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I love M.I.A.
Her music defies categorization. Almost defies description.
From Wikipedia (I can’t really do better), we have:
Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam (Tamil: மாதங்கி ‘மாயா’ அருள்பிரகாசம்; born 18 July 1975),[1] better known by her stage name M.I.A., is an English songwriter, record producer, singer, rapper, fashion designer, visual artist, political activist, and artist of Tamil Sri Lankan origin.
M.I.A. has described herself as being musically “homeless,” and her style of music as “other.”
She defies easy categorization, and rejects labels.
I intensely relate to M.I.A. in this way, of being mis-categorized, mis-labeled, misunderstood through my career spanning manual labor in my youth, to teaching laboratory classes at the top ranked engineering school in the world (Singapore ranking). And a lot in between.
How does anyone classify that experience?
How could anyone classify that experience?
Many of you have similar experience, serving a wide range of roles in a wide range of careers or industries or endeavors. Some of you who are younger, I see you about to embark on this path.
You are often labeled “Jack of all trades, master of none.” But it’s not a compliment. You know it, I know it, and so does everyone who says it.
What those people with their snide remarks don’t – won’t – admit: We are – universally – people who just get the job done, no matter what the job.
Many of you don’t have such experiences, but now wonder what you have missed. And while that’s a whole ‘nother conversation, if you are here reading this now, believe me, just by dint of blogging, you are developing such experience right now.
A few weeks ago, I asked you this question:
Most of you replied with various answers… literal answers… but that wasn’t really the question.
Let’s try again: What are you really looking for, and how can I help you find it?
If you’re “homeless” out here on the internet, blogging away in “blogistan” without a clearly defined “niche” (whatever that is), you are not alone.
There’s a whole tribe of us out here. We’re talented, hard-working, productive, creative and absolutely-impossible-to-pigeonhole. We’re going to have to make our own way in the world, together.
I’m leaving you with this: if you don’t know what to blog about (you don’t have one of those niche thingies), but you feel absolutely compelled anyway, stay the course.
It costs you nothing but time, and your writing is yours to keep. In time, meaning and vision will come. I’m sure of it.
And while you may feel you’re homeless, you always have a home here.
Thank you, Dave. What a wonderful invitation to come Home.
.-= Trece´s last blog ..Top Ten Reasons Why I Am Enough =-.
Stop by any time.
This is a perfect article for any discouraged blogger. There is always someone out there that is interested in the ‘other’ category that you write about. Just keep writing what you love, just like MIA will keep being an artist in a completely different and unique style of music.
.-= Alex Monroe´s last blog ..Dora The Entrepreneur =-.
Keep on keepin’ on. It’s what separates those who do from those who do not.
.-= Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Super or Total? Money Talks But Cache Rules =-.
You are absolutely right that this is a tribe unto itself. With many “expert” bloggers harping on niche or passions or message, those still looking for direction feel excluded. Even worse, some of us feel like we’re doing it wrong.
Jack of All Trades – “people who just get the job done, no matter what the job.”
That is the best description I’ve ever heard for the term. Thanks for saying what a lot of people needed to hear.
Gabriel, just don’t stop, that’s the key.
.-= Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Does Google Think You’re a Dirty Rotten Spammer? (Hint: link anchors matter) =-.
Oh, but my niche is no niche. Kind of like not asking why, but more of ‘why not?’ Yet, it’s always nice to know there is a place for us wayward souls looking for community. Important stuff. Thank you.
.-= Anne Bender´s last blog ..There Are No Guarantees of Tomorrow, Make Today Count =-.
Anne, we live in Otherland.
I like it here.
It’s great company.
When I started blogging (and I’m wildly uncomfortable with the word ‘blogging’ because I’m a Writer, dammit! I’m an arteeeeeste!), I did not have a defined niche or a focus.
I have a very, very loose focus now.
And how I arrived at that place – having a focus and a vision (and maybe even a niche – we shall see) – was by writing my way there.
I had to do it. I was needed to write and share. I needed an audience. I needed feedback and the daily practice that is essential to mistressing my craft. (My feminist is showing. I don’t like the word ‘master’ any more than I like ‘blog’.)
I’m convinced – I know it on an intimate, cellular, mundane level – that showing up and doing it is more important than lofty intentions, ideals, goals and aspirations.
