Janet Steen examines the question “Have Personal Essays Gotten Too Personal?” in a quest to determine what is the truth and beauty of the personal essay. In her article she points out the shift of the personal essay has transformed with the evolution of blogging. Steen states “Blogs were an inevitable stage, and a useful one, but often they were narcissistic and ranty and you, the reader, had to sift through. A list of gripes does not necessarily make an essay, but a well-crafted, meaningful list of gripes might.”
It is these well meaningful list of gripes that many of us sift through to discover the blogs that are gems and acknowledge that there is a truth to their writing. It provides meaning and sustenance in our daily lives.
One of the many diamonds in the rough contribute each day whether it is a ranty post about poor customer service, an inspirational post about a walk in the park, the political manifesto that your never thought of, or a humourous look at motherhood. All of these have helped to shape and transform our world and bring people one step closer together within the global community.
Janet Steen points out “A great essay takes some little leap out of the ordinary, it has alchemy to it, it has magic.” It’s when you discover that hidden gem which makes blogging more interesting and exciting! It is underneath that gem which holds a truth of what is beautiful and imperfectly human.
I have seen and read comments on occasion that suggest every Tom, Dick, and Harry seem to have a blog these days. It maybe true but the rubbish usually fades into the sunset while many bloggers seek to find their own truth through the words of their own blogs. They seek out to be better, to express themselves with eloquence, and shine on their own page.
Seth Godin, points out in his short novel The Dip “The people who are the best in the world specialize at getting really good at the questions they don’t know.” So perhaps as many bloggers throw in the towel there are many bloggers out there attempting to be the best by expanding their growth as writers and taking the time to seek out the truth.
It is by pushing ourselves to the limits that we create new expressive thoughts in personal essays. As the world evolves, technology pushes us too new limits, our thoughts, and dialog will change. It is our role as bloggers to break the rules and seek the limits of discovering the truth through our own creative work. It is up to us to determine what is good and thumb our nose at the rigid critics who are unwilling to change with the times.
Do you attempt to take a leap out of the ordinary with your blogging?
