Stuffjournalistswrite/wordpress.com
With all the bitching and flouncing and analyzing going on around here lately, I’ve thought about why I've stayed on OS for over a year.
This rings true for me. We all have different reasons, and it would be interesting if you shared.
In no particular order, I write on OS because:
I want to create an accessible record of my existence.
I like being associated with Salon.
It keeps me out of trouble.
Writing gigs that offer pay have dried up.
I need some drama in my life. (Thanks, Nikki.)
When people ask what I do all day I have something plausible to tell them that’s associated with Joan Walsh.
OS brings me loads of facebook friends.
It keeps my hands and mind occupied so I don’t eat all day.
It’s a great excuse to not exercise.
I have a day job to support me. (Sort of.)
I like getting ratings and comments.
I like giving ratings and comments.
I enjoy feeling that I am in a community at the click of a mouse.
I have gained virtual (sometimes morphed into real) friends.
I hope to gain more friends.
Friends here offer support.
I meet interesting people I never would have the chance to meet in real life.
It gives me exposure for possible paid assignments (long shot, agreed).
Ageism is minimal. I feel I am me, not older me.
I’ve learned to have empathy for troubled OS writers, without enabling them.
I can deal with the mememe memes and flame wars by concentrating on other posts.
At this point I don’t expect anything but a platform and don't define myself by the editors, so I’m often pleasantly surprised.
I think of OS more as a friend with benefits than a jilting lover (thanks, Lonnie, for that analogy).
I can now pick up breath mint money from adsense.
I haven’t found a better fit for me on the web.
It’s a pretty safe place to rant and expose, and to get some wise feedback, good and bad.
I can read/post while watching junk TV, eating a turkey sandwich and talking on the phone.
I like seeing my writing published and read.
OS encourages me to write.
OS brings me to some great writing.
I need to write.
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Comments
(Still smiling here about you being in love.)
Just kidding and thanks for the logic.
Now...would somebody PLEASE explain to me what the heck a "Meta Post" is? I have read this "Meta" thing over and over in different blogs and I don't have a clue.
I've not worked up the courage to post a story myself. I'm still learning the lay of the land here so mostly, I lurk and read and write in my notebook.
But one day....
Ditto the Sentiment Rated.
wakingupslowly, I love what you write and I'm smiling about my new situation too. That's a perfect example of the community thing. Such great support, for good times and bad.
Nikki, I added something I should have thought of myself. Drama is sometimes a hidden need when things are going slowly.
Boa, and don't forget the old training of never using first person. Ha!
Jane, the fact that you were so inspired says it all.
Scanner, imho, some of the cover *is* the best. Some isn't.
ladyfarmerjed, I agree and should have thought of it. In fact, I mightadd that to my list.
Torman, a meta post is navel-gazing at an OS navel.
MaddieP, jump in. At first it may be slow going, but soon you'll be swimming laps. Send me a PM and I'll be there.
"I enjoy feeling that I am in a community at the click of a mouse."
Absolutely.
:-)
@Torman, here's some "meta" examples. "Meta-posts" are posts about posts/posting. "Meta-books" are books about books. "Meta-data" is data about data. Such a cool concept that there's a "word" for that.
I would add that there is a challenge that we face whenever we create a post. The challenge to come up with new stories and novel ways of telling one's stories and ideas, such as presenting photos if you have only been writing heretofore and not posting photos and, vice versa, if one has mostly been posting photos to suddenly write an essay for a change of pace.
The freedom to do anything is fun and exhilarating, especially when in the work a day world there is not the same latitude to express yourself.
Mostly, I appreciate that there are some warm, smart, thoughtful people like you here who enjoy doing things that I like to do; who write about those things, or who appreciate some of the things that I like to do and good somewhat serial conversations ensue.
I've become more of a commenter than a poster over the last year as I have come to better understand the frustrations of even the best writers. One thing is for certain, if I want to be inspired, I can find a reason to be here on Open Salon on just about any given day.
Thanks Lea.
@scanner--Ha! Brilliant!
Amen.
Best line ever!!
CK, one of the reasons I'm with my new boyfriend is that he doesn't mind me staring at the computer.
Cat, I get merlot. Oh well.
Trudge, I guess it's about all of us, one post at a time, take it or leave it. Part of what I like.
spotted, and it's mostly a creative, verbal, smart and kind community.
catnmus, now I know what meta really means.
designanator, yes we can push the envelope.
Susanne, you are one of the thinking commenters the site needs. And I don't feel ageism here. I've told people it's like being with my young gay friends who still flirt with me because they get me.
