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Posted by: David Spinks - 21 June 2010 / 10:29

Welcome to the first post in the renewed Behind the Blogs series, where we take a moment to get to know the bloggers in the Scribnia Community on a more personal level.  We’ve read their words, but now it’s time to learn a little bit about the person behind the keyboard.

Today’s interview is with Henrik Lamark who writes for Tights and Tiaras,  ”a blog introducing outsiders to the world of ballet through the voice of a male norwegian dancer.”  If that doesn’t make for a unique blog, I don’t know what does. Let’s get to know a little bit more about Henrik…

Hi Henrik!

1) So why did you start blogging? Has your reason for blogging changed?

I started out because I felt I had something to share with the world, really. Through years, I’ve met so many people that, when told I’m a ballet dancer, they just don’t know what that means. Some might make some funny remark (usually turning, with their hands above their head in a sad attempt to imitate a pirouette or something down that road), but most are curious, asking what I do on an every-day basis, what it’s like, being a dancer.

I realized, most people don’t have a clue, and that a blog would be a good way to tell the world what we do, so I started out. I guess I have a little writer in me, I liked working on new features, I started up some of the columns on the site, and little by little, I built what is today Tightsandtiaras.com.

The reason for my blogging stays the same, I still feel I have more to contribute with. But I’ve discovered other reasons as well, and I am really enjoying participating in the communities around my, and other great pages on the web.

Every comment on my site, every retweet on Twitter (I’ve gone from a harsh critic of Twitter to an active tweeter) and thumbs on Scribnia gives me inspiration and new reasons to continue writing.

2) Interesting…and what do you have in stock for the future of your blog?

I just started collaborating with two other amazing authors, David Hunter from Ballet for Men and Catherine Tully from 4dancers, and we’re planning some really cool features. It’s all still quite secret, but we’ll be coming to a page near you soon, so look out for us! : )

Lately I’ve been adding some features for dancers to my site, and I wish to expand the site further to reach out to more people. I’d love to see Tights and Tiaras working as a portal to people that want to get to know more about what I do and the world of dance, and at the same time be a place where dancers meet up and discuss and share topics. It’s hard to achieve interest on both sides of the “line”, but I still have some aces up my sleeves.

3) What is one unique fact that your readers don’t know about you?

I’m a mean poker-player?! At periods this season I have won amounts nearly matching my salary by playing cards with my colleagues. But then again, the beer-bill increases as well, and we’re nice guys, the winner pays the tab : ) Another thing they might not know is that I don’t have a TV, never did. Last time I lived in a house with a TV in it was 6 years ago.

4) How do you define success?

Success relates to goals. Everyone has their own goals and self-expectations, and success is to reach those, or sometimes, the strive for those goals itself is a success. For me, success is to develop. As long as I’m learning new things, meeting new people, seeing new perspectives, I’m successful in not stagnating my development as a person. I always try to keep an open mind, but it’s harder than one ought to think, sometimes.

5) Where is your favorite place to go to write, read or think?

I take notes on thoughts and ideas that comes to me throughout my days. I find much inspiration in other people, both around me, and in other writers and bloggers on the net. I try to keep my eyes open, and to relate stuff I’m seeing to Tights and Tiaras. When I have the time (dancers are normally on a quite busy schedule with rehearsals, long days in the theatre, and performances at nighttime) I sit down with my computer, usually with a great mug of tea, and write out several posts at once. Then, I let the posts ripen for a while, maybe making some changes in free moments, before looking over it again before it goes up on the blog.

6) What are 5 things you want to do before you die?

1. I want to travel. A lot. I’ve been fortunate to have been to quite some places already, mostly touring with a ballet company, but I want to see a lot more. I want to die knowing that I’ve seen as much of the world as I could!

2. I want to have that “wow” moment, on stage, where I just suddenly realize the meaning of all, the beauty behind all the hard work. Think I’ll be searching for that one still for some while.

3. I want to have a child. I think the ability to get kids and raise them to become great persons is a divine ability. I want to love, and be loved.

4. I want to help someone reach their goals in life.

5. I want to drive a mean motorcycle : )

7) As a male dancer, you’ve spoken on your blog about how you are sometimes the victim of insults or ridicule. Do you get