On Blogging

she's so me

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Hello hello hellooo—

To kick off the new semester, I thought I would take some time to reflect on this blog's humble beginnings.

Last spring, Sputnik Sweetheart was born via caesarean section. she was named after my favorite murakami novel, as an homage, but also because i couldn't think of anything original. Sputnik Sweetheart is everything I'd want from a publication title: it's cute, short, and alliterative. Plus, "Sputnik" roughly translates to "fellow traveler," and I'd like to think that we are all on this little journey together.

⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚

The Forefathers

Many muses come to mind when I write. Most obviously, Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. Then Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally. There's also Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Diane from Bojack Horseman, a millennial working for 2015 Buzzfeed, and of highest importance, stan from Dog with a Blog.

When the weather is nice, I sit on the BSB terrace and pretend that University Hall is the Empire State Building. I am a scrappy intern, down on my luck, but patiently awaiting my big break. I am also reluctantly falling in love with a cold-hearted accountant/attorney/political analyst.

The Writing

Prior to this experience, my writing fell into one of two categories: homework assignments or diary entries. I was either working on my medieval literature final or going to my journal to complain about how I procrastinated said final until the very last minute.

For this reason, blogging started out as a form of purgatory: formal, but not too formal, business in the front, party in the back. My issue was that I wanted you guys to think that I'm funny and relatable, but also smart and socially conscious. Figuring out what tone to use was ultimately a game of trial and error.

Aside from tone, the deadlines were also tougher than expected. I considered making this blog biweekly, but I think churning out ideas every week is good for my creative juices or something.

the consequences

I joined UIC Radio so people could actually read my work. The only con was that people would actually read my work. The thought of someone from high school even skimming through these blogs made me want to crawl out of my skin.

But it eventually happened, and everything turned out fine. In fact, this blog has helped me reconnect with old friends and even make new ones.

There are things I want to be read, things I want to be known, things I care about, all of this is worth any momentary embarrassment I may experience.

Going Forward

So here I am again!

I'm playing around with writing longhand. There are many alleged benefits, like increased brain engagement and decreased eye strain. And I will look even more mysterious jotting away in my Moleskine with my Muji pen.

Lately, I've been reading Substack and essay collections and memoirs. I hope to channel all of that into my beloved Sputnik Sweetheart.

Very excited for what's to come!

Missed u guys, Sputnik Sweetheart ⋆˙⟡♡

(all images sourced from Pinterest)