Pilgrim, yeah funny. But sometimes the cover does work -- not just for bringing in readers. I've found some great new writers through it. It gets bashed all the time and that gets old.
I do, however, avoid all the drama that pops up around here.
femme, Sunday has always seemed a reflective time of the week on here.
Luis, I can understand why you feel that so strongly.
Stella, yes, simple and true, at least for me.
Eric, it can work either way. That's what makes for the drama here.
The "flouncing" is boring, self-serving, and boring (did I already say boring)?
Flouncing and nasty, unfounded PM's detract from an otherwise wonderful experience on OS.
Bob, that can be said for all of us. The place changes bit by bit, person by person, but the core of needing to express is what keeps me.
desinanator, great point. We have already at least a half dozen people that I know of, who have book proposals either in the works or done, or even in a couple of cases, books published, because of exposure here. People are reading. (My "Why I'm Alone" post --see left column here-- got me a column offer, but the mag folded, of course.
lunchlady it's true I often feel more loved and understood here than in the real world. This is usually a soft place to land.
Right on Stellaa. Great analogy. I think low expectations are often the key to a satisfied life, here or in "reality."
Leonde, with mustard, on whole wheat.
Bill, yes. Just a bit.
Jane, really appreciate that. I understand your passion and I hope you can understand my logic.
Roger, yes you already said "boring," but that's ok cause it really is.
Karin, to continue Stellaa's analogy, you're still in the lusting stage. It cools down (thankfully, usually), and reality will hit later. But hang in. As I said, I think this place is a keeper.
I.L., Stim thanks for the agreement. It's more interesting than almost anywhere else I've hung out. Still.
We are lucky to have you.
jimmy, I have a feeling you have learned to put things is perspective. So glad you're here.
You too, Chuck. You write, you comment, you add so much to the site. Like jimmy and so many others, you offer writing I otherwise never would have been privileged to find, and I find out more about surviving difficult times. Life is both horrible and beautiful. I understand that more than ever because of reading here.
Ken, I think the word silly is a great one. This place is often amazingly, wondrously, appropriately silly. Silly is good.
Julie, you wrote a wise and wondeful piece on flouncing and the site. You get it.
Silk, sometimes naked, hung over, exhausted and dirty. Need I go on?
Ageism is minimal. I feel I am me, not older me.
When I read that, it made me smile and nod my head. I heartily concur.
Rated.
Unbreakable, many thanks. I find that aspect the best in many ways. A kind of ageless place.
It's a ridiculously great place. And you, Lea, of course help make it so.
God, I remember getting to know you through some of your travel essays and saying: "I aspire to make things happen in my life the way this amazing woman has made things happen in her life."
And then, y'know, being in touch with people who have had phenomenal success who like to stick around here, seeing writers grow and change...it's a very special place.
Even in the midst of that "difficult period" - was it only a week ago? It seems like months. - I was confident that we would pull through as individuals and as a community.
I am always happy to see you here, posting and commenting.
I had to drag a IRL friend here to make sure I wasn't crazy - she is now, of course, in the throes of OS love. At least I know I'm not crazy.
Thanks Lea - I'll see you for the next year, with gratitude and affection.
I am still trying to figure out how to get my old posts onto the side bar like you have. I still love your "Broccoli Obama" Post. It makes me laugh just to see it on the sidebar!
aim. what can I say to that, except that your last poem had me in tears. So very glad you are a long-termer.
Well, I shall simply add that I enjoy reading about your lives (corrected typo: livers) (seriously! Did I mention I've had two glasses of wine?), and first and foremost, my very special reason for loving OS is that I fell in love with an OSer. If I was not led to him, I would be living a life far less thrilling and fulfilling.
And with people like you, Lea, it is a joyful place for me to be. I like being able to help others through their pain, but again, my life is far more joyful and OS was that vehicle. If I can give back, I will.
Thanks, doll.
rated
I'm going to write -- whether it's to you, my grandmother, my cat or to myself. At least here, I always get a few answers. And there's nothing more satisfying than that. (My cat never writes back.)
I can't be here everyday, and don't write or comment as much as I'd like. But, I guess the upside is, I miss all the bitching and flouncing and whatever. Happily clueless about the latest smack down.
I always enjoy your posts Lea, and I'm glad you're a part of the OS community.
sweetfeet, owl and micalpeace, glad you like the positivity.
Outside Myself, well you certainly have another reason to be glad you're here! Yours and smithery's OS love story may just be the best, most positive reason of any of ours.
