Last summer, I decided to ask everyone that I invited to a virtual dinner party to guest post on my blog. I thought I’d randomly ask the people from that “guest list” to guest post for me – probably once a month. Because I honestly think that everyone should love them as much as I do. So far, we’ve heard from Kacy, Anastasia, and Jozette. If you missed those posts I highly suggest reading them.
This month’s guest is Amy of doobleh-vay fame. I can’t tell you how much I LOVE Amy. She treats every day like a new adventure in her life. She writes a lot about her family and her quest to make each day a creative experience. But at the core of every post is a powerful sense of self. And I think that’s what I love most about her (that and the way that she always writes “yr” instead of “your”). I’m thrilled to introduce her to anyone that isn’t already a fan.
I was reading a blogger that I love yesterday and she was talking about how we should blog authentically. How we should blog for ourselves and stop worrying about what others may think. She wrote about being true and unabashed and unapologetic and I freaking loved it. I feel like I had a click last year where I really stopped thinking so hard about what I was doing with my blog and just did it. I wrote what I wanted and people stayed. Those people that I thought might leave when I talked about the underbelly of my life stayed and even others came by to hang out. It has been a great lesson. I don’t have to box myself in by just talking about art and creativity and short people. I can also talk about sex and binge drinking and my lust for Wellington boots. I can talk about my whole self and make this space what it was really meant to be: mine.
In this click I found my place, my room of my own. I do want readers and connections (I am writing a novel for heaven’s sake. It is one of the reasons I started a daily blog: for practice and networking). I just want the connections and blogosphere interaction to be real and true. I want to love my blog at the end of each year. I need to want to make out with all of my archives and not be upset with myself for writing for others. I need to not worry.
I like how one of my friends calls my blog “more pub than blog”. I am cool with this. I love going to the pub. I feel like it took me a bit, but my blog is really my own blog now. It is named doobleh-vay which is W in French.
That W stood for “whatever” to me and a friend in high school. We would use it like slang.
Someone was a bitch to us? We would shake our heads and say “doobleh-vay”.
We were late somewhere? “doobleh-vay.”
You get it? So anyhoo. I named my damn blog doobleh-vay.
It really was like a gift though right? I should never have boxed myself in because it was really meant to be about whatever.
Just like so long ago in high school the person I thought I was supposed to be was killed by the person I was meant to be anyway. I am just like I was. I am about everything and friends with the diverse. I am the everyman blogger and I am just fine with this (finally.)
Back to my soul sister (at least I think so) Maggie. I also saw in her about me section that she likes Gloria Steinem. She has a photo of her and the wise one.
Once in college Gloria came to speak and when it was time to have the Q & A portion of the lecture I stood up and raised my hand.
I walked to the microphone and said:
“Hello Gloria my name is Amy Turn and I just want some advice. I am graduating soon and I just need some advice. My mom says to ask for it from those you admire.”
I stepped away and she smiled at me and leaned down and said:
“Amy Turn, be a woman that takes no shit!”
That has been many years back but it is really starting to resonate in my adult life again.
So readers. Take no shit this year – not even from yrself.
Just write. Write yr life.
I wish I could but I constatntly edit myself. Its bad I should lighten up
Amy just gave me the kick in the butt I needed to do a bit of writing. Hadn’t in a while because I’m sooo tired – but felt good to get back in the saddle. Loved this guest post Kate! Rock on!
OH THAT IS JUST SO COOL. What Gloria said, I mean.
As for the rest, well…. you know what? I needed to read this, too. Because today I put up a post basically ripping my other post, the one you loved, to shreds. I am nothing if not self-flagellating. Argh.
I need to stop caring. I need to. That’s why I need to unplug for a while, I think.
Anyway, thank you. Thank you both for this.
I love it! The part about blogging for yrself, even the underbelly stuff. I needed to hear that. If I sound depressed in a post, oh well, I’ll just try to take no shit!
Great guest post!
I just love that advice. I think I mostly follow it, but we all slip every now and again.
To have Gloria Steinem say that to you…wow!
Perhaps I’ll have to check out Amy’s blog. :)
Amen sister!
Damn, Amy, that is kick-ass cool.
Fabulous. I already like Amy Turn. Kate, stop, I cannot read any more blogs. I won’t have any time to write my own life or live it for that matter!!
I am a woman that takes NO SH!T….just ask Dave.
I am proud (much to my husband’s chagrin) to be a woman that speaks her mind and has opinions.
Off to check out Amy….
That’s excatly how I try to write my blog every day…even though sometimes it’s really hard to put it all out there, I’m usually glad I did.
Thanks Amy!
Funny, I started to do that about 6 months ago and I’ve never been happier. Thank you Amy
you are so fucking awesome. I love that post, i love your story, and I love Gloria.
She is so right.
True dat.
Fabulous post, Amy! And I cannot believe Gloria freakin’ Steinem told you to be a woman that takes no shit. That is epically cool!
i heart amy turn sharp