Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Does Humor Have a Place in Fashion Blogging?

You guys, I am SO excited to be guest posting for Marion! My name is Molly and I blog over at still being [molly] - my blog is a fashion and lifestyle blog so I share my outfits, bits and pieces of my life, recipes and DIYs I love... pretty much you name it.

  still being molly: Oasap Collarless Leather Jacket, JCrew Shorts, sheer OVI fuschia blouse, glitter flats, and pink clutch

Marion is one of my absolute FAVORITE bloggers - she's hilarious, she has amazing style, and she's SO sweet. So I was floored when she asked me to share a little something with y'all today. I am SO EXCITED to "meet" her little baby! Can we all agree that he is going to be one stylish baby?

Amiright?! Anyway. I'm here to share a little bit about HUMOR in blogging. What? I know. You know, one of the things I love about Marion is how hilarious she is. And while I don't "set out" to be hilarious in my writing (you know, it just comes naturally) there are some things that I think really "help" if you're wanting to make people laugh when you write.

 While I have a history and a background in comedy (I've performed sketch and improvisational comedy for over 10 years) you don't have to be a trained comedian to make people laugh. Heck, some of the funniest people I know have never set foot on a stage, let alone take any sort of "funny class." The biggest thing is: BE YOURSELF.

still being molly: jcrew classic black dress, white bubble necklace, black pumps, Oasap shoulder bag

 Even though I had a short stint as a high school English teacher and I am a little nutty about grammar and composition - the way I write on my blog would make the formal writer in me cringe. And I totally don't care. I write how I speak. Likes, and pauses, and ...s and, you knows, and you guys' and all. I'm a stream of consciousness writer. I want readers to get to know ME for ME. People tell me all the time when they meet me in person they say, "Oh, I totally HEAR you when I read your blog." That's AWESOME. I love that.

Now, I can pretty much guarantee 99% of people reading my blog don't care if they're reading a run-on, quasi-nonsensical sentence nor do they care about syntax or dipthongs. They want to read something they can connect with and/or something that will make them laugh. Okay, I had to find a way to throw the word dipthong in there. That word is hilarious. I don't care who you are. I mean, when have YOU, yourself, ever read a blog post and thought to yourself, "Oh dear, this blogger's syntax is abismal." Never. And if you have thought that, drink some prune juice and let that ish go. It's not that serious. But in all seriousness, it's your blog and you should feel free to write how and what you want. Now, you should check your spelling. For everyone's sake.

  Lace Dress in the Fall - Lace dress, black bubble necklace, leather Oasap Jacket, black tights, and black wedges

 The second thing I can tell you is to BE VULNERABLE. Deep down inside, ALL OF US are vulnerable. Share some of your embarrassing moments. Tell a funny story from your past. Speak from your heart and your readers will genuflect. Just kidding, they won't do that. But they will appreciate it. I mean, one time (like almost four years ago) I wrote an entire blog post about a time I "mom'ed" my Chipotle burrito. Yeah, I know. And then recently, I shared a story about how I beat up my teacher when I was in preschool. Yeah, I know. That also happened. And even though those stories are weird and quirky - they're all true and I'm being a little vulnerable putting myself out there like that.

 And lastly, imitation is the highest form of flattery, right? Well, think of some of the writers you love that make YOU laugh. Think about this: What about their writing makes you laugh? What is funny to you about their writing? And see if you can identify maybe a "special sauce," if you will, that makes you laugh when you read their stuff. And try some of those techniques out in your next blog post. I'm not saying plagiarize, I'm saying learn from others. Maybe they use hilarious words (dipthong, anyone?). Maybe it's their sentence structure. Maybe it's their personality shining through. Maybe it's because they use hilarious pictures of corgi puppies in every post. What? I don't know. But in all seriousness, try it. See if you can turn around and make it YOU... make it YOURS.

  still being molly: Fall Outfit - LOFT denim jacket, Madewell plaid shirt over a J.Crew chambray shirt and pearls

Anyway. I wish there was one thing that was like THE formula for being hilarious, but sadly, there's not. So until there is, I'll be over here in a corner drinking Diet Coke and eating Fun Dip while I write. You know, they keep me going. HA! Just kidding.

Thank you SO much Marion for having me today! Enjoy every moment with your little one. :) And be sure and stop by my blog sometime. I swear I'm only weird 96% of the time.

_____________________________________

Thanks so much Molly for sharing a little bit of your fabulous self with us today!  

I love Molly for several reasons...she just has one of those authentic personalities that shines through in her blog and she makes me smile.  She is the opposite of fake...which is surprisingly rare to find!

So what do YOU think...is there room for humor in fashion blogging? 
Or maybe it seems out of place to you?  

xo - Marion

20 comments:

Jhon kenyy said...

Wow what a fresh look..Outfits are amazing.

Women's fashion

still being [molly] said...

thank you so much for having me, marion <3 <3 you are wonderful!

DC in STYLE said...

Great post! Molly is a great blogger and I was very excited to see her here today!!!
Elena
http://dcinstyle.com

Katie said...

I LOVE Molly and her blog!

shopandtwirl.com said...

Thanks Marion for introducing me to a new (to me) blogger who seems truly genuine! I think there's absolutely room for humor in blogging and I personally prefer bloggers who just keep it real all the time!

Nicole Goodrich said...

Great post Molly! I love your blogging style a lot and am an avid follower of Marion - so happy to have found someone else I can look forward to reading every day!

Cheers!
Nicole

www.nicoleandtrentnyc.blogspot.com

Agnes Mayer said...

Yeah Molly. Nice to see you on Marion's blog. I love her blog and yours.

Agi:)

vodkainfusedlemonade.wordpress.com

Sandy a la Mode said...

i need to add more humor into my posts i think!!

xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode

J Ciriello said...

love molly and her humor and love marion's humor too. a beautiful woman is only MORE beautiful when she has a sense of humor and can laugh at herself...

Not Going Out Like That

Emily Beth said...

Thanks for sharing her amazing blog!

xo Emily Beth

Rachel Lynne said...

Yay! What a great post! :)

Marion Green said...

@ everyone - So happy that y'all love Molly! She is one of my favorite people on the internet...maybe because her genuine personality just shines through so well. :)

Thanks Molly for joining us today!! xoxo
Marion

Lauren said...

I love all of your outfits!! And yes humour does have a place in blogging!!!! Cute photos xo

TaraMixandMatch said...

Great tips Molly! Love her :)

Jen @ redsolesandredwine said...

How beautiful is this series of post - introducing different peeps - their tips and personality. I love it and yes I read her blog :) Hope your doing well mama.

Lisa said...

Wonderful post, Molly...and now I have a new blog to peruse!

Sue @ A Colourful Canvas said...

I've been thinking about this very subject. I recently asked my husband if my posts sound like me, and by me I like to think witty, vibrant, uplifting...blah blah blah. I think it's important to reveal yourself in your writing, but I'm not sure it's easy to do, and Molly, I find your tips here to be super helpful. I think I'm fairly funny in person, but I'm not sure how much is coming through in my posts yet. Time to not necessarily through caution to the wind, and how do you do that by the way?, but to let myself ramble on a bit like I really do.

Marion, as I've mentioned before,I'm really enjoying these bloggy bits. One day I will feel like I've arrived,but for now I will happily muddle along.

Molly, Haven't been to your blog, but I'm heading over now.

Thanks lovely ladies!

Sue xo

Monika Reynolds said...

this is actually really an ahmazing post to me because the whole reason for starting my blog was to show my love for fashion but incorporating my humor. i even have wanted to start doing funny outfit posts, just because the whole "stand in the street and smile" thing can get really boring and it is just not me.

thanks for sharing!

Monika
champagne-picnic.com

Bree TheUrbanUmbrella said...

I totally agree with "Be Vunerable". I think sharing a bit more of yourself (whether it be your humor or your hobbies or whatever) can make your readers feel more connected to you, and therefore your style.

xoxo Bree
The Urban Umbrella
http://www.theurbanumbrella.com

Amit Chhetri said...

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