I really liked the picture this evoked: "I can read/post while watching junk TV, eating a turkey sandwich and talking on the phone." I always picture you in an Audrey Hepburn-esque short sleeved black turtleneck and slim black pants sitting on a funky bed with your legs curled under you, posting OS posts from your laptop computer, a glass of red wine at the bedside table.
OS brings me to some great writing.
But I think in the reverse order. thanks for this. Thanks for some "positives" this weekend. R
Sandra, I don't want to shatter your dream but the only thing in that glamorous picture I can relate to is the funky bed. Oh and maybe the pants.
Same here!! ~nodding~ ~:)
But two other things: you, personally, come thru in this, in the balance of modest vanity and un-elaborate self-deprecation. And I recognize you here as one of the Special OS Group: those who write well, reflect, have fun, choose empathy (selectively) and fan no flames. My favorites, that is.
On that note, O'Really, take a cold shower!
Greg, same to you my friend.
glad you are going to stick around. me, too. and you are one of the virtual friends i am most fond of.
Life here is fantafreakintabulousity, reason enough por moi!
RRR
Patrick, commenters like you are as important here as those who post. Thank you for --as usual --the great comment!
Mary, I have come to respect you more and more the longer I read you. You have an open mind and an open heart. So glad you are here!
Thanks!
"I want to create an accessible record of my existence," is extraordinarily insightful. This statement should be taken very seriously. That's exactly how I feel about blogging. I'd rate this post just for #1 on the list. The remainder is icing on the cake. Every blogger should read this upon joining OS.
I love her writing.
I love to see places I've never been to (and probably won't get to) through her eyes.
I love the incredible wealth of stories she has.
I still haven't met her in person (but it's on my to-do list).
Rated. With a smile. :-D
65, and what is it that you don't agree with?
Gwen, yes, having an immediate, responsive audience is a joy.
Caroline and Sheep, thank you.
Hawley, appropriate quote. Wish you were writing here more!
Oh Bill, you are such a dear. (Next time you're in Fort Lauderdale, give me a call!
Steve, there's a reason that I placed that one first. How lucky we are to all have a place to put our story.
http://open.salon.com/blog/chicago_guy/2009/11/16/futile_stupid_gestures_for_the_unemployed/comment
And thanks for inspiring me to do my own belated love letter to OS -- you missed my comment over there that this post of yours was my inspiration. I went straight to the keyboard after reading this post -- so you actually inspire writing! You inspired a few others, too, from what I saw in the feed afterward. But then we expect no less from you....
There ain't a TV daily Drone who mopes.
Drones are wolfhounds who smoke dope.
Pain pills Ox -E- Con-ton Rush Limbaugh-
Perpetual fox hounds ain't screeching hates.
If they stray here to ruin and drone:` I moan.
The DoJ 'ought' to Warn How Fowl 'Um Are!
Newcomer may think they came to make films?
They act like they snuck out of a Baptist Musk?
P.U. pet snail,
Oy, 3- Stooges?
a day I pop offs,
a dirty jock itch!
`
The Feds 'ought' to teach ethics 101! Take foul mouths behind Lawyers solid bricks sitting-house? Pew. Paddle. Pick a Willow stick. Peach? Broom? Powder Puff? Pew means where DoJ's Lawyers hold double-seater hicks:`
Ethics Committee (closed door) board meeting. Pew.
Scribes and scrounge law firms lobby in a outhouse.
Just sometimes.
We want Justice.
Gimme the truth.
Boardroom get fussy!
Fussy? Stinky ouches!
Grouches? Snub faces!
Just when they get a oak-acorn wood splinters! O thick skulls! Use?
What Heals the spewers?
Bee Balm utter ointment!
Google Bee Balm. A- okay.
Lea Lane popped off today.
I Hope someone will pops in.
I Hope they smell like roses.
I Hope we No see naked foe!
Nerds knock on doors nude.
Shiftless paid hacks stinkers!
Not you Lea Lane. Ya smells!
Lea Lane smell? A lilac bloom.
Your reasons are those I can understand and I identify with most of them, except the professional writing part because I don't post for that. Although I am accumulating my posts on faith for a possible primer for liberal Christians and have some interest in that project from a publisher. But if that never happens that is fine with me too.
I am simply glad that you are here and am especially glad that I can call you my friend. I am not much for distinguishing between internet and "real" friends. I have no doubt at all that if I said I needed you to listen to some troubles I have you would be there for me as long as I needed you to be. That, to me, is a friend. And you know I would do the same for you.
Monte
Lorraine, that's probably the main reason for most of us.
Sally, happily you're one of the morphed!
Berry, yes we all have faves and they alone are enough to stay here.
Oh Silk, you should see me now. And thank you for the nice words. Your post on this topic was so original and wonderfully written --as all your stuff is. (And did you see where Double X folded-- that explains that.)
Art, according to you I smell like a lilac bloom and according to Sandra I sit around in chic black like Audrey Hepburn. I shall leave those images intact, even if they aren't true.
Monte, you are one of the treasures of this site and one of the reasons I stay.
bstrangely, it took me a long time to realize that enabling doesn't help someone in trouble. Empathy and often, intervention, do.
Well not because I have been a member very long (2 days), but because you have summed up, what I can look forward to!
Cheers!
rated~
I am here because I want to see if I am really able to write poems. Make people move. And if I am not that great of a poet I think I am, then OS helps me forcefully shove my work in public's eyes. because here, I make the headline. :)
"I’ve learned to have empathy for troubled OS writers, but not enable them."
This semi-literate hash additionally recommends itself by its ridiculous condescension.
"...but not enable them."
She probably meant "without enabling them," if she meant anything, but by substituting "troubled" for any other description that might have made sense, like "inept," or "annoying," and just plain "bad," Lea Lane exposes the total nullity of her non-idea.
Why wouldn't you want to "enable" a troubled person, writer or not? Kafka was "troubled." Proust was "troubled." Half the students in any urban writing class are "troubled."
Lea Lane empathizes, but avoids enabling the "troubled." Why?
Just to fill out her silly essay.
And it's an ego boost to get on the home page ...
E.S.P., and Ollie's daughter, welcome and I'm sure you'll find your own reasons, as well very soon!
Gary, now THAT is a compliment. I wish.
Buffy, yes the human condition in all its layers is exposed here and we learn about things we may have never heard of before. I have grown as a person from that.
Jacob, I appreciate your comment. Another reason this site is so excellent is that there is a rigor and a call-out when something doesn't ring true. I think that you are right about my inelegant word construction. I came from a family where my mother enabled my father to gamble away our savings. The word "enabling" as I define it is helping someone continue behavior that is troubling. I don't want to do that. But I don't think the list is "silly." It came from my heart and seemed to strike a nerve with others.
Steven, you know I'm a big fan who feels you write superbly but yes you can get some real critiques from some of the excellent writer/friends here. And yes, you can get an ego boost -- for example from ratings like these. Great additions of our "friend with benefits" site.
Sudesh, yes you can test and find out lots about yourself in a community of other writers who are eager to support you. When it is really good, it usually gets noticed. (Not so much at first, usually.)
There are some other wonderful poets here. PM me and I'll tell you some.
http://open.salon.com/blog/ralph_tingey/2009/06/29/why_im_on_opensalon
I haven't been around much - some other non-revenue clients (extended family, my kids, laundry) have been taking most of my time - but it is good to be reminded of why this is a special community.
Lisa
and at the risk of sounding like an ass-kisser, you're one of the reasons i stay, too. i have found you really supportive to me and lots of other people--in a way that feels authentic.
you are also a breath of fresh air in many muddled comment threads.
and i loved meeting you in person. i still relish that night. you were nice to me when i was nervous. i won't forget that.
prolly not, and someone prolly already tried. (sorry, i couldn't make it through all of them.)
have you tried deleting the comment where it started and asking that person to repost?
And can't stand adsense, so I'll pass on that one.
Lea, I hope you are well and in love and bathing in the glory of your honesty.
So glad you like my FWB analogy Lea, and I'm so glad you stay here, too!
Your most welcome, Frank.
Ralph, will get over to your post after this.
Lisa, have missed you. Come back more when you find the time.
screamin, but you are a *real* rock star!
BOKO, too late for me on the junk tv. I find its junkiness perfect for keeping in the background without having to concentrate while I read and write away. Otherwise the silence would be deafening for me.
Dave (Mr Jeopardy) the DCQ will always be available to you. And it was a pleasure meeting you.
And thanks for the advice on the italics. I didn't know what that was. Right now it is so late in the game I'll just let it go, but will remember for next time.
Beth, yes it did hit a nerve. And I'm all three (including the bathing).
Lonnie, always look forward to what you write. Glad you stick around, even if it isn't that often.
It would be better if they'd come up with a system like Gather.com, where you get points (not cash) that you can use at sponsoring advertisers. It's nice to get a $20 Borders Books coupon every couple of months.