Hipstercrite: Let's Take Bets on How Well I'll Handle Encouraged Criticism

Monday, June 07, 2010

Let's Take Bets on How Well I'll Handle Encouraged Criticism

"My name is Lauren.

I have a New York driver's license, a Los Angeles mailing address, and a Austin physical address.
I have no idea what I'm doing."

I have no idea what I'm doing.
Sounds about right.

It has been little over a year since Hipstercrite took form and wobbled it's way through the blogging world. Though I'm proud of how far she's gotten, I can't help but feel she has been equally clueless in her quest as her writer.

So with that being said, I'd love to hear your feedback.
What subject matter do you enjoy seeing the most? The least?
Do you like seeing pictures of me pretending not to be that interested in taking pics of myself? Or do you absolutely despise it?
Do you like funny stories? Serious stories? Personal? Impersonal?
Would you like a more themed blog such as specifically dealing with music, movies, dating, Austin, or general twenty-something blah blah blahing?

Tell me what keeps you coming back. Tell me what posts make you scrunch up your face and go, "Well, she seems like an asshole." Tell me your deepest desires. Or save that for another time.

The last time I asked for criticism, I personally threatened all of you but you still bestowed me with flowery praise. I want none of it! This time I will send Sam Elliot after your ass.

26 Comments:

At 10:20 AM, rae said...: I most enjoy when you make fun of people (including yourself). I least enjoy long stories.
At 10:32 AM, IT (aka Ivan Toblog) said...: I keep coming back just to see what's next. I like variety. That said, some of your stuff is boring, but that's on me.
At 11:24 AM, Sophie Neutron said...: Please don't make Hipstercrite about something specific. I would probably, gradually, stop reading it if it were.

I know that probably didn't help

But

...you rock!
At 12:09 PM, -Your Friendly Neighborhood Dentonista said...: I'm not sure what I could like more than that picture of Sam Elliott.
Sweet Jesus!
He's older than my mother and he's still on my 'List of 5'.
Thank YOU.
At 12:27 PM, hmla2599 said...: I don't like when you, or any blogger, writes about topics.

I think you know what I mean. You don't do it often. I'm not going to search for examples on your blog, but I'll give some general examples.

--Why it sucks to date as a twenty-something
--Dating men with father issues
--100 dates in 100 days
--Usually the "writing about topics" has to do with dating, or self-promotion, or how-to do something

I like when you write narrative stories with fictional qualities. I like when you write about run down hotels and insecurity and not knowing what the fuck you're doing. I like when you'rr honest and still follow an arc.

There are enough goddamned theme blogs, that seem to talk for the sake of talking about stuff. They are usually more popular than the ones that have something to say.

You're a good writer. Just write.

Basically, my criticism is that you write better when you don't let your audience get to you.

Kind of a catch-22, but whatever.

Part of the struggle is deciding who you care about. Is it everyone? Is it people in your age range? Is is intelligent people in your age range?

A writer that I like told me I will write someone's favorite book. It might just be one persons, but it will be their absolute favorite, the one they memorize. I got to thinking that's more important than a million people reading the book en masse. Having something to say about it, an opinion. Then discarding it.

I'm writing for that one person. I just don't know who that person is.

Keep going.
At 1:10 PM, KeLLy aNN said...: Seems to Me, that You are on the right GrOOve Train...
At 1:13 PM, bard said...: Great advice Hannah.

I realized a long time ago that there are formulas for creating a popular blog, and that I wasn't interested in following them. While I occasionally alter my writing based on how it may be perceived by my audience, I very much write for myself. There are one or two followers who seem to deeply appreciate it, and they inspire me to continue when I feel like quitting. But for me the fact that anybody reads it at all is just a bonus! Write for yourself, and write for that one person.

Lauren, you're a fantastic writer. Your insights are stellar, your wit is astounding, and your sense of humor is impeccable. You're intelligent and perceptive, and are mature beyond your years. You're best when you write about yourself -- your world, your thoughts, your hopes, and your fears.

Ah shit. I was supposed to be all mean and stuff, right?

