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September 20, 2005
Blogging
At this point I ran so long ago I can barely remember it. I was exhausted and called it quits on my work last night at 11 PM and just crawled into bed. I woke up at 6:30 and ran for 42:32. My legs are still a bit fatigued from the race but I feel much better. I found a **new route** which is exciting b/c 1) just finding new places to run is one of my goals 2) there were some hills and 3) it was really pretty. There were also lots of other runners which was nice.
I was thinking about my blogging tonight. I am in a creative writing class and today the prof asked the people who contributed writing this week if they have any writing experience. The prof was very impressed by one girl who found time to “journal” for 20 minutes every day. I imagine I will be asked about my writing experience when I turn my first piece in next week. Do I mention the blog? What would I possibly say?
“I write excessively and almost exclusively about exercise. I often don’t use complete or proper sentences. I use a lot of smiley faces and shorthand. I am the star of the writing and, if other characters should appear, they play fleeting and minor roles.”
I imagine I will mention it as it is the only type of creative writing I do (or, for that matter, have done since 7th grade when we did a poetry unit). I think blogging is a very interesting medium and one that is actually pretty distinct from journaling. I am very cognizant of the fact that there may be people reading this. I watch what I say, think about what my audience would be interested in reading, and I do edit my entries before, and sometimes after, I post them. You all definitely get the edited me. Some of my fellow bloggers are much more forthcoming than I am and I really respect that. We all have different kinds of blogs and I think they all may count as some newfangled type of creative writing-though I am not sure how well my blogging prepares me for a culture of medicine writing class or, for that matter, drafting a business letter or memo. I think I will be okay though as, if required, I should still be able to construct a complete sentence with all of the requisite parts.
Posted by Audrey at September 20, 2005 10:15 PM
Comments
I also blog almost exclusively about exercise and this has become part of my daily routine, often more than once a day even. Writing in a journal for 20 minutes is nothing compared with the creativity and enthusiasm that is scribbled onto a blog... and I don't edit my posts, so they're usually quite opinionated and even angry! What goes on the blog... stays on the blog.
Running-wise keep going hard! Just remember to take a break for a day or two if those pains get worse... I found that out the hard way and it's ruined most of my year and races! The real question is what else is there to do but run though??
Posted by: Pete at September 21, 2005 04:38 AM
Hmmmm. I'm not sure if I would tell the class about the blog. It depends on how much you really do edit. Yes, the whole world can see your blog but its different if you know for certain your whole class is watching. What if you want to spout off about someone in class? Ofcourse, they could be reading this right now. Uh, folks, its just a hypothetical comment. Audrey is normally very nice, except when she pushed that girl into the pond.
I think the writing here definately enhances your writing elsewhere. It helps you put thoughts into a written format, and that's kinda like crosstraining for your brain.
Posted by: Jon in Michigan at September 21, 2005 08:01 AM
I love it. I think you should stand up in class and say exactly what you wrote :-) And I use a lot of smiley faces as well, even though I kind of hate them. I think I'm a little afraid people won't know I'm kidding/joking if I don't put the smiley face in.
I'm curious what your new route is. Any route on which you see a lot of other runners is probably a good sign, it means you're on to something! I'm glad your legs are feeling a little better.
Posted by: Alison at September 21, 2005 09:07 AM
For what it is worth I find your blog to be along the lines of an ongoing humorous and insightful commentary...newspaper or magazine like in many ways and very worthy of creative writing credit. Of course, I'm not a professor or a "blogger" and in fact I really only read and comment from time to time on the blogs of others. Does that make me a blog vampire...a blogpire?
Posted by: Rob at September 21, 2005 09:20 AM
I agree, you should definitely mention your blog (although maybe I would not share your url)... it is a great form of creative writing and you have a very awesome, entertaining blog!
Posted by: Barb at September 21, 2005 03:08 PM
Hi! I read your blog all the time, I picked it up from Alison's blog, Hope you don't mind, and I picked her's up through runners world magazine. But both you and Alison's blog keep me motivated with running and to keep my own blog. I would definitly mention the blog to your prof.
Posted by: noelle at September 21, 2005 03:14 PM