I remember years ago when I started as a blogger (which is weird for me to even write because I never set out to be a “blogger”). I simply planned to have a blog. In fact, I didn’t even know being a “blogger” was a thing.
I was willingly dragged to a one day Bloggy Boot Camp where the lightbulb unexpectedly went off. I found people. I found community. And most importantly, I found that this blogging thing is a THING.
I spent the next few months getting dragged into a last minute trip to BlogHer and soaking in everything I could learn about the world of blogging. And then I went to my first Type-A conference shortly thereafter.
By this point, I felt pretty well-versed in the basics of blogging. I was growing my presence on Twitter. I had a Facebook fan page. And I moved my little templated Blogger blog to a self-hosted Wordpress site all by myself. I thought I got it.
But at Type-A, I remember being thrown for a loop. During one of the sessions, I sat next to someone who looked vaguely familiar. Perhaps I had heard of her or seen her on Twitter, or maybe I just recognized the name on her badge. In any case, I introduced myself and asked about her blog.
“Oh, I’m a humor blogger,” she said.
That’s odd, I thought. Can you just declare yourself funny? Can you just say you write humorous things? Isn’t that incredibly subjective? Shouldn’t someone else decide if you’re funny or not?
But I thought about it some more. And I suppose it’s no different than a comedian. You get up on stage, try out your humor, and if people laugh, you’re generally invited back. And when people ask what your profession is, you don’t say a joke teller. You say a comedian. A maker of comedy. You like to make people laugh.
Don’t we all?
I started theater at a fairly young age. (Don’t think Dance Moms or Toddlers & Tiaras. I was strictly a public school performer). I enjoyed becoming different characters but more than anything, I think I really enjoyed the attention.
Some things never change.
But the thrill of performing really hit me when I got older and had a chance to perform some more challenging pieces. When I said a funny line in rehearsal, you would imagine people were laughing. It wasn’t until performed in front of a live audience and had them laugh at exactly the right moment that I felt the thrill of connecting with that audience.
Blogging is different, though. I put something out there and sometimes it’s like a fart in the wind. It disappears without a trace. Other times, I breathe through the keyboard and people love it. I can’t explain it nor predict. I just know that I’m always delighted when somebody likes something I’ve written.
And that brings me to the point of this post.
I am being honored as one of BlogHer’s Voices of the Year for 2013. But wait, it gets better.
It’s in the Humor category.
And there’s even more.
I was chosen to read my piece in front of the WHOLE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM! I mean, all of the attendees of BlogHer 13.
So apparently, some people think I’m funny. Sometimes I think I’m funny. I actually have a blog category called Humor (although after reading some of them, I question my categorization skills). But now the pressure is on. The pressure to be funny.
In less than a month, I’ll be on stage reading my piece and just hoping the audience laughs in the right spots.
If you’re going to BlogHer this month and plan to attend the VOTY Community Keynote, let me know. I’ll gladly pay you a dollar to laugh throughout the whole thing just to make sure I’m covered.
21 comments
Congrats to you! That’s so exciting. I can’t wait to see your video. 🙂
I went to BBC last year and asked MamaKat something about how you know to call yourself a humor blogger. Because when I think of humor blogger I think of Wendi Aarons, Motherhood in NYC, MamaKat, etc. She told me that if you in any way poke fun of anything or yourself, you should call yourself a humor blogger. I still don’t know if I am one, but I like to think someone’s laughing out there.
That’s great that you asked that. Like you, I feel like a humor blogger has to be funny ALL the time. Too much pressure for me. Especially when you look at the likes of Wendi Aarons and the Bloggess. I can’t even aspire to that level of funny.
No dollar needed 🙂 I’ll be there and am so excited to see you read! (and hoping to meet you, too!)
Thank you. And CONGRATULATIONS for being a fellow VOTY!!! Loved your post!
I found you hilarious live in person. I am so thrilled that you have been chosen to read at VOTY. I read the first year (when there wasn’t much competition since no one knew how cool it would be) and it was a fabulous experience. I wish I could be there to see you, but I know you will do great. Have some of your friends up front. Look at the audience. Take your time. Pause. You’ll rock it. Break a leg.
Thanks, Suebob. I’ll just take the Marcia Brady approach and picture the audience in their underwear.
Fadra, I saw your name on the list and I was thrilled – I can’t wait to hear your presentation!
Thank you, thank you! But that only makes me feel more nervous!
I’m thrilled for you! SO deserved – can’t wait to hear you 🙂 xo
Thanks, Danielle. NERVOUS!!
Woohoo!!! I think your funny!!! 🙂
That’s all that really matters 🙂
Congrats on the VOTY! You ARE funny.
I wish I could go to BlogHer – I could use the cash.
Congrats again, and enjoy your time in the spotlight! You deserve it!
Have you been to any blogging conferences? Your blog is awesome and it opens you up to a whole new world!
I haven’t, and couldn’t make it to BlogHer this year. But my eyes are always open for conferences that fit into my calendar! Thanks for the kind words.
SO exciting!!! Can’t wait to hear you!!!!!
Oh, thank you!!!
I’ll laugh at you for free. 😉 And you know I have no shame, so if other people are being poopy-heads and not laughing, I’ll laugh EXTRA loud. I’m so proud of you, and I can’t wait to hear you read!!
I know you’ll laugh at me. I’m just not sure if it will be at the appropriate times 😉
You go girl … isn’t it nice to know you are balanced 😉
I try. That’s all we can do, right?