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06 July 2016

Nice Things People Say About My Writing | IWSG

Sometimes, I tell lies. You know - fibs, untruths, falsehoods, porky pies - that kind of thing. Prevarications, if you want to get fancy and are big into crossword puzzles.

I bet you do too. If you say you don't, I'll bet you a bag of chocolate chip cookies that you're lying.

I tell lies to myself - "Eating one more chocolate chip cookie won't hurt. It will just go to waste otherwise. Wasting food is bad. I should eat this cookie. It's the right thing to do." And I tell lies to others - "Sure thing, Doc, I've totally given up eating sweets, including chocolate chip cookies, and I run five miles every day now."

Ready for a confession? Here's one of the big lies I tell myself - "I don't care what anyone thinks about my writing! I started this blog for me. It's my personal creative outlet. It doesn't matter if everyone thinks I'm a rubbish writer!"

Yeah. That's not quite the truth. I do care what people think about the weird and wacky nonsense I post on this blog. I don't lose any sleep over it, but I do care. Here's how I know that I care - when someone says something nice about the blog, it brings a smile to my face. Generally, you don't smile about stuff you don't care about.

When the fine folks at the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) announced this month's writing prompt, I took it as a sign to stop lying to myself about not caring what people think. (I still reserve the right to lie to myself about the health benefits of chocolate chip cookies.)

What's the best thing someone has ever said about your writing?

Just a couple of days later, I had another sign from the Universe when I got this comment on my blog from Alex, the founder of the IWSG.

Not into boating of course, but I did find some of that rather funny. You have a great sense of writing humor.

First of all, I was stunned he had even read my blog post. After all, it was on the exceedingly dry, dull and mind-numbing topic of safety tethers for boats. The only reason I read it was because I wrote it and even I found it boring. To have someone say that I could inject some humor into such an uninteresting topic brought a huge smile to my face.

For me, telling me that my writing is humorous is a tremendous compliment. Because I write about such an eclectic range of topics - such as boat safety equipment, traveling the States in a 13' camper, bringing moas back from the dead and washing my hair - I do wonder if people tune out when I blog about something that isn't of interest to them. One of the things I do try to do is have a sense of humor and explain things in such a way that everyone can understand and relate to what I'm talking about, even if they don't have personal experience or interest in the topic.

It might not always work, but sometimes it does. And, when it does and people tell me it does through a comment or an email, it brings a smile to my face.

What's the nicest thing people have said to you about something you do? Do you ever worry about what other people think?


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24 comments:

  1. I love it when people tell me that my blog is entertaining for them. Yeah, there's something to that for sure. Otherwise, it just feels like throwing a bunch of word salad out into the void. Sure, I write for myself, but it's dandy when people are entertained.

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    1. It's so much nicer when people are entertained. Otherwise, you feel kind of silly being the only one giggling away while you read your blog :-) Yours is very entertaining by the way!

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  2. The older I get the less I care what others think. I am pretty sure this comes with age.

    I love all things boating and I love your sense of humor. You also write very well. I think I've covered you fairly well.

    I tell lies all the time. Often to not hurt someones feelings.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

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    1. I definitely worry about a lot less now that I'm older. It's funny to look back and remember what I worried about when I was younger.

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  3. I didn't realize we had started doing a monthly question. Whoops! I'll do it next month.

    That being said, I can definitely read about things I'm not interested in if the writing is engaging. That's a great compliment!

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    1. I think it's completely optional. It's just a prompt in case you're stuck on what to blog or need some inspiration.

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  4. Awesome. To be truly funny, now that's a challenge. I love the theme this month. So much positivity!

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    1. It's a great theme - wonderful opportunity to remember that sometimes we do do things right :-)

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  5. Do I worry about what other people think? Yeah, but probably not as much as I should (the result of having spent the last 17 years of my life with David). Seriously though, I think most of us enjoy receiving a pat on the back for the things we've done or who we are. It feels good to be recognized, especially by the people we care about. I also think most of us probably don't speak words of praise or encouragement often enough -- kudos are meant to be shared!

    Cheers,
    Stephanie @ SV CAMBRIA

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    1. I've got to meet David one of these days hearing you talk about him. He sounds like a character and a clever chappie too. Obviously have to meet you too :-) I do try to say encouraging things to others because I know how much it means to me when I get compliments.

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  6. Wow! Well, glad it meant that much to you. You did have some great dry humor in that post. That's why I read it.
    Now you just made my day!

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    1. It was a lovely thing to say - I really appreciated it :-)

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  7. Your opening paragraph made me chuckle!
    You DO have a wonderful sense of humor.
    And writing about everyday things and putting it across to readers in your unique personal style, is a great way in which to develop your writing voice.
    Happy IWSG Day!
    Writer In Transit

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    1. Aww...that's sweet! I'm glad I gave you a chuckle :-)

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  8. Alex also gave me an incredible compliment when I joined the IWSG...it was on one of my first posts for the group, and it made my day. He's very good at it.

    Personally, I love your writing. This post itself is hilarious! I'm glad I found you through the A to Z Challenge.

    My blog used to be a great source of heartache until I found what I was supposed to write about and rebranded. Like you, I tried not to care about what people thought, but it was impossible. As writers, we wear our hearts on our sleeves.

    Pass the chocolate chip cookies.

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    1. If I was a better person, I'd pass the chocolate chip cookies. But, I'm not. Utterly selfish - they're all mine :-)

      Thanks for the sweet comments about my blog. Made my day!

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  9. I know nothing about boats but, it's true, your humorous style draws me in even so. Or it could be your ideas on chocolate chip cookies.

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    1. Reading our blog and seeing all the yummy snacks and treats you guys eat, I have a feeling we would get along really well :-) Now, I have a craving for a cheese scone for some reason.

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    2. I'm sure we would! I love cheese scones too.

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  10. Although I also hate to admit it, I do care about what other people think. I (hopefully) don't worry about it, but saying I don't care is a lie. We all need some compliments and positive attention, otherwise Facebook wouldn't be this popular! :-)

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    1. Caring vs. worrying - that's a great distinction!

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  11. Your sense of humor always has me smiling, or cracking up. I really enjoy your blog, your dedication to posting frequently, and the question at the end. I'm always waiting for some big inspiration, and then it seems like a huge deal, and I don't write anything. I guess I need to get over it. Bill writes up his technical stuff, and my eyes glass over, even though I know I should be paying attention. You know, because things break, and he might not be there to help. We are not at the boat currently, and I think that everyone's eyes would glass over if I described all of the painting, cleaning, refurbishing projects on our house that we are doing in preparation to sell it. Boring! (I'm bored doing it)

    I do love it when we get comments, and people respond positively to our blog, it did start out as a travelogue for friends and family, and now it is so much more. I know Bill has his practical followers, but I am just goofy.

    Donna/Denali Rose

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    1. Aww...thanks Donna! I love your guys' blog - a great mix of really useful technical stuff and fun goofy stuff (I love Funday Friday!).

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  12. I do love your sense of humor. Always nice when someone compliments you. I smile, too.

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