I’m amazed at how many blogs fail. People get tired of blogging, but leave the website up, with nothing but a picture of an ugly baby, who has since graduated from medical school. Writers will always have periods of mental constipation, where their most brilliant thought of the day is “jerk can be used as either a noun or a verb.”
I’ve never taken a Rorschach test. Ink blots went out of fashion long before I got crazy. That’s a shame, since I’m sure that I would feel more like I was getting my money’s worth at the shrink’s if I got to see two mules kissing. Ink blots represent free association, creativity, and mental health institutions for people who like to lick tablecloths. Most humor writers fall into the latter.
This morning, I’m watering the lawn. I’m at the age where looking at a sprinkler causes a sudden and unnatural need to pee. Unfortunately, my bare feet are now covered with wet grass clippings that I don’t want to track in the house. What to do? There’s a deep sink in the garage, but at no time does it cross my mind that I can wash my feet in the sink before going in the house. Instead, I’m trying to figure out how I can balance on the edge without falling in. That’s kind of how my mind works.
But I digress.
I love it when a blog pretty much writes itself, but that’s usually not the case. The best humor writers make it look easy, but what you don’t know is that it can take literally hours of Twinkies and Yoo-hoo to flog a story to life. This includes napping, moving sprinklers, and every other day, changing underwear.
Recently, a friend of mine got a negative comment on her blog. I hope it doesn’t discourage her, because she has a real gift. There are enough obstacles to blogging out there … lack of time, money, inspiration, Twinkies. I’m grateful to my friend for the many times her blog had me laughing out loud. Being able to share a laugh is pretty powerful stuff, and to my knowledge, she doesn’t even lick the tablecloth.
Well, while I haven’t resorted to licking the tablecloth, I have on occasion been known to lick the…wait, maybe you don’t want to know.
I suspect the “anonymous” poster–who, as Mike suggested, didn’t even have the guts to reveal herself–was someone with a personal gripe of her own.
CBS Sunday Morning did a story on blogs and bloggers. Check it out at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/06/12/sunday/main20070685.shtml
There are really very few bloggers in this world who are able to make money at it. What drives the rest of us is anybody’s guess.
What? You can make money doing this?! Why didn’t someone tell me?! I think I’ll quit my day job.
Seriously, C. S. Lewis said “We read to know we are not alone.” I think we write for the same reason — or maybe it’s just a cry for help. Who knows.
Well said. It’s literally painful to try to get something written sometimes. Thanks for putting your personal hygiene aside for your readers!
It’s the least I can do. No, honestly.
I love to write humor, but it is so hard for me. I fret over it way longer than anyone should. Fiction comes much easier for me, but I do love the humor. That’s why I’m here every time you post. You are the master! Oh humor-whisperer! I don’t care what you smell like either.
You, my dear, are a first rate humor writer, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I probably should wear my reading glasses. I thought you wrote “You are the hamster!” Seemed kind of weird, but …
Hamster. LMAO
Karla, you said: “Being able to share a laugh is pretty powerful stuff…”
I agree and got to wondering, mostly because of two one-liners in this post, if you’ve ever considered gathering up your one-liners and publishing them–maybe with a side of humorous pickle-ponderings…
Here are the two one-liners that gave me much more than a chuckle:
“Ink blots went out of fashion long before I got crazy. ”
“I’m at the age where looking at a sprinkler causes a sudden and unnatural need to pee.”
🙂
I wonder where I can find humorous pickle-ponderings? I hope they come in dill!
I’m at the age when THINKING about a need to pee! But then, I have so much “Poise” to ever consider peeing in the sink! You definitely are a humor writer; I wish I had your gift! Thanks for making me laugh on a regular basis!
Nobody ever accused me of being classy.
Look, in my defense, there was maple syrup that had fallen onto the table cloth, and I didn’t think anyone was looking, so could you really blame me for licking it off?
You could have saved some for me.
Very good, Karla! It is, indeed, hard to make good humor look easy. And I just got a bad review of a fanfiction I write a few years ago, so you’re never safe from that kind of thing.
I keep blogging even though I suck at it. Hell, I’m crazy and I don’t know when to quit, so I don’t!
It’s always easier for the blood sucking leech to hop a free ride. I should explain. That’s what I call reporters and critiques who ride the famous wave by their comments. I have to admit, I’m not much at writing humor.