P.S. Love the pics, too.
At 1:13 PM, Randall Nichols said...: I don't think you should pigeon-hole yourself to one particular theme. I think a writer writing is all the theme you need, and while you'd probably get a lot more people telling you to do blogs like this, or blogs like that, I can't imagine you'd be as happy with this space if there became a long list of things that couldn't go here.

My favorite stuff of yours is the stuff where you just write -- open-ended, or more self-contained, fictional story-like posts. I haven't been reading your blog for the whole year it's been up, and I don't know you personally, so for me, when you do something semi-autobiographical, or completely autobiographical, or completely fictional, I have no gage for what is what in those particular categories, which I think is good. It's something that makes your blog more like picking up a book of short stories, because I know there are parts of you, of your experiences in the things you write, but I don't necessarily what's fact and what's fiction, and while I personally may have a desire to, I don't need to know in order to enjoy what I'm reading.

I mean, I think if you're really desperate for a theme, for one way for this blog to be - and I don't think you should be - I don't know that you should be asking what works and what doesn't, I think you just need to post, and post, and eventually an identity for your blog will reveal itself. Writing is pretty much the same way, you'll wind up as x writer, or y writer, because we all have a hobby horses, and they show up in the work we do whether we really want them to or not.

So not to be uber-supportive and not critical enough, but I think your best bet is to just keep doing what you do, and let things happen naturally.

Personal note time. I find your writing compelling, and I keep coming back for more, even when what you write isn't necessarily to my taste [mostly because I think we're two entirely different people with different outlooks on things], because what you do, there's an artistry to it. You're a good writer, so just keep writing.

I just want to see you keep going, and I'm worried if there's suddenly something you think everyone hates and doesn't want, that's going to be when you stop -- because what you want, you don't think anyone cares about. And that can really drag you down to inaction. And nobody wants that.
At 1:16 PM, April said...: Hmmm, well, I think Hannah Miet just about summed it all up. I like the open and honest posts. I like the personal, reminiscent stories.

Basically, I like to live vicariously through your blog because once upon a time I had dreams of moving to Austin. Once upon a time I had dreams of being the kind of person who gets to experience a bunch of unique shit and write about it.

And I love knowing that there are other drifters and ne'er-do-wells and lackadaisical people who procrastinate life out in the world (just like me!).

Plus, I think you might be the only other person I've come across (so far) in the "blogging world" who has also, quite possibly, experienced a day like this... I think I lost an earring too
I like to hear those types of stories.
At 1:21 PM, Randall Nichols said...: Sorry, I should learn to refresh the page every now and then. Hannah more or less said what I was trying to, far more artfully.

My advice is to go with hers.
At 1:31 PM, Unknown said...: Variety and random, surprising stories fictional or not are much more interesting than deep exploration of one topic.
At 1:32 PM, Eternal Worrier said...: Just keep your blog as it is. Random stuff / photos, I love it.
At 2:08 PM, Jess said...: What I like about you and your blog is that you keep it REAL...you aren't afraid to express fear, uncertainty, embarrassment...

That is what makes a good blog, not someone trying to put on a fake front for the world to see. I love your blog, keep writing!

Jess
At 2:44 PM, Hipstercrite said...: @Rae- I agree with you on the long stories. Will definitely keep that in mind in the future. Thank you!

@IT- I bore myself all the time, so the fact that you find my stuff boring some of the time is a win-win for me!

@Sophie Neutron- Thank you! OK...you seem to have the sentiment of others that commented so I'll stick with that!

@Your Friendly Neighborhood Dentonista- I found that this morning and was like, "HOLY SHIT!"

@Hannah- Well shit. I seriously think we're twins that may have been separated at birth. All your advice is PERFECT and I will definitely think of from now on. THANK YOU!

@Kelly Ann- Ha. Thanks!

@Bard- I'll take the good stuff too! ;) You and Hannah hit the nose on the head in regards to writing for yourself. Thank you for taking the time to write me

@Randall-Good God! Between you and Bard and Hannah...I'm getting choke up here. Thank you for your honest feedback.

@One Blonde Girl- I sing Talking Heads' "Once in a Lifetime" all the time. Know the lyrics to that??

@Russ- I'm convinced that variety is the way to go now!

