This is a legitimate question. Can lawyerwriter be trusted to continue as a blog?
When I first started to blog, it really wasn't about building an audience. I just liked writing and instantly publishing.
For the last few months I have loathed writing and publishing. But I'm coming out of that now. So maybe this blog can be trusted.
Here are some answers to some of your other questions, as I imagine them.
1. Why did you hate writing and publishing?
Alas, some things are personal.
2. What the hell is this blog about?
No one knows. It just appeared on the internet like a funky smell, and refuses to go away. The comment section now attracts spam like flies. And yet, I run into people all the time who tell me "I read your blog every day." So the topics must be touching some audience--other people like me.
3. Who the hell are you?
I am a lawyer who does not practice but thinks of practicing (part-time, anyway) and a writer is loves writing, but doesn't want to do it for a living. Essentially, I am a very poor person with a vivid imagination.
4. Can't we have some idea of what to expect if we, say, want to be distracted for that last five minutes before we go home?
These are the topics I'm interested in: being a writer, the whole law school/lawyer phenomenon, the mythic quality of celebrity gossip (particularly anything about Brangelina), being a dog walker, being a freelancer, what band I saw last night, angry ventings of real-life situations that are hopefully readable, being Indian-American, being from Northern California, living in New York City, sketching out chapters of upcoming books, the worlds of publishing, journalism and, oddly, anything about management techniques, poverty of the artistic, and, embarassingly, reality television. Seriously.
Dpes this make sense? (No.) Will this get me a regular audience? (No.) Shouldn't I have advertisements on the side of the screen somewhere? (Yes). Isn't the lack of topic and consistency just a part of your total self-absorption? (Yes.) Can you even justify this blog at all? (Yes. It gets me writing everyday). How accurate are your descriptions of your night out? (I have been known to omit details, like stuff about my lovelife. Don't worry, you're not missing much.)
5. Can't you spellcheck?
You know, I really am THAT lazy. So, no.
6. How about some more images on the blog?
Again, really--that lazy. If you see any pictures, it will probably involve Angelina Jolie. I'm obsessed with her--but, you know, in a spiritual, personal way.
7. How old is that picture?
Last year. My hair is longer now.
8. Isn't the fact that you were recently published in Cat Fancy magazine the first sign that you are not normal about your cats?
Well, technically, I am not normal about animals. I love them wholeheartedly, without reservation, which is the only reason I can forgoe chicken tikka masala, grilled salmon and Big Macs to be a vegetarian. But the article was easy, paid decently, and I liked the fact that I could do something for cat-kind, as they have done plenty for me. (I do recognize that this is still more extreme than some people, and no, it really doesn't make a difference to me if the rest of human-kind is vegetarian or not. I just which we were smarter and more considerate about it).
9. How's freelancing?
It bites. That's why I'm looking for a part-time job. As a writer, I charge $50 an hour. That rate goes up or down depending on the level of my desperation, but I have to at least make half that. Keep me posted if you hear anything.
10. Can we count on a new lawyerwriter entry every day?
I'm aiming for daily. Bear with me while I get my groove back. It's really nice to know that people out there like the blog and my writing. It is back, I promise.
I'll leave the rest of the questions for you. Fire away!