My last few blog posts were written on my phone, rather than on my computer, since I’m not bringing a computer with me on the trail. This matters, contextually, because writing on a computer is a lot easier to edit, and think about and visually see the entirety of the post. I think I spent more time on my posts when I wrote on a computer, thinking about the flow, the overall points of the posts, thoroughly checking and rechecking the wording, reading and re-reading, wondering how I would interpret my own words if I were someone else and then editing again. I treated those posts like a thesis, needing to have a purpose and point to the posts, leaving my audience with a very clear summary.
The last few posts I have written on my phone feel far less structured. At first, I thought this was a bad thing. What if my posts sound like I’m just rambling, there is no purpose, no clear point I’m trying to make? It occurred to me today, that not every post needs to have a purpose, needs to be helpful to my audience in some regard. I can just write the things I observe in the world from the lens that I view them. That is perhaps the actual purpose of a blog anyway.
I love writing, I always have. Unfortunately most of the links on my blog bio of published works link to the now defunct Southcoast247.com which was purchased by a news conglomerate and was then left to die. I used to write about music, fashion, local events. I really liked it. A few years ago I started writing a book (non-fiction) about food fortification and met with a writing coach/editor who told me that my writing style had *it*. I was excited. But then I was laid off from my job and decided to hike the PCT.
I still want to write the book someday. Someday, in the same way that I was someday going to hike the PCT, and now I actually am. I will write my book, but for now, this blog can serve as my own training program for when that time comes.
Because what if this blog isn’t really for you, my dear audience and gentle readers? Perhaps it’s really for me, and I am just inviting you along for the ride, giving you a small glimpse into my world, from my lens.
Please enjoy my new and possibly improved blog that has no point. And stay tuned for my book, someday.
Love, Amelia
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