Wednesday, March 9, 2011

How to write an "About Me" page and not crack under the pressure... this is not a how to - this is a serious question!

I have been trying to work on an "about me" page, but there is so much pressure! I read on a blog once that the page should be funny, it should not tell your whole life, it should be relevant. Here's my problem: I think I'm a lot funnier than I actually am. I think everything in my life is relevant. And I think my life story is extremely interesting and important. But deep down I know none of that is true. Or maybe it is? I think very highly of myself.
So what do I say? I am getting flashbacks of writing "story of me" essays for new classes in high school. For some reason at least three of my high school teachers had us write that essay. And I got so sick of it. So I would write stories instead, thinking this story will tell a lot more about me, and be a lot more interesting, than a "My name is Annie, I am the fifth of eight children, I grew up on a farm/inn." Oh my god I'm already bored.
So what do I say on my about me? Seriously, the pressure! I know when I find a new blog the first place I head is there "About" page. I want to know who they are, if they are funny, what they write about. If I am not amused by what I see there I most likely will not continue on to the rest of their blog. So I HAVE to make a good impression. And that scares the hell out of me. Why do I care so much?! I want you to love me. I never thought I would care whether or not people like to read me. But now, I want you to love me, to think of me, to be on the edge of your seat waiting for my next post. Mostly, because I love myself, I think I'm awesome. You should obviously think I'm awesome too.

My biggest problem is how to start? I have all these one liners - but no beginning. "I write a lot about Madic who is my head-like-a-bowling-ball best friend with whom I am moving to Austin because he convinced me that I can wear my cowgirl boots whenever I want and I never have to trudge through 3 feet of snow again!"
"Since I graduated from high school I have lived in the Dominican Republic, Martha's Vineyard, Rhode Island, London, Copenhagen, and now I live back with  my parents which is... well it is."
"In the past five years I have actively pursued these careers: preschool teacher, hospitality, nursing, nutrition, a doula, editing, and at this moment I would like to be a florist."
"My mother just smiles at me every time I tell her where I want to move or what I want to be when I grow up."

You're asleep aren't you?

Also - what the hell do I write about? My grandparents - my mother - Jesus - tequila - wine - my family - tequila - wine - London? basically whatever is on my mind (wine). But how do I explain that?

I can't take this pressure!

Maybe I should have a couple glasses of wine and then write it.
Or maybe Madic should write it?

7 comments:

  1. I don't know, personally I don't think you need a really specific "about me" page. I have three very separate blogs and not one of them has a "tell-all" about me page. My suggestion would be to check out some of the blogs you follow, see what they have and go from there :)

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  2. writing about me's is a real pain in d ass n i envy dose who r so gud at it! and your's is quite interesting but it wud seem a lot cooler if u jst edited some part of it.

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  3. Annie, I was already interested in learning about you when you mentioned that you were the 5th of 8 children and you grew up on a farm. I know that might not sound very unique to you, but I don't know anyone who has 7 siblings or grew up on a farm... and I live in a relatively small town.

    I found your blog from 20sb, and reading about your predicament has actually helped me to consider the same thing when writing my "about me" page (which I am also working on).

    Make a list of 10 things that you think have made you who you are. It could be as simple as that!

    I look forward to continuing to read your blog!

    Courtney

    www.americourt.blogspot.com

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  4. Haha, I think that you write beautifully and that you should just let out a stream of consciousness instead of "trying" too hard! Just let it all out and go with whatever pops into your head. Found you on 20sb and am following now. I think you're adorable! (in a non-offensive way- I hate when people call me cute and I guess I just did that to you, so, sorry).

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  5. Thanks for the input everyone! And thank you so much for subscribing to my blog! Seriously, you've doubled my readership :)

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  6. writing about you is a personal thing and it's okay! i love your blog girl :) i think you have some great things! i can't wait to read more! xo

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  7. I'm in the same boat...

    but I actually did enjoy what you've suggested so far! especially the part about where you've lived and where you're leaving now haha

    I'd say keep it relatively brief. 2-3 paragraphs is about the attention span of the average blog reader (per post, per page etc...)

    GOOD LUCK!!

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