3 posts tagged “wota”

Instead of an essay on how kawaii Koharu Kusumi is (and how strangely "moe" Chester Bennington is - don't ask), I will instead write a little something congratulating a milestone in my career as a blogger. Ever since I started this blog, I have been planning, wanting, hoping to be featured in "International Wota" (of which I consider the best of the best blogs to be featured on).

After a month, I planned to recommend my humble little blog but then I decided to wait later, preparing to write the said essay on "Kohaii" (or "Kuwaii")/"Chesumoe" and posting the results of a related survey I took around my online circle via IM and a journal (of which four said the "Valley Boy-sounding singer," one said the "bad-sounding J-idol," and four said "both," five if you count me. I'm such a cheat. The ironic thing about it is that Chester appears to be losing that "accent" I kinda made fun of him for. He's still "moe" anyway).

I was also later considering posting an entry on my growing love for °C-ute or my mellowing towards Sayumi (I disliked her for some rather frivolous reasons, after all) instead of this one. I was having it all in my head, telling myself to be honest (blame watching "Shugo Chara!" for that). Instead, when I decided to look at International Wota this morning, I was in for a big surprise...

Intlwotablogscreencap

I know the clock reads "4:16 PM" but I was just too shocked to capture this great moment when I saw it this morning (plus, I was getting ready for school). Thank you for making this young, shy blogger happy with granting her wish (especially since she wasn't the one who recommended the site). I highly appreciate it!

On an unrelated note, as reported by Jin and Hello! Online, Tsuji-chan is the mother of a healthy baby girl named "Noa" (希空)! Congrats, Nono!

4 months ago, American Wota member raysmecallado asked a very important question in regards to blogging: What Basic Premises Inform Your Blog?

• What genres in Japanese music do you write about? Girl groups, hip hop, visual kei, rock, Johnny's? Are there any genres you enjoy but don't blog about? Why is that? (Aural Candy was originally going to blog about both Jrock and pop music, but narrowed it down - to her benefit, as it gave her blog a more distinct identity.)

I mainly write about girl groups (particularly the Hello! Project and its lead group). I also wish to write about Linkin Park (hence the naming of my blog, "Morning Meteora"), among other genres like dance music, Shibuya-kei, and Europop, but I've never really gotten to it. It's partially out of fear of scaring what little readers I'll get since Linkin Park is considered "uncool" to people (then again, Morning Musume isn't taken that seriously in Japanese pop culture nowadays anyway).

• What most appeals to you regarding Japanese music? Is it the music, the image, the actual idols, the marketing?

It's a subtle mix of all four but it's mainly the actual idols and (more importantly) the music!

• What aspects do you like to write about most? Is it the music, the videos, live performances, still images? Why do you think that's the case?

I try to write about as many aspects as possible but it's mainly about the music and the videos. Why? That's the reason I like a certain group. Heck, I'm a music lover.

• What writers or other creative people influence how you blog? What do they write about and how does that connect to what you blog about?

All bloggers in general really. They write about what they want while I do that. I regret I don't have merchandise and is not exactly a true "wota" (I consider myself borderline) but what connects me to their blogs is the pure fanlove and passion they put into their blogs.

• What other writing projects do you pursue or want to pursue? Does this influence your blogging in any way?

Hmmm... I write stories and sometimes poems that are posted on my deviantART page. I'm also taking a Creative Writing class at school (which will turn into Journalism later on in the year) but I dunno if it influences my style. I just write whatever comes to my mind and my opinion in terms of said subject really. I also write little somethings on a certain topic (like the voice and its role in wota society in "Voice of the Hello! Project Idol").

• If you inhabit a specific niche - a news-focused site like Some Boys! Blog, or download-focused blog like J-MuNet - how do you decide what to share? It's impossible to cover everything, so how do you sort through it?

How do I decide? I haven't really gotten to that. I hope to be news and opinion-based in my blogging.

• Who do you imagine your audience to be? What do you feel is your relationship with your audience? Do you always give what they want, or do you ever feel the need to throw curveballs or even antagonize your readers?

I imagine that my audience, due to my focus on Hello! Project and Morning Musume, would be fellow fans/wotas (hence my reluctance to put commentary on Linkin Park's latest video, even if only one person commented on a blog entry - and it's on a ranking!). However, I mainly and try to imagine my audience as loyal readers who will understand and respect my blogging, no matter what subject it is.

What I'd want with my audience in terms of relationship is good, civil, friendly terms. I hope to express what I want to express without antagonizing anyone - I'm a peaceful soul who wishes no trouble. After all, there's enough of it in the real world so why bring it on a blog? (Then again, I'm getting myself in trouble by even blogging in the first place! Blogging, no matter what subject, is a risky thing to do. Heck, being on the Internet is risky, especially if you're my age or younger!).

• Are there any specific writerly / bloggerly tropes you employ? I rely heavily on screencaps, and often tailor my blogging around them. YODC and The Mind both use eyecandy images with little text, though the tone is quite different. (YODC is more wink-wink nudge-nudge, The Mind is more respectful.) Most everyone uses YouTube or Veoh to varying degrees. (I don't, though I'll load up my own videos.) What brought you to that trope, what do you do to keep that technique lively?