@The Eternal Worrier- Thank you for your constant support!

@Jess- Thank you! I try to keep it real, but sometimes I wonder if it can be too real. Like narcissistic real...
At 2:45 PM, Hipstercrite said...: This comment has been removed by the author.
At 3:53 PM, Unknown said...: I'm in love with this comment thread and everyone who participated in it.
At 6:22 PM, Big Mark 243 said...: I am with Birkley... I am too new a follower to have an opinion, but since I found your blog through one of my fave's, Hannah's journal, I will support her view and leave it at that!

I think your journal is wonderful, btw...
At 8:20 AM, Angie said...: I think what you've got going is great. I have to say, there's nothing wrong with a themed blog as people have suggested, but I'm biased because that's where I'm coming from. I enjoy things that have picked a niche, a gimmick, what have you.

If you'd like this to be random thoughts and stories about your life, fact and fiction, then so be it! That is your niche and you're great at it.
At 11:15 AM, Matt said...: Thumbs up to: your pictures (esp the ones of you posing with children mana)kins; stories about famous people; stories about your family, specifically your dad. I don't have as much interest in the music/fashion/Austin-centric stuff, but it's all good. Keep up the good work!
At 1:26 PM, Hipstercrite said...: @Birkley3030- Me too!!!!

@Big Mark 243- Thank you for coming by! Hannah is one of my all-time faves too!

@Angie- You guys have always been there and for that I am so appreciative. Thank you thank you thank you!

@Skelly- I need some more mannequin baby pics in my life!
At 5:04 PM, Johana Hill said...: I like most of your personal posts. My favorite one is the one where you wrote about your grandma.

Honestly? I like everything you write. It's as simple as that. I don't comment often but I read your posts...;p
At 12:02 AM, Guise Faux said...: Only been reading since stumbling across it during this year's SXSW, but...

Ditto Hannah's advice, however... your relationshit anecdotes neatly avoid being as self-absorbed as Stephanie Klein's "Greek Tragedy" (nothing wrong with that - for her - but it's sooo... 2005).

Keep that stuff sparing and relevant to your wry observations on the bits of pop culture that interest you and you'll do fine.

I'm way too old to be reading this blog, but you crack me the hell up. I don't have much patience for most blogs but you're a good read. I get a kick out of your pokes at Austin. I love the place and ridicule it for the same reason, and have for too many years.
At 10:56 AM, her said...: i think your blog is fine as is - i think as long as you're writing it for yourself rather to get/keep followers then it's fine. you can kind of tell when a person gets a little desperate so as long as you stay away from that i'll keep reading =) also i don't like when people write about cupcakes. i don't know why. i don't think you have though?
At 2:45 AM, Patricia ~ The Naked Writer said...: Hey, i love that you vary it up all the time...it makes things interesting and fresh!
I really really love your post about the babies and taking pics with a dummy baby was too freaking cool! it's ingenious ideas like that that keep me coming back for more. you are super creative and that's what i like most about you...toodles! :o)
At 1:22 AM, Benny said...: Confession: the way you reveal a lot about yourself through odes to pop culture figures has had a big influence on me.

So yeah. That's what I associate the most with your "brand." Obviously, I like that you do more than just that.

I don't see you ever getting too "topicy" except for *maybe* when you do entries on "How to do X like a hipster." Although I certainly do not mind those every once and again.

The other distinctive thing of yours that I like is the way you include pictures, both of yourself and other people. It never gets annoying or tacky and I wish I could tell you why.

It's interesting to see people say "I like blogs that aren't really about anything." I more or less learned from reading yours that personal blogs are so personal by nature that you have to find some way to make it be "about" something other than yourself. I don't think I'd ever have gotten comfortable in my voice if I hadn't attempted to narrow it down in some way (believe it or not, it took some effort to get it as focused as it is).
At 4:47 PM, Benny said...: And I meant to include at the end that I credit you with my realization that "personal blogs are so personal by nature that you have to find some way to make it be "about" something other than yourself."

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Monday, June 07, 2010

Let's Take Bets on How Well I'll Handle Encouraged Criticism

26 Comments:

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