hot coffee girl

The Bread and Butter

Why did you start this site?

I have been writing as long as I can remember. When I was in elementary school, I used to type out these silly little “articles” and stories on our electric typewriter, and then cut them up and pasted them onto a bigger sheet of paper. I drew pictures to go along with some of the pieces, or beg my mom (who was-and is-much better at drawing) to do it for me. My dad would copy them at work, and I would pass them out to everyone I saw.

This is the high-tech version of that.

Everyday life, my own personal quest for truth, the writers I read, that bitch who cut me off in traffic this morning…it’s all grist for the mill.

How would you describe "Hot Coffee Girl"?

This was the hardest question for me to answer. Perspective is tough when it comes to your own work and ideas.

When I asked some of my readers for help with my homework, one of them said this, “Hot Coffee Girl, to me, is a home for the disabused. Those of us who are fed up with all the nice shit in the world come to you to learn how to stop crying our hearts out. Things have been tough for you (though many of your readers may not know to what degree). You approach these things as though they're important enough for the telling, yet with an understanding that everyone has their own stories. You apologize for getting overly sentimental, and then tell us all to fuck off with our apologies and our sentiment. We are clearly made aware of what is and what isn't cool, even by a person who admits that she is sometimes pathologically uncool. You are here to teach us, and you are here to learn. You are here to be tough, you are here to break down, and you'll take us all though it (mostly) unapologetically.”

What do you do offline? (i.e. jobby-job, creative pursuits)

I run my own web design and development company. This gives me ample freedom to skulk around Tremont looking for expensive martinis, paint terrible pictures, gossip with my girlfriends, and torture my little dog. My boyfriend is infinitely patient with aforementioned antics, as well as the fact that I will probably write about them all at some point. He also lets me steal made-up words from him, on occasion.

The Toast and Jam

What sort of responses do you get from your readers?

I have an amazing group of readers. Really, I do. They are as varied in the responses they leave on my site as my posts themselves. Some are little things-like telling me they like this change, or they want that change. Some are kind words about a specific topic. Some are to tell me I am simply full of shit. In those instances, they are usually right on target.

What's the best compliment you've received from a reader?

"Thanks to you I have come a bit closer to hearing the sound of one hand clapping. I can't decide if you're a guru or a grasshopper."

On the other side of the spectrum, what's the worst comment you've received?

I think that allowing comments is part of the deal with a site like this. I do have the power to edit or remove comments, to be sure. I have only edited a comment when there is an incorrect link, because I want to make sure the commenter gets the traffic they wanted/deserved. (In these cases it was only when they already left their own URL, just misspelled something.) And I did remove one comment in the year or so that I have had this blog. It was a nasty, personal attack from my now ex-husband that was directed towards the readers of the blog, but really meant to hurt me. I had no interest in starting a "flame war" for no reason, so I removed the comment. Otherwise, I have been blessed with great readers. I think that when you present your ideas in a fairly open and honest manner, you get that respect in return. So goes my life, so goes my blog, I guess.

The Bagels & Cream Cheese

How would you describe Cleveland's blogging community? (Is there one?)

There is a community, to be sure. But I think that there also grows these organic communities around and within each blog itself. I started reading a blog that was listed on the Tremonter site. She and I personally became friends “offline”, although I still read her every day. From her site, I began reading another writer who has since had a significant impact on my work, and is also a very good friend. The six degrees of separation really apply here.

Do bloggers have significant influence on pop culture here in Cleveland? How would you improve the scene here?

The bloggers absolutely have a significant influence here in Cleveland. Any time that you have a free (or relatively inexpensive) way to reach a large number of people, you will find that tool powerful. Bloggers and readers of those blogs are exchanging ideas. From small things: which restaurant gave crappy service, which jerk parked in front of a fire hydrant in your neighborhood, where the next Great Band is playing. They also tackle the bigger issues about life and art and love. The blend of the two is what makes readers so loyal.

What sites do you visit every day? What are your guilty pleasures? Who are some of your favorite bloggers - and why?

Of all of the sites that I have listed on my blogroll, there are at least two who really stand out to me as examples of excellent writing, entertainment, or both.

Blogography (http://www.blogography.com) - Dave is funny, insightful, and always a good read. He and Bad Monkey never fail to make me laugh. If you haven't read him yet, you really really should.

As I Was Passing (http://as1waspassing.blogspot.com) - Jenn is a poet, a kind heart, and a wonderful person. I visit her travels often. 

After Dinner Drinks

Why do think people blog so much these days?

The manner in which we tell our stories is as varied as the stories themselves. Some are topic specific, like political blogs. Some are a testing ground for Bigger Things. Some are a way to simply keep in touch with friends who are not living next door. A blog, while obviously a personal forum...is also a very public space. Anyone who publishes something-whether it be in a newspaper, magazine, a book, a blog-understands that they do it because there will be someone who reads it. We would all write anyway. We choose to publish it because we believe that we have something to share.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a blog?

Know that when you put yourself out there, eventually someone will read it. Pay attention to aesthetics. Make the site visually interesting. Make it easy on the eyes. Don’t burden the reader with obvious mistakes and missteps. This isn’t to say that it’s all going to please everyone. But give it (the writing) a fair shot by not mucking it up and making it harder to get to it. Be at least a little entertaining. Think of your blog like your home-you want people to get that you live there, but make them feel welcome and comfortable there as well.

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