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How do you like the name of my blog?

Do you like it at all? At least three times I day, I feel like I have to change it. I write about food most of the time but I also do other nonsense things that have little to no connection to food. Let’s face it though — it always comes down to food. “egeedee” has no meaning apart from being a spelt-out version of my initials EGD, which when stretched out stands for Edlyn Giselle D’Souza, which means noble waterfall antelope rocks.

Should I change the name of my blog to Noble Waterfall Antelope Rocks?

Don’t answer that.

How important is it to title a post?

Does it really matter in the whole scheme of things? I usually just title it based on what I’m feeling. In the beginning when I posted a recipe, I didn’t state what it was a recipe of in the title. I did that consciously because I didn’t want this to be only a recipe-sharing blog. As time went on, I thought it would make life a lot easier for people who happened to come across my blog to know what they were in for as soon as they read the title. If ever I titled a post “Panties on a clothes line”, I would want it to be about said underwear and not a chocolate chip cookie…I want to be honest to my readers, ya know? Most seasoned bloggers will tell you not to be intimidated by their skills, find you own voice and just keep bettering yourself for yourself. Being myself, I can do that. The difficult part is all the second-guessing I do with snotty little things like the title of a post.

My favourite question: Text on pictures, is it worth it?

Again, this was something I enjoyed doing in the beginning when I didn’t title my posts appropriately. As a writer, it gave me an excuse to ramble a bit and then BAM! pull the attention back to the food I was eventually going to write about. As a reader, do you think that worked? (a) Not at all (b) A little bit (c) I loved the text. Never stop.

Does my writing leave you feeling out of breath?

I understand that my writing style breaks all the rules but this is how my mind thinks. I feel like I have runner’s brain ALL. THE. TIME. You know when you’re running and it’s like: “I think my right foot is coming down awkwardly. Why can’t people pick up their garbage. I hear a clicking sound. Pine cone! I should collect them next time. What should I eat later? We need spinach. I’ll go to Central Market later…”

You know what I mean? I’m not begging for compliments here because I know if I was the best, I’d be sitting in my “home office”, writing my first freelance piece for Edible Seattle or Seattle Weekly or whatever. Who cares. I want feedback from the Internets. Criticism too perhaps. I don’t know any writers and my friends are too nice to me. Friends, stop it. Just kidding.

Now for some answers!

Tomorrow I shall write a fantastical recipe for my “Can’t live without Thursday” fiesta. Beans in an energy bar, with chocolate chips. Seriously? Yes. I can’t believe it either. But it existed until last week and then we ate it all. I just wish I took pictures of the almonds. It’s driving me crazy!

Yesterday, I ate this quinoa stir fry for lunch. It was something spontaneous but it turned out to be so delicious that I must share this secret. Now as soon as this sun goes away, I might be more productive. It was supposed to rain and do all sorts of yucky things to the ground and our mostly white dogs, but no. It’s gorgeous and worthy of a dip in the ocean + some sunbathing if it wasn’t 9 degrees C.

As for the everything else in this house, it’s quiet. I’ll have some banana muffins in the oven soon and later I might bake a cake if I get over this sunshine. All I can think of is ocean breeze. How do people get stuff done?

I’m glad I have Awesomepants to tell me this every now and then. I know he reads what I write because he quotes lines from here. Like yesterday: “Baby, I’m the ‘husbandit’.” At least he knows he can’t steal my chocolate. I think.

So far, I haven’t forgotten to blog.

I do feel half-confident about writing what I do sometimes. Just as soon as I do, I remind myself that this is my space. I don’t make tall claims and if I do, you have permission to smack me. Yes, I have grand ideas but don’t we all? Larger than life starts with smaller than small. My ideas take cues from scribbles on a notebook and a brain that I do wish I could shut off sometimes. I’m not sure if this is how most of you write (is it?), but Edlyn was dropped on her head as a baby.

I’d love to make this post an “idea sharing” one. I’m not a new writer so I have some idea of what works for me. This isn’t for me. Rather it’s for those who want a voice. I’m going to write what I think is good advice and you can share some comments on your own experience. What is your opinion on using Twitter, Instagram, facebook for self-publicity? Are comments/likes really that important? How important is good photography? You get the point, right? Since I’ve yet to reap the benefits of such information, you-who-are-more-worthy, your words will be appreciated.

Cool, okay…1. 2. 3. GO.

HOW?

There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are. W. Somerset Maugham

Just begin. I don’t know what finally clicked in my brain but I’m glad it did. I’ve always wanted a blog but constant comparison and demon fighting stopped me from feeling worthy. It’s hard but as soon as you find how cathartic it is to share an honest story, it’s hard to stop.

Everybody has a story. Tell it in the way you know best. If you can talk, you can write. Unless you’re 1. Then I’m sure talking is a bit hard for you too.

You don’t always have to be Miss Universe with a world peace plan. If you look through this blog, you’ll see what a see-saw I am. People might not like your voice but someone is bound to relate. You can be an inspiration, just the same.

The best blogs are perfect but for them, it’s their job. They probably had to work a lot to get there and yes, they now have hired help. You don’t need all of that. All you need is your voice. See how we keep coming back to that?

Inspiration? My favourite inspiration is happiness. When something as simple as a walk outside takes my breath away, I can write so much better because I feel so much more creative. Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of what you make of it. So yes, you can also make beauty out of melancholy. Your words will be your guide.

Sometimes I feel I have nothing to say but if I sit on it for a bit longer, I feel I’m a lot more able to come up with something. It’s always better than nothing. Tea always helps. And music. Maybe a cat in your lap. The last one is totally optional.

Read like crazy. If you want to write like a champion, eat like one. The best food is a good book. My favourite authors have a very conversational style of writing. Right now I’m reading “Sex and the City”. Just kidding. I’m actually reading “Istanbul” by Orhan Pamuk. Reading books such as these help me be a lot more uncomplicated with what I want to say, knowing that something so magical can come out of it.

Most importantly: Don’t forget to write.

I won’t, dearest boyfriend. I won’t.

Questions, I have a few.

“Don’t forget to blog!”