ruining lives.

So when someone says my writing has no depth, I get offended. I think my writing on here does have depth. I've written a lot of emotional and even incendiary posts. I feel things. I express myself on here. I know I wrote about politics in my last post and apparently this person thinks my writing should be more politically based, but that's not who I am. I write about experiences and observations and the other day I happened to experience something politically related. I've been more interested in politics since the election, though. I find it all sorta interesting. But I'm not going to start writing about it. It's a subject I'd rather not delve too deep into. I don't really know enough about the political system to talk or write about it so it's best if I keep my mouth shut. People get so uppity about politics. My ex-boyfriend got very political the last couple of years we were together. He never wanted to talk about anything else. It's one reason we didn't last. It's a subject I'd just rather leave alone.

And yes, I guess I do write about beer and relationships a lot on here, but they are my life. I'm an editor of an alcoholic website for fucksake. And you know what? It serves a purpose. In this economic crisis, people need to know where they can get the free stuff. Just because you're poor doesn't mean you can't have fun. There again, it's for entertainment value. I go out a lot. I drink. I write about it. And relationships. How can one not write about relationships? Every single person is affected by relationships on a daily basis whether it's the romantic, friendship, work or family kind. It's all intertwined. So, I write about my relationships. They are important to me.

And now "car crash." Okay, my life might be a bit of a car crash at times. I understand the novelty in reading something for entertainment value. For instance, I think "Grey's Anatomy" is a stupid show yet I watch it every week. Same way I used to watch "The O.C" and "Sex in the City." Or people who watch "Gossip Girl." It's all very superficial, yet it serves a purpose. Just as my blog does. If you want to read my blog to kill time at work, that's fine. If you want to read it to get pissed off, do it. If you want to read it to stalk me, fine. I don't care why you read just as long as you do.

I'm not going to apologize for writing without "depth" or being a "car crash." This is who I am. I'm hyperbolic. I'm mean-spirited. I hate everything. And if you don't get that, don't read my blog. But if you do get it, stay with me. It's an experience you won't soon forget.

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And with that said, I went to a free booze event last night. It was a grand opening of an overpriced restaurant. We had free wine and food. We played pool. I suck at pool. And we got gift bags. Tonight I'm probably going to a concert and then a party where I'll drink more booze. I didn't spend a dime last night.

I'm also going to try to start writing for inflight airline magazines, yunno, the ones you read on US Air and Southwest. And I want to write for AAA Living magazine. Yes, AAA has a magazine. And they pay writers. Apparently all of these mags pay really well. And I think writing for them would be less competitive than writing for Chicago publications. Hell, I could even write about Chicago for them. I could be the Chicago correspondent. One magazine will even cover all of your travel expenses. I need to think of some exotic locations I want to go to and then see if they'll send me there on assignment. I think travel writing is where it's at. These magazines have all kinds of sections to write for, not just travel based. Hopefully I'll have some luck.

This is also my 250th post!! Ding, ding ding.