I’ve been playing around with the length of my blog posts. I usually write short posts. I tried creating longer posts.
My last post was about fake cowboys. It was the long version. Here is the shorter version.
You Call Yourself A Cowboy?
Here’s my message to a couple of guys on my flight back to Texas.
If you paint your boots with puffy paint, you are not a cowboy. If you bedazzle your belt to match your puffy painted boots, maybe you best stay home.
If you have bling on your jeans, skip the rodeo. If you need to tie your hat on, don’t wear it.
A real cowboy fills his jeans with an air of freedom and a bit of wilderness. He strides confidently in worn boots. More often then not, there’s a little stubble on his chin.
He doesn’t bedazzle or puffy paint anything. He tips his hat to the passing ladies, no strings necessary.
I loves me a cowboy. All pretenders need not apply.
So which do you prefer, this post or the next?
puffy paint has no place on any human form, male or female, cowboy or not. horrid, tacky stuff!
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You’re preachin’ to the choir.
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🙂
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Paladin
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curious; if there was a movie about a cowboy, who would you cast as a (and/or your) cowboy
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This will take some thought. I think I just found my next post. Thanks.
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Personally, I like the longer, more narrative post. But then, my posts tend to be long, so I’m probably biased.
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Thanks, I appreciate your opinion. Several others agree with you.
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I definitely liked your first post better. I can imagine your disappointment in finding fake cowboys when you needed a little help.
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liking this shorter version better I began to wonder if that is also because of the previous narrative?
I would only add the a ‘real’ cowboy would normally only bath once a week.
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Can we like both posts? The first one went into more detail of how you came across these fake cowboys. The banging and dragging of your bag in the first one set a scene, not to mention needing help to lift it into the upper storage area. This one explains in a different way. Still, I like them both.
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I almost always prefer shorter.
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This is america. Let the reader be damned. go with the one you like best. they are both good.:)
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Oh my, I maybe in love.
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I’ll need to see the next before I decide, but so far, this post is in the lead.
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It’s the post before this one called I Loves Me a Cowboy.
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Yes, I read it. I wanted to slap them.
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Gentlemen so hard to come by.
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Ugh. 😦
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This one’s funnier – but I liked the long one
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Thanks. Appreciate it.
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I tend to read the shorter posts but love all writing.
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In Miami, they’re the Cocaine Cowboys.
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Shorter, and get’s to the point, quickly.
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Can I ask what puffy paint is
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LOL. It’s paint which when applied puffs up. The paint rises balloon like above the surface of the fabric, boots or whatever your painting. Be happy you don’t know this.
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The mind boggles
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LOL. I’ll take that as a compliment. I’m such a Polly Anna.
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I like the longer posts but that’s how I write. I like reading story-like blogs so the longer version of how you were bumping along the aisle painted a clearer picture and told a better story (to me). I split my time between Montana & North Dakota… LOTS of fauwboys. Shiny tight jeans? I don’t think so. And fauwgirls? You think your horse wants that bling & beads on his back?
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Don’t be too particular… there are real men who walk different paths… from real worlds! Me? I’m as big as my horizons allow…
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This is very true. My advice is be who you are. The worst you is better than the best fake.
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Shorter is always better—forces me to get to the point plus most people just won’t sit through longer posts
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I liked both of them. The other one is longer than this one but not so long that I would not have read it. I liked the other one because it was detailed. I thought this one was a fun read. Hugs
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Thanks so much. I appreciate hearing your thoughts.
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I grew up around farmers and cowboys. When we moved and I saw guys that were wanna-be’s, we called them “goat ropers”. I’m not exactly sure what you’d call these “gents” though? Haha! Thanks for the imagery though!
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I also grew up in a ranching community. And developed a fondness for dusty men.
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The long version has a lot more feeling and description to it, it puts the reader into the action so I prefer the long one.
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Thank you. That seems to be the general consensus which surprises me. I thought the shorter one would be the favorite. Glad I asked.
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Long one. The short one reads like your outline. The long form is a complete essay that has your voice.
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Thank you. I appreciate your opinion. I was doubting my ability to write anything longer than a few lines. It’s good to know my longer writing is still entertaining.
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‘I have people to kill … I am a fiction writer.’ I like it. Thanks for ‘your like’ on my post.
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Thank you and your welcome.
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Thanks for waterin’ muh horse,Gypsie. Much obliged. I can’t buy you a drink so I posted a blog story just for you. Gotta stay ahead of the posse.
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Oh my, thanks kind Sir.
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It’s like asking, “Do you prefer cookies or cake?”
Narrative and exposition are two separate categories, and both are just fine. As for length, I think short versions of either are better for blog posts, since most people skim these days (unfortunately).
Personally, I liked your narrative the most. You showed us through example what a real cowboy was not. You let us make our own conclusions. That was cool.
Hey, how about another short story on what a real cowboy is? That’d be fun to read too.
Thanks for your like, by the way.
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Thanks for your thoughts. maybe I should write a post on how a lasso wound up in the back of my closet. maybe that’s too long for a post.
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A lasso in a closet? That soundeth like good fodder for a story.
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That one’s on my list.
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What fun! Loved this, and it reminds me of a fave of mine: Lyle Lovett. Have you heard his song Long Tall Texan? I highly recommend it and have an inkling you’d enjoy it. Love me a cowboy! Cheers, Gina
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Thanks, Gina. I’ll have to check that song out. I loved cowboys so much, I worked for the Dallas Cowboys once.
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