Two of my friends are fitness success stories. Both of them attribute their abilities to run marathons and triathlons and lift insanely heavy objects (why, Josh, why?) to daily practice and small victories. The daily practice breeds incremental improvements and small victories. The small victories renew your commitment to the daily practice which then produces more victories which makes you practice more…you get the idea. It is a gorgeous, self-sustaining, creative cycle.
It is the same for my writing, my writing career and my blog. I started with a natural ability and burning desire to write, but the daily practice of blogging is turning me into a writer. The small victories added up and turned writing into a full-time living.
Now, I’m looking around and thinking: what’s next? What other arenas in my life will I transform by applying daily practice and small victories?
So starting out without knowing where you’re going can be a great thing.
Being lost and finding your way home is THE journey. This is the stuff of life.
Being lost – or, as you called it, ‘homeless’ – is temporary and essential. Ask any wanderer. Ask a cartographer or an explorer. Ask a man who won’t stop at the gas station to ask for directions because he’s building a map in his head. Ask myths. Ask Ulysses. Ask Dorothy, who followed the yellow brick road and still exclaimed “There’s no place like home!”
Because home is the best part of any trip – except, possibly, the journey itself.
ps love M.I.A.
I’m pretty sure I’m not the best “blogger” in these parts, and Website In A Weekend surely isn’t the best blog.
But I have the best commenters.
And that’s enough.
not entirely homeless, the home needs a lot of spiffing up – its a work in progress.
And having one home under construction there is no shortage of plans for others … that’s it, become a spec home builder,build it up and sell it for a profit… except for the flagship of course.
I have this continuous internal struggle … its my wanderlust at constant loggerheads with my logic.
.-= Valentina´s last blog ..Sunday Morn Musings: On Overused Words. =-.
Valentina, as the amount you write increases, you will be able to spin off various new ventures which will have much tighter focus.
.-= Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Does Google Think You’re a Dirty Rotten Spammer? (Hint: link anchors matter) =-.
Nice words – and fantastic song, that Brothers In Arms.
As to your question (in the title) – yeah I might be a bit homeless too. While my topic of blogging might be “other”, it’s usually related within “technology”, but still too wide to be considered a niche.
.-= Klaus @ TechPatio´s last blog ..Adobe Preparing a Lawsuit Against Apple? Screw You, Adobe! =-.
Klaus, same advice as with Valentina: the more you write, the easier it will be to tease out various niches for tighter focus.
.-= Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Super or Total? Money Talks But Cache Rules =-.
Another great one Dave. I always have to put other on my blog. I wrote about it a while back because I was signing up for things that wanted to know where to put and I just don’t fit into the predefined categories.
I’ll be back with you, don’t worry.
.-= Justin Matthews´s last blog ..Dreaming, what’s it all about? =-.
The next trick, once you have found what you like, is staying interested in it long enough for it to matter.
You have made me emotional with this post and the way you have described here is nice.
.-= Ovi´s last blog ..Page Rank: How Much Important It Is To A Blog ? =-.
Ahh.. How did you know I am seriously reconsidering my niche…or lack there of? I have become more focused but it feels forced and I have been getting less enjoyment from my blogging (which is a word I love cause it sounds cool in an icky kind of way LOL). I believe my blog is in for another shift in direction…I just hope those who have gotten used to the direction I’ve been going will hang in there, cause I’ll be going that direction as well. And if I didn’t confuse you, then I officially apply for residency in blogistan, oh evil overlord ;)
Gurl´s last post ..My Bucket List for the next two years
Thanks to Abby Kerr, I’ve got the word “blobbing” firmly entrenched in my mind. It just cracks me up.
The discipline I’m finding from writing everyday is incredible. I *know* I can write something readable every day. Whether I want to or not. That’s really important to me. Now, I want to learn to write something worth reading every day…
Dave Doolin´s last post ..Cargo Cult and The Art of Blogging
LOL I loved the blobbing….shall we blob for money or give out some blob tips? SEO for blobbers? :D
As for your writing, I’ve always enjoyed your articles. I do see them improving… you’re getting a bit of style and pizazz. Kelly is rubbing off on you I think ;)
The topic matter here constrains my writing; the primary function of Website In A Weekend is to inform rather than entertain. I’m ok with this.
Try this for more of the pure quill:
http://www.kellydiels.com/2010/01/14/guest-post-by-dave-doolin-how-to-be-needy-without-being-needy/