Let me begin this by saying…I’m not joking.
I have a problem. I write like a blogger…All. Of. The. Time. No kidding. I’m serious. Christmas cards, work notes, e-mails, text messages and even Valentine’s cards. This isn’t good.
I’ve talked about this a little before, and I will again. I was picked on as a kid (and still some) I’m short…and over-weight, always have been. An easy target. Because of this I have a couple of different defense mechanisms.
- Self deprecation
- Humor
These things are most often combined. I think I equate getting nervous with being picked on. So now, when I feel nervous – despite the fact that I may not be getting picked on – I still go on the defense. I may be wrong though.
The good thing is I don’t get as nervous as I used to. The bad thing is, when I used to get nervous I would drink – now when I get nervous I write. This is good if I happen to be writing a blog post, but that isn’t always the case. No one wants to see a Christmas Card that says “Hey, if Grandma got run over by a Reindeer…doesn’t that mean we won’t get any of those great cookies she used to make?” or a Work e-mail that says “You know the saying – The darkest hour is just before the dawn? – I wonder if that works for other things like – Your tummy is the hungriest just before the deuce.” You see, both of those look alright on your screen now…on a Brother Jon page, but not so much in other places. It’s had to show sincerity if all you ever do is joke around.
I need to learn how to turn off the “Blogging Mentality” when I’m doing other things. This is why so many people keep notebooks I suppose. I do too, but I guess I’m doing it wrong.
Note to self: If you think of something and your first instinct is Hey, this could be good blog material – save it for the blog. Don’t share it in any other form of written or typed expression. It’s easier to say…But, that was on the Blog…then to say…But, I write like a blogger. Every single thing we do is a choice. It’s better to Choose the Right (Write).
The right way (Photo credit: ElenahNeshcuet)
1. Choose the right when a choice is placed before you.
In the right the Holy Spirit guides;
And its light is forever shining o’er you,
When in the right your heart confides.[Chorus]
Choose the right! Choose the right!
Let wisdom mark the way before.
In its light, choose the right!
And God will bless you evermore.2. Choose the right! Let no spirit of digression
Overcome you in the evil hour.
There’s the right and the wrong to ev’ry question;
Be safe thru inspiration’s pow’r.3. Choose the right! There is peace in righteous doing.
Choose the right! There’s safety for the soul.
Choose the right in all labors you’re pursuing;
Let God and heaven be your goal.Words by Joseph L. Townsend
I’m still not quite sure what the problem with writing like a blogger is. Are you writing lack a passive aggressive girl here not saying what the real problem is?
There’s nothing wrong with letting your personality shine through anything you write. Eventually it will click even in a professional sense (my hope at least!).
I don’t think I’m acting that way. I’m just thinking that if there is a time and a place for it…then there is definitely not a time and not a place for some of it.
I, luckily don’t run into that issue. I don’t consciously do anything that I’m aware of. I’m sure that’s not helpful at all.
I like your style.
You’re pretty sexy, too. Seriously, just be you. And keep in mind who your audience is. There’s nothing wrong with humor in an email, but there’s a time and place for everything. Just as Rutabaga said, I’d rather have too much personality than not enough.
I think we write like we write – I love that my emails and whatnot are sprinkled with my style; it typically makes my co-workers and clients smile when I inject a little bit of my personality and make a human connection via email. So I don’t think I would think that your writing style would be bad in other forms of communication; unless it’s maybe an article for a peer reviewed journal or some other form of ‘serious’ writing.
I think that’s just it. I’m not injecting “a little bit”…I’m going overboard at times. I just need to reel it in from time to time.
Well here’s a question for ya, are people you’re writing to saying whoa there boy-o… reel it in?
I had my grad prof tell me I had to change my style (or be less stylistic) when I was writing research papers – they had to be written as if they were to be submitted to a journal; and at first I was completely insulted – but when I listened to what he said and not being defensive, I could see his point. When I write analysis at work, I try to keep that in mind and just report and support what I’m saying with factoids. Then I can be more ‘me’ in the email that I send to the client with their report.
I’d say it’s better to be big on personality than being dull chalk dust!
Crap Jon, I cant even blog on a regular basis and now I find out Im supposed to keep a notebook too?? Im exhausted.
I think you’re doing alright.
I think I know what you mean. An old work acquaintance messaged me on Facebook recently asking how I was doing and I ended up giving him this ridiculous trying-too-hard-to-be-funny reply that I regretted the instant I sent it. I got all bloggery on him and I realize now that I should have toned it down a bit.
Yeah, this is pretty close to what I mean. Thanks Emily.
Write like a blogger,
Run like a jogger,
Play pong like a ping-ponger,
Climb like King Konger.
Words to live by, no?
Are you sure you’re not from Shangri-La?
Is that in Vegas?
I thought you hated that book? ! bwa hahahahaahha
I’ve never really given this any thought. I guess I just write like me.
I haven’t until recently. Thanks!
Is someone wanting to get Freshly Pressed?
Yeah, that would be great…but not this time. I’m saving my next cat post for that.
Please know that I just sang Choose the Right all the way through. Haha! I always loved that song. I used to wear a CTR ring and so did Lily. I think everyone should wear one as a reminder. Great post!!
Thanks Grippy! I thought you might like this one.
I really like that song too. It’s one of the few I can remember.
I definitely get the “This is good, need to save it for the blog!” mentality sometimes.
I do this too. I’m also starting to talk like I blog, which made physical therapy very interesting somedays. It’s hard to turn off.
It’s probably because you’ve done most of your writing on your blog–so that is the style you are most comfortable in–at least your blogging is always getting better! Thus your emails may be slightly surprising, but at least easily understood (by smart people who know enough random facts to get your jokes.)