Typecasting

Not too long ago I was asked if I felt like I have been typecast as a sex/relationship blogger and how I felt about it.  I absolutely loved that question and I wanted to take the time to answer it.  I get a lot of questions about sex, casual dating and relationships.  I love having people reach out to me and ask me for advice and/or guidance.  It feels good to know that regardless of the subject matter some of what I write has an impact.  It is an important part of what fuels me and keeps me writing.

sexThe topics I get the most meaningful and relatable interactions from are the pieces I do on relationships and dating.  My most popular pieces and most commented on pieces, if you peep my stats, are the pieces I have written about casual sex.  If you look at the response I received for a collective six or seven pieces it looks like I am one of the cool kids.  I enjoy writing about sex.  Those posts are easier for me to write than many of my other topics.

cuddlesI have written several independent pieces on dating and relationships that have been published on other sites.  I also have a monthly column for an online magazine that has been incredibly supportive of my racier work.  I have covered a wide variety of topics on my blog.  I have written pieces about contemporary issues, abuse and spirituality.  I really cover, I think, a broad spectrum of topics.

relationship difficultiesMost of my favorite pieces aren’t about sex at all.  I guess most of the work I am proudest of and have inspired the most meaningful dialogs are my posts about relationships.  I feel like I am somewhat of an expert on what not to do.  I enjoy the way my readers and fellow bloggers relate to and share those posts.  That portion of what I write has afforded me some amazing exposure in other areas of media. Those pieces often come from some difficult and emotionally painful life lessons.  I am typically not in a happy place when I write a lot of them and often in working through those turbulent emotional times I reach some basic understanding about how I, we connect with others.

aloneI have struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my life.  That can make dating difficult but I have learned to cope with it.  I have learned to find the positive in negative experiences and it is gratifying to know that that benefits not only me but those who read the material.  The work I am most proud of and that has helped me gain a following has truly come from a dark place I struggle to control.  Essentially I have to indulge all of that anxiety and hurt.  I have to swim in around the darkness to find the solution. Those pieces that stemmed from pain are some of the most important things I have written.

The posts everyone can relate to are the posts that require I focus on emotions I have struggled to manage all of my life.  Writing about relationships helps me cope with the additional strain disappointment adds to my sometimes thread bare emotional state.  Indulging my darkness to help others makes everything worth it.  I started writing because I felt I had something significant to say.  It keeps me on my toes.  It reminds me how strong people are and that the difficult times in my life have an important purpose, that there are benefits.

hmmI love being asked about relationships, dating and even sex.  I am proud of my writing and if there is an area where I can be of use to someone then I am more than happy to do it.  I think that what is important about that particular typecasting is that I know what I am talking about.  I can relate it to my experiences and that people want to hear what I have to say.

I started this blog because I wanted to contribute and help others through my experiences and my personal growth.  I feel like I am doing that and I am so grateful that people appreciate it.

 

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9 Comments

  1. This sums up why I started my blog as well. Kudos and thanks for writing.

    Reply
  2. You’re so frank and straightforward, trjensen. keep it up.

    Cheers !

    Reply
  3. When you speak about anxiety and depression we all go through these emotions at one time or another. These are the emotions which we grow from and thus relate to. By hearing your triggers helps us reconize our own triggers into depression or anxiety. It is amazing when your readers enjoy the writings you less passionate about. It always surprises me.

    Reply
  4. Relationships: We all gotta go through them. For better or worse.

    Reply
  5. I think the best, and most honest, writing often comes from the darkest places. Writing helps us make sense of our struggles – and to find the positives when things seem rather bleak. It doesn’t matter if you ever feel typecast as long as you write what you love.

    Reply
    • I don’t really feel typecast. I do love occassionaly asking for prompts which gives me a good idea of what people enjoy about my writing.

      Reply

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