MPPR 850 #6

I've mentioned before that I don't usually write a lot of original content, and that's probably due to my hectic schedule. I work in-house at an advertising  agency, telecommute for PR firm in New York, and I have my own (very) small business. On top of all of that, I'm forging through this PR program at Georgetown. *wipes sweat from forehead* I'm just saying this to say  that I don't have the time like I used to to just sit back in reverie and come up with a lot of original blog posts. Thanks to some of my favorites sites, which can be found on my blog roll ( In the Know and Sites with Substance), I don't have to always come up with something originated by me for it to be interesting. My favorite blogger Demetria Lucas, also known at "Belle" of A Belle in Brooklyn, was the first blogger I ever really followed. Her following has multiplied exponentially since I first started reading in 2008 and since she announced that her book A Belle in Brooklyn: Advice for Living Your Single Life and Enjoying Mr. Right Now will be released in the spring, but I guess her blog may not still be considered "mainstream". Her niche is writing about relationships and other issues usually from a woman of color's perspective. Beside the biography-like stories she used to recount on her blog, she usually writes about her opinions on topics she reads on other sites or hears about in the news. I find that I generally take this route as well when it comes to my blog. She's been my greatest influence probably because she was my first real introduction to blogging for an audience.

I learned more recently that I take most interest in following the blogs of writers. They're usually not famous for their blogging. For them, blogging tends to be a hobby. Recently, I began following Jozen C, author of the blog "Until I Get Married". His blog is all about relationships from the vantage point of a bachelor bent on enjoying his singlehood in every possible way. . .until he gets married. I've taken some cues from his blog for my own because I appreciate reading his point of view on certain topics, especially when it comes to male/female interaction and relationships. I can always count on him to be frank and actually quite original with his content.

Finally, The Grio is a site that I recently started following regularly. It presents breaking news and opinion pieces surround the African American community. Many of my posts have a cultural slant to them, so a site such as this one is ideal for discovering interesting stories and points of view. The Grio also helps me discover relevant and timely information that will also interest my readers. A recent article that I read on The Grio that I may write about here is "10 Ways to Get More Diversity at the Oscars". The lack of a single Academy Award nomination in a major category caused a stir during award season, but the author suggests that the problem lies not within the nominating committee, but with the directors and actors themselves. It's frank, honest, and little uncomfortable, but what's a blog post or article if it doesn't incite some sort of controversy?