Confessions of a top
100 humour blogger
From pastime to full-time, writing was always my passion
By Mona Andrei
Writing is something I’ve always had a passion for. Even when my spelling was limited to one-syllable words (dog, hat, the), one of my favourite pastimes as a kid was to sit on the floor in my bedroom and write stories.
Although I had no clue at the time, my early relationship with words would grow with me like a childhood best-friend; seeing me through the trials, tribulations, and even the triumphs that make up the journey we call life.
Before the trials, tribulations, and triumphs though, when the most important moments in a day were edged with innocence (mornings that don’t yet need coffee and following butterflies around the backyard), there were instances that gave a hint as to what I would be when I grew up.
Although I had no clue at the time, my early relationship with words would grow with me like a childhood best-friend…
I remember a day during fourth grade when my teacher, Mrs. Ness, introduced me to a couple of words that would forever change the way that I express myself on paper. She was walking between the rows of our wooden desks in her quiet, modest shoes, handing back our single-paged, short story assignments. As I checked each of my spelling mistakes (and there were many!) there was one correction in particular that claimed my full attention. As I write this, I’m reminded of the way that my eyes widened as this specific memory now stands from its crouched position in a corner of my mind, full of dust and chalk.
The second paragraph of my double-spaced story began with a word. And right above that word Mrs. Ness’s glaring red pen had announced that ‘alofasuden’ was not actually a word but a phrase. My child-brain absorbed this as though it was the most important piece of knowledge in the world.
It was on that day that the phrase “all of a sudden” became my favourite words of all the English language. (And probably the most over-used for many years after.)
Then a few years later when I was in high school, my perception of myself was changed once again when my grade eight teacher, Sister Sheasgreen, called my mother to discuss a little problem I was having with math. I was failing. My mother’s response? “Mona isn’t doing well in math because she is a writer.”
The indignation in my mother’s tone was unmistakable and I admit, I was a little surprised to hear her stand up to a teacher that could – with a simple facial expression – quiet a room full of chatty teenage girls.
…in 2010 I started a blog for no other reason than to have a creative outlet I could call my very own. While writing is comprised of all sorts of rules, the purpose behind this blog would be to follow none of them.
Fast-forward to today:
And so a childhood friendship that began with simple words has evolved into a lasting passion and vocation. To take this relationship even further, in 2010 I started a blog for no other reason than to have a creative outlet I could call my very own. While writing is comprised of all sorts of rules, the purpose behind this blog would be to follow none of them. No writers’ guidelines. No deadlines. No grammar police. Just a fun place to write about whatever I felt like.
An irreverent post about raising kids… A silly story about a dating experience gone bad… An emotional outlet after ruining yet another meal… my blog has become home to it all.
At first my blog was my very own special place on the Internet. A secret. It provided a place for me to be both bold and accountable to an audience of no one (except maybe my parents).
And while still my humble place to write about everything and nothing, over the years my blog has opened its pages to readers around the world. While providing me with an even deeper motivation for writing about whatever, I’ve also developed a passion for connecting and engaging with other like-minded writers, bloggers, and social media enthusiasts. Thanks to my blog, I’ve developed friendships with people from across the continent and beyond.
Then last year my humble, little blog described as, “Life updates gone wrong. Or right. I’m undecided.” somehow made it on a “top 100 humour blog list.”
Sharing thoughts… reading how my words have resonated with a reader… learning about others through their blogs… All of this has brought the art of writing to a whole new level for me. One comprised of intimate, although virtual, relationships.
And all without rules or expectations.
Then last year my humble, little blog described as, “Life updates gone wrong. Or right. I’m undecided.” somehow made it on a “top 100 humour blog list.”
Imagine my surprise when I received an email from the founder of Healthy Moms Magazine, saying, “I love your blog! I just wanted to let you know that we featured you in a list of 100 best Humour blogs.”
What did I do to earn this recognition? Relearn to be my most authentic self as I write with both the best and worst parts of myself.
Here’s what I mean by that.
A few years ago as readers started to discover my blog I went through a phase where I wanted everyone to like me. Said in another way, I wanted my writing to resonate with THE ENTIRE WORLD. *Insert evil laugh here*
My lesson: You can’t please everyone. Write for yourself. Always. Otherwise, what’s the point?
What happened next? As I started writing from a place that tried to please everyone, the act of writing seemed to lose its special meaning for me. All of a sudden (ha!), words became a bunch of letters strung together with no connection to my soul… integrity… unique purpose in life… call it what you will.
And during this phase of trying to please the world, my blog became just another writing assignment. That’s when I realized that I needed to remember my initial intention for the blog: a place to write for myself, to write boldly, without rules or expectations. I strongly believe that allowing yourself to write this way is the best way to not only discover your own unique voice, but also the best way to get to know who you are as an individual, and understand the motives behind your thoughts.
My lesson: You can’t please everyone. Write for yourself. Always. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Image: Startup Stock Photos
More articles by Mona Andrei HERE
Mona Andrei is a digital copywriter, writer, and social media strategist with over 20 years of experience, both on the advertising agency and corporate sides of the communication spectrum. When she’s not working on client projects, she likes to write irreverent posts for her personal blog, Moxie-Dude, where she writes about life updates gone wrong. Or right. She’s undecided. You can connect with Mona on Twitter or email her at Mona@MonaAndrei.com
Oh man, There are no dates on your blogs so do not know if this is old or recent, BUT I love it! I froze up also, when I started trying to write to please everyone or at least a good portion of readers that I wished were reading me.
But it took the fun away completely. My blog that used to be my fun safe place to explore, became an assignment that was full of fear and over editing.
Then I got a preschool teaching job and writing moved into the far left corner of my closet, covered in dust bunnies. Reading you is beginning to ignite the desire in me again. Thanks for being an inspiration my cyber-friend who I will never meet in person. I appreciate you very much.
Susie