Overly Positive

In terms of this blog, I’m under no illusions of grandeur here on this fine, fine Monday. The blog I write has a very modest, small following, with a couple hundred Twitter followers to my name and just shy of 100 subscribers. It’s nice to know that optimism is at least mildly read. It’s why for many posts I do a bit of research, try to come up with some witty repartee, and generally try not to ramble on so long that your eyes bleed from the wall of text.

But sometimes, simple is best. That’s why thanks to one Jess Folsom, I got hooked onto a new blog called Hyperbole and a Half, crafted by Allie Brosh. The whimsical, somewhat simple content of Allie’s writing is enhanced by Paint drawings that are impressive in their message yet simple in their presentation. The Mission Statement of the blog mentions only a like of “velociraptors, pirates, sharks and boats” as a requirement to liking her writing, and in the face of so many blogs, even mine, that include lofty and somewhat philosophical statements of intent, this one is humorous and a breath of fresh air.

It’s funny how sometimes when you write about how you feel naturally, you can be as meaningful and entertaining as some of the most professionally written (and by professionally I mean “for the moneys”) articles. Allie uses a blend of hilarious visual aids, a writing style that is conversational, and a bit of randomness that charms people – and entries like “The Alot is Better Than you at Everything” show this off pretty well. Part of building a readership and writing is trying to find a way to connect with people who read, and sometimes, when it comes down to it, simple is best.

I’ve always been more of a wall of text writer than I have been a natural one, and it’s only now that I have come to realize that writing how you feel is a lot easier than writing to an audience with a goal you’re only vaguely aware of. It’s nice to know that in an online world full of crazy serious business mission statements and objectives that there are still folks out there who write (and in Allie’s case, draw) for fun and sincerely enjoy it. I know I do when I write, and I hope that most other fellow bloggers out there do so as well.