Keris Stainton continues our Women Who Blog series with an Australian in Paris...
Gabrielle Luthy and I have got a lot in common. We both love US dramas, San Francisco, Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City series, and margaritas. But while she sits gazing out at the Eiffel Tower from the balcony of her Paris apartment, my view is of the neighbouring factory's car park wall. But is she happy? Well, yeah, of course she is...
What made you start blogging?
In late 2004, I moved from Melbourne, Australia, to Paris. Being splotchy (ha!) in answering mail, I figured a blog was a good way to let friends and family know what was going on, as well as being a good way to keep a record of my time here, and to amuse myself.
Whose was the first blog you ever read?
Chocolate and Zucchini. I was Clotilde's editor when she wrote for a Paris e-zine, and I loved checking out what she was doing--still do.
What's the point of blogs?
People write blogs for all different reasons but the main one for me is to connect. I think everyone wants to be heard, and blogs are a wonderful tool for that. You can share pictures, videos, music, whatever you want. I'm constantly delighted by some bloggers. Many of them have no intention of writing a book, but are so funny, talented and thought-provoking that I'm always entertained. When media is so controlled, and so many news outlets are actually fronts, I love the power of blogs in giving the "little" person a voice.
How do you think your 'blogging persona' differs from the 'real you' (if at all?)
Um, I swear more in real life. That's probably the only difference.
You moved from Australia to Paris - has blogging helped?
Absolutely! Apart from keeping people up to date on my shenanigans, it's been a great sounding-off place for me. I work with some excellent people, but we don't have the same cultural references. I'm such a pop culture freak, but if I come into the office on Monday and start going off about something I've seen on TV or read on a news site, my (French) office mate usually stares blankly at me--unlike with my crew in Melbourne, where the response was either "I KNOW!" or "Don't be bloody stupid, that's not what happened." ;-) So I use the blog as an alternative to chatting around the water cooler. I'm always amazed by the comments/emails I get from people who've connected with something I've written.
You occasionally write about work. Does anyone at work read your blog? Are you concerned about what would happen if they did?
Oh, God, I hope no one's reading it! No, I keep a close eye on my stats so I know if anyone's cruising by. I'm not too concerned, though--I try to keep things generic. I could be kidding myself here, and maybe I shouldn't say anything, but I still get a buzz out of walking into our gen-u-ine chateau for a meeting, not to mention working in the former Monaco royal residence. Makes office work a little easier to bear.
You're very honest in your blog. Is there anything you wouldn't write about?
Hmm. I'll say what I like about myself, but I try to avoid anything that I think others would want kept private. For instance, though my brother's been loud and proud for years, I checked with him first to see if it was okay to say that. (Obviously, it was.) I also trrrrrrrrry to steer away from politics, but there are times when I can't hold off an outburst. Jackson Browne said it best: "There's nothing more personal than your politics." I've also named names when it comes to people I believe are trying to rip off writers. This gig is hard enough as it is without shysters.
Everyone has a different comfort zone. Some people will only talk about their writing, some will let it all hang out. I think I'm somewhere in the middle. I've deleted posts halfway through because my "honesty" was going to harm somebody--which probably is a good indicator that it wasn't honesty, it was bitchiness. At the same time, I received an email the other day from someone who said she appreciates that I'm not scared to tell it like it is, while keeping things bright and funny.
Have you made or lost any friends through your blog?
Made plenty, had delightful meals with some while they're in town, and I know I upset at least one person but what I wrote was taken the wrong way. That was a learning experience, though I stand by what I said. We all have our own truth.
I'm always impressed with the way you tackle obnoxious commenters - do you have a blogging code of conduct? Do you think there needs to be an "official" code?
Thanks :-) The only "code" I have is to listen. If I'm wrong in what I say, I'm prepared to admit it and have a discussion. But the only time someone was really obnoxious was in reaction to me saying I thought he was unprofessional. I knew as I wrote it that this guy would Google himself, which is exactly what he did. The ridiculous part about that was, although he was leaving anonymous comments (actually, rants--some of them quite nonsensical, thus proving my theory that he didn't know what he was doing), I could see his ISP and knew who it was. I kept asking him to at least sign his name to the posts, which sent him into a lather. Once I got sick of that, I stopped anonymous comments--though I would never go to moderated comments. I think that's awfully offputting to some people and makes them feel self-conscious. If you don't like a comment, it's easy to delete it.
Thinking about it, though, my code of conduct is to never leave an anonymous comment. If I won't commit my name to what I say then I won't say it.
Who are your blogging heroines?
Too many to mention. Anytime someone stands up and says "This is how it is for me," I admire them--even those who I disagree with--though, you know, less so than those I agree with ;-) (Although I refuse to include Ann Coulter in that. My magnanimousness ends way before her door.) One of my favorite musicians, Ottmar Liebert, posts great photos from his home in Santa Fe or from different tours, as well as tips and links for the environmentally conscious. Amra Pajalic always puts things out there as she travels the road to publication, and I'm constantly amused by Ms. Mac and Frog with a Blog--who have SUCH a mutual admiration thing going on that it'd be ridiculous if they both weren't so fabulous!
Keris co-edits Shiny Media’s fabulous women’s fiction blog, Trashionista and contributes to TV Scoop, The Bag Lady and Bridalwave. She's going to Paris next month and will so be gracing Gabrielle with her presence.