I’m probably making a huge blogging mistake, posting what I consider to be an important entry on the Saturday of a three-day weekend. While people are most likely on a beach, hiking or taking a technology break I have spent hours today writing about the second full day of the Vida Vegan Con. At this point it’s going to take eight posts to describe my Portland / Vida Vegan Con experience, and it was so last week, so I need to wrap this series up!
Let me start with this. Today I turned 46. Yep, I’m no longer “post-40.” I’m now “approaching 50.” You know what I love? That last weekend, my last as a 45-year-old, I was hanging out with so many amazing people, the majority significantly younger than me. And I felt like I belonged. Age is just a number. I feel more alive, healthy and vibrant than ever. Vida Vegan Con provided a space to be a part of a community as well as to turn inward and reflect.
The second full day of the conference (you can read about day one here) left me pondering this important question: What’s my mission statement? Specifically, what’s my blog mission statement and what’s my personal mission statement regarding my veganism? As I describe the panels I think you’ll understand why I began ruminating on these questions.
Oh wait, my day began with (another!) 4-mile run and then a repeat of the fabulous breakfast buffet.
Okay, now I’m ready.
Activism Panel: Leigh-Chantelle Koch, Chelsea Lincoln, Isa Chandra Maskowitz, Ryan Patey, Sunny Subramanian, moderated by Jasmin Singer.
I attended this session because my vegetarian to vegan journey has been an interesting one. I became vegetarian because of an animal but I became vegan for diet. As time goes on I’m identifying far more as an ethical vegan. I wanted to learn how I might deal with the ethics more directly on my blog, keeping in mind that my audience is varied. Here’s a snapshot of what I learned:
- Bake sales are a great way to promote veganism (delicious food!) and raise money for animal rights.
- Find your voice and be true to it.
- Wearing animal rights shirts, carrying an AR tote, etc are simple ways to engage conversation and be an activist.
- Most of us weren’t born/raised vegan. We came to it. Remember that when you’re working with non-vegans.
- “How do we talk about Animal Rights on our blogs without alienating our readers?” Be genuine. Know your audience.
- A blog is a conversation. It is not set in stone; it’s dynamic.
- How to use food as activism: Write letters to editors (of cooking magazines?) Bake once a week and take it to work and handout the recipe and a few facts on animal rights. Host an all-vegan holiday dinner. Reach out to restaurants requesting vegan options.
Extreme Food Writing Makeover: Dynise Balcavage (also know as Urban Vegan)
I write requests for funding for a living. I’m not a trained food writer (trust me, I know I’m not telling you anything you haven’t already figured out if you read my blog). I wanted some help. Session highlights:
- Why do you blog? What differentiates your blog? Thinking about these questions will help you focus.
- Show, don’t tell. If a nut is delicious, describe why it’s delicious. Slow down and think about the five senses.
- Verbs: get specific. Did you walk or did you stroll, wander, amble. Find another way to say “is” or “are”.
- Adjectives are like accessories: do you want a “delicious” brownie or an “orgasmic” brownie?
- Adverbs are like MSG: overused and often unnecessary.
- Every word should be there for a reason.
- Blog posts should be 150 – 300 words (I heard this at the BlogHer ’11 conference too. I am a too-many-words offender! This post is an example — however, note that I did choose to break down my VVC experience into eight posts instead of a one post dissertation. I’m trying!)
- Stay focused, don’t wander, don’t assume.
- Ground readers with a title.
- Be careful with “always” and “never” and “perfect”. Nothing is absolute in this world.
- Exclamation points are like decadent fudge. You don’t want to eat it every day.
- Before you click publish: Revise (does this reflect my voice? review verbs, cut words); Check links: Proofread.
Story-making and Food Blogging (There’s a dragon in my tempeh taco..): Terry Hope Romero
You sense a theme here, yes? I craved tips for enhancing my writing. Session highlights:
- What story am I going to tell and how is it going to make my blog different?
- If you tell a good story, it will help keep your blog afloat.
- You have to be your own editor.
- What is a story? Beginning (the promise/hook), middle (information + emotion) and end (the promise delivered).
- Brief posts: consider linking to a recipe instead of including the recipe text in the post.
- What’s YOUR story? Why do you blog? What’s your blog mission statement? (Make it story friendly) Describe your blog in one sentence.
- Never write a blog post that starts with “I was bored at work.” We all get bored at work. Who are YOU & why will readers come back?
- If you haven nothing to say on your blog, post a picture of a cat.
A full morning! It was lunch time and I was bad blogger. The food looked so good I just started eating. Fortunately Bianca took a great shot.
The taco buffet included soy curls (a new favorite) and walnut meat (raw). So good. After a poolside chat with Gena I scurried off to the final session.
Opinionated Bloggers: Laura Beck, Ben Grossblatt, Jordan Pattern and Jasmin Singer
Jasmin kicked things off and this statement resonated with me completely: “Say what you want. Say what you mean. Say it with fervor. Let the comments fall where they may.”
Other highlights:
- The satirist wants you to snap out of it. See something old in a new way.
- Put to use your sense of humor, sense of outrage…your vision of a better world.
- Don’t let mean comments stop you.
This session turned into a dialogue among the panelists and the audience. It was engaging and gave me much to consider.
The conference attendees gathered one last time for closing remarks by the three fabulous organizers– Janessa, Jess, and Michele.
and a send off from Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero.
I was able to chat up more new friends Christa, Kyle, Jared and Kristina.
This ends my recap of the actual content of the conference. Be sure to check out Episode 86 of Our Hen House for Jasmin’s take on the Con. I just listened to it this morning and my heart was full. I kept thinking “I was there!”
My final Portland / Vida Vegan Con recap (yep, eight in total) will highlight a dinner date of my dreams, a lunch date of my dreams and a crazy trip home to New York.
This post is 1,196 words. Sorry Dynise and Terry!
33 thoughts on “Portland / Vida Vegan Con #7: The Conference (Day 2) — What’s your mission statement?”
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Another fantastic recap!!! You were so good at taking notes on the conference.
I know it’s a different age realization, but I’m turning 30 in June, and everyone, especially my 25 year old fellow-post baccs, are sort of expecting me to freak out (about being single, getting older, my career being in flux). I really could care less about it. Each year of my life, I’m fortunate to say, has been better than the one before, because I’m more sure of who I am. So I actually enjoy the getting older process.
Honestly, most of notes were my tweets from live-tweeting the sessions! Thank goodness I could go back to Twitter! LOL
Honestly, since 30, it’s better every year!
Ernie already stole my heart. Happy Birthday beautiful.
Happy Birthday JL! I am right behind you at 45. Thanks so much for this post. This is so helpful to me as I begin my gay, vegan, blogging journey. I will re-read it several times. Sending you lots of love.
First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. And I would agree with your statement – age is just a number and we all relate to each other based on shared ideals and passions (and wine).
I’ve been loving your recaps – and will refer to them often for inspiration and ideas. Your blogging voice is a strong one – and I love it!
a big takeaway for me regarding activism – someone said in reaction to a “I cannot be vegan because of cheese” (insert “thing they cannot give up” here) – keep a sense of humor, don’t become defensive. they are in the conversation and it’s an opportunity to teach. (perhaps this hit home for me because that was MY last hold as a vegetarian – the cheese!) 🙂
and I loved sitting with you during the writing panels, eating nuts and giggling.
age is just a number!! THIS is why I love you – your attitude, outlook and young energy! (not that 46 is anywhere near old, but you know what I mean…) you DID fit right in with people half your age! (so did I!). I know people in their mid 20s who seem like they could be 50… just because of their outlook. boo. I cannot hang around them for any long stretch of time…
*HAPPY BIRTHDAY* here’s to another amazing year!
I agree that so much of what I took away, from basically every panel, was about communication. How to communicate with non-vegans, other vegans, yourself. It’s the keystone of what we do as bloggers, and yet I think many of us needed the weekend to really stop and examine how we communicate.
Happy birthday!
ERNIE!
Agree on the “cheese”! I feel like I finally have an answer to that response!
Happy birthday, JL, I think you’ll be “forever young.” This recap is not too long — maybe too short. I wanted to keep reading so I hope you’re not kidding about the 8 posts. 🙂 There were so many workshops I wanted to attend but could only be at one at a time, so I love reading about the ones I missed. Give Ernie a big smooch and hug from me, he looks like a sweetie.
Happy Birthday! I hope you’re celebrating in style. 🙂
First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY fellow 40-something! You are so lovely and you exude such…vibrancy [I’m not going to bother to look that word up to make sure it’s real b/c this isn’t MY blog! 🙂 ] Age IS just a number and you wear yours very well. Personally, I love being a 40-something (I’m 39 with 3 years experience). I have no patience with people that bemoan growing older because growing older is a privilege.Six years ago I was given a 40% chance of being alive on my 40th birthday.Now they say I will live to 90-something. And I am looking forward to it. I will love every damn wrinkle that I earn!
Btw, I enjoyed your long post. And Ernie is a love. I can understand why and how you fell so hard so fast. The older cats will come around.They always do! <3
Wow, Christina, that is powerful! You are so right. Life is precious. Why bemoan the little things?!
Looks really interesting. WOW. Making blogging educational. I LOVE Laura Beck’s posts!! Even though I am sure she would hate that title of my blog, I ADORE her. Especially in this month’s VegNews. Have to have something that cracks me up, even when it’s a totally tragic situation. And honest. Love your blog because you aren’t shy or expressing “your” self and it’s not just beautiful photos of brownie bites. And don’t care the length of post, if it’s interesting!
xxx000
I really appreciate your feedback. Thank you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I LOVE it JL! Happy, happy birthday! I hope this day and all your years to come are filled with love, laughs and great vegan food, you deserve it all ! Love all your posts on the conference and it was SO great meeting you! I would love to also feature you as a guest blogger too! Let me know if you are interested, though no pressure. PLLEAASSEE! 🙂 Seriously, no pressure. LOL!
Happy Birthday, JL! Well apparently there are still plenty of us who are reading! I really wonder who came up with that 150-300 word thing, as it seems like the blogs I most enjoy reading are the ones who tell stories and share emotions, and that usually takes longer than 300 words. Regardless…thanks again for the great recaps, and have a great b-day. 🙂
I think the 150 – 300 word post is actually a great exercise. How many words do we need that are not necessary? I also think that for folks who post daily, it’s something to think about. Having said that, a good number of blogs I read, including yours, do not have daily posts. I want to read more words because there’s a bigger story to tell. (not sure if that makes sense!)
Great recap! I was reading your tweets during the conference and when you posted the 150-300 words thing I thought, “no way!”. Everyone is different. I wouldn’t even get started in 300 words!! And I loved every word of this blog post. 😀
See above! LOL You are also someone who doesn’t post every day, so I think your posts require more words!
Great recap, I’ve totally enjoyed reading all your recaps and can’t wait for next year! And happy late birthday!
Ernie is so cute, congrats on the new addition! 🙂 And, hmmm, I’ve been posting a lot of cat pictures lately. 😛 I never get tired of reading and listening to blog tips, looking forward to that at the FB fest.
Your wrap up series has been fantastic. I feel as though I am reliving the conference all over again, bringing back such great memories. It was so great meeting you!
“Alive” and “vibrant” are precise words I would use to describe you, and your energy is just as contagious. Live it up past that number!
I don’t think you wrote to long. I disagree with whoever said that. But on average probably many people have shorter attention spans these days.
Happy birthday! Thanks for sharing, some of us don’t have a labor day and aren’t on the beach. So we get to enjoy your post!
Happy birthday, beautiful! Thank you for the great notes, they took me right back to last weekend and now I miss it and everyone even more. Looking forward to catching up with you and feasting at Candle 79 in a few weeks. You’re such an inspiration. Keep on keepin’ on and don’t change a thing.
I can’t wait until we get together in NY!!!
I’m loving these recaps, even if they are long! Your overviews of the writing sessions are of particular interest to me, and I can see them being really helpful. Thanks so much for sharing, each post I read gets me more and more excited for next year.
One of the reasons I took the time to write the two, lengthy content recaps was for this reason. There are more vegan bloggers who were NOT in Portland and I wanted to share a little bit of the conference with everyone.
Doesn’t matter how many words this post has, I’ve read every word with my full attention ;).
I’m a little bit in love with Terry Hope Romero, she’s such a cutie. But Ernie seems way cuter! How sweet that you’re taking care of him.
And though I’m a little bit late, happy birthday JL! You’re looking good and glowing!
Ernie is a great addition to our family! I’m so glad we rescued him!
How could you NOT take that kitten in. So cute!
Right! He’s so sweet! (and so ornery!)
Thank you so much for this post! As a baby blogger, I very much appreciate all of the tips. It’s scary putting your words out there and very nice to have a little guidance to start things off. Ha! I so wish I could have attended the conference, sounds like an amazing opportunity and tons of fun!