Why did I start my blog?

I get asked two questions about my blog. Why did you start blogging? And…why I would invest money into creating one? I’ve always believed that when you have a passion for something and believe in yourself, you should invest in it. Regardless if it’s just your time, your money or both. That way you will want to work hard at making it successful because you have invested not only finances, but also your time into it. Writing has always been something that I enjoy as far as I can remember. Back in elementary school, I couldn’t wait until it was time for creative writing. I didn’t know it at the time, but writing was like therapy to me and takes me somewhere else. When I’m writing, I’m not thinking about anything else except exactly what I’m writing about. Once I start writing I can’t stop. I may not talk a lot, but I always have something to say. At some point in my life, I just felt that it was easier for me to get my thoughts out and express myself through writing. I will admit that’s not the best to express yourself because people can take things another way. That does usually end up happening so yes…it’s definitely better to verbally express yourself. However, some of us would rather write and that’s what I do. As for investing in myself; I didn’t always want to work for myself. I believed it was easier to work for others. Do the work and sit back and collect your check. Easy right? Yes easy…but not fulfilling. Fulfillment was something that I was looking for in my life. When I started writing…nothing seemed to be working in my favor. I was going trough undiagnosed depression, anxiety; among other things that I will discuss later. It was writing that helped me get through these dark times in my life.

Quite a few years ago…I did attempt to work for few professional publications. Only to find out that these publications were shady as hell. Who knew the journalism game was a mess. Quiet as kept…they really shouldn’t be because journalism; especially written publications are struggling. Even ten, plus years ago when I was trying to work for them. I knew that I would do better starting my own blog than working for someone else. One publication that tried to play me…and I was absolutely shocked by them was The Columbus Post. For those who don’t know…The Columbus Post formally known as The Call & Post is a local newspaper here in Columbus, Ohio catering and focusing on the black residents of the city. It was extremely popular until the early 2000’s, then people forget all about them. In the mid 2000’s they were making a comeback because they started focusing back on our community and were hiring a bunch of younger writers. This was around the time that I applied to work for them. I wasn’t a professional writer…per say…but I had writing experience working as a content writer and creator for Radio One. I met with an editor at The Columbus Post…submitted a lot of my writings and was offered two positions there. One was to be a movie reviewer and the other was a contract writer which I would write articles for them about various things (pretty much what I wanted). Since I was a contractor and wouldn’t get a salary from them, just paid per each writing that was published. I was also free to work for other publications as well…including myself. After I was offered these positions, I didn’t hear from them for weeks. So I called and they acted like they didn’t know who I was. You know I was over that. Next thing I knew they were trying to publish some of my submitted writings. I won’t say how I found out…just know I did. Little did they know, I had them copy written by Radio One. I went up to their offices personally and retrieved each and every one of my writings from them and threaten to sue. Needless to say my relationship with their shady asses was over.They appear to still be in operating, but their website is a mess. You can hire me to keep it updated and fresh. I’m just saying. Seriously though, it’s sad, because a news publication like that is exactly what’s needed in this day and time for us as a black community because we’re kept out of the loop about many things. Even with social media, there’s so much going on that we’re not made privy to. The crazy thing is even though Radio One had my back with The Columbus Post; these MF’ers tried to do the same thing to me when I left Radio One. I learned right then and there to protect everything. I also learned that this wasn’t the route that I needed to take.

Around 2007 I started my first blog on Blogger; “RealMFNtalk.” I didn’t like the set up on blogger so I switched to WordPress (under the same name) and that’s the format I’ve had my blogs on since. At first I was using the free format. It was cool, because I was learning as I went along. I never wanted to be like the other popular blogs at the time like: The YBF, Concrete Loop, BlackVoices, Perez Hilton…etc. I always wanted to write about what interest me. I know that sounds selfish, but I knew that if I wrote about celebrities and gossip all of the time I would be miserable. Yes it would’ve made me a lot of money and possibly popularity, but it wasn’t what was in my heart. I’m the type of person who could care less what the next person is doing, especially some rich ass celebrities. None of that would keep my interest. At this time I was focusing mainly on a comedic aesthetic because I was also writing comedy for others at this time. (I’ll discuss that at a later time as well). I saw other people profiting from their writings and I wasn’t. That’s why I decided that I finally needed to take this seriously. I wanted my writings to finally open other doors even if it was me investing in myself. That’s when I decided to buy my own domain and invest in my own website. I wanted to take the premise of a blog and make it something bigger. The blog (which allows me to write about what I want) would be a stepping stone for everything else that I want to do such as: a podcast, selling merchandise, writing books, doing speaking engagements, community outreach, etc. Now it’s a lot of work…don’t get me wrong, but this is what I’ve always wanted to do. Just because I’m currently not posting as much as I should be or want to…don’t think that I’m neglecting it. I’m working on the big picture. I learned by investing my own time and money, that makes me want to have this be the huge success that I know it can be. Regardless of what you want to do…make sure to invest in yourself first and foremost. Learn about the business you want to get in to and make it your own. That’s the best advice I can give. Hopefully you all enjoy what I’m doing and I hope that I can keep your interest to bring many other things your way. Stay tuned!