I left off the punk, because well that would be rude.
In this blogging, twittering, facebooking world, I feel like there is a lot of pressure to be witty. We need to come up with posts that entertain, comments that make people laugh, or status that have people ROTFLing.
Lots of times I'll read someone's blog and then I'll click on post a comment only to come up blank. This little box stares at me, begging to be filled and I can't think of one entertaining thing to write. Or if I do, someone else has already said it, so invariably I either don't write anything or I put great post.
I tried twitter for about a month and frankly felt so out of my element I stopped. For me twitter and facebook status scream - be funny or no one will care what you wrote.
How about you. Do you feel the pressure to be witty? Or am I the only one?
Please don't let me be the only one.
28 comments:
Hi Patti
I know what you mean about the need to write the witty and entertaining blog posts. I feel that pressure, posting every day. I can't count the number of times I've stared at the comment box too.
I think sincere thoughts, funny or not, are always appreciated. :)
Not necessarily to be witty, but to draw readers...
And then I do everything I can... and suddenly my hits go down by a neat 50%
>_< Sucks.
Some people are naturally witty, others aren't. All we can do is be ourselves! That's what important.
Nope not witty, just Beth.
bethfred.com
I'm just one of those naturally witty people. . . okay, that sounds wrong. What I mean, is that's just how I usually respond in real life anyway, so for me I don't try too hard to be clever.
Sometimes, I think it also comes down to the blog post itself. If the blogger does a good enough job in their post the witty comments will just flow!
Not so much witty as relevant. But yeah, the pressure is definitely there to say something witty or funny or astute or not say anything at all.
No, there's definitely pressure to be witty. But the nice thing about your blog posts is that whether or not their lol funny, they're never too long and they're always relevant.
concerning comments- Oh I will do that a lot, just close. I don't like to always be first to post, usually my name is the last one in, but most of the time I will just let it flow and be myself. I'm not good at questions in general. You have probably noticed I don't join in on a lot of things where there is a puzzle to solve. I like to slowly ponder things through sometimes. I guess on the other hand I say it as it is, and then I speak volumes at times.
By the way, you are each unique!
I feel exactly the same way. Everyone loves funny. Only some people love helpful and relevant. And what I write? Um... I'm not sure why anyone reads it.
It's the same way "out there" too. At residency there's a "author reading time" where everyone gathers in the bar and people read from their work. Everyone loves the funny stuff. The serious stuff gets just polite golf-clapping.
Of course, that might be because it's ten at night after 13 hours of classes and we're in a bar. But still.... the pressure is there.
I'm only funny every now and then. The rest of the time... not so much.
Although i should add (to my already long previous comment) that I don't care if someone is funny in the comments on my blog. I just like connecting with people about anything. And if they come and read and have something - anything - to say, I'm grateful.
I have felt it before. I think I'm learning to just let my personality come through, come what may... Either people will enjoy my stuff or they'll think, that girl is Gonzo weird. :)
Well, now I'm all self-conscious about what I write on your post...
I think the thing I try to do, is to be myself. I know, I know, lame. BUT, then I don't have to worry about how I come off, or what people think, or second-guess what I put out there.
It is SO hard, though. Because there is that pressure to be clever, insightful, witty...
I find it hard to make a pithy remark. It always take me loads of words to say what I have to say! I agree with Heidi above, I'm not reading my own comments searching for wit - I'm just really glad that people have taken the time to to respond.
Twitter is my big enemy. I can be funny when my "characters" aren't limited. But Twitter doesn't permit wordy wit. ;) And yes, it is really really hard to think of funny, intelligent things to say all the time. Like now, for instance. I'm going to sit back and think "that's the best I can do?" and, truthfully, at the moment, yes...it's the best I got...
Maybe we should start a movement for more flavors of toothpaste. There really aren’t any to speak of.
OMG don't feel that!!! I for one LOVE getting comments on my blog! I don't care if they make me laugh or cry or just smile because someone cared enough to write something. What you have to say is important and you shouldn't feel like you have some bar to reach for. Just be yourself, that's all anyone really wants.
Amen, sister. I hear you. I feel that all the time. The pressure to entertain. It's horrible, isn't it? :) You entertain me, so that's good. :)
rofl! I feel your pain. Luckily, my social networking time is so limited that I don't have time to be witty, so I don't worry too much about it.
Becca @ The Bookshelf Muse
Most definitely. But then I feel that pressure to be witty most of the time. Unfortunately I'm a slow wit. Someone who's witty long after the moment. ;)
I can be funny when I'm talking to someone in real life, but coming up with funny stuff online still escapes me. So yeah, it's definitely not my talent.
In a word, YES.
at least hooky. Maybe not always witty, but snarky, sharp, you know. Eye-catching. And I'm sort of a dork, actually.
sigh. It's so exhausting to be fabulous all the time. :D LOL!!! *snort*
see? I just cracked myself up.
Witty? No, cause I'm not at all. Just be your sweet self--that's what we love:)
And I don't care much for twitter either. I guess I need more words. Wait--was that witty?? (;)
Yes, I do feel this way! But I've long since given up trying to be witty. If it comes, it comes; if not, oh well. :) But that lingering desire is still there.
I do feel pressured as well, but I just figured if I just be myself, then hopefully people will like me anyway. I know I'm a dork and I don't care if other people know it too! :D
I am not going to comment because I have nothing witty to say.
(I didn't read all the comments. I bet somebody already said that.)
Yes, it happens to me, and sometimes I just don't comment because I have nothing to say.
It does happen. LOTS. At least I know I'm not alone in this. What a super post, Patti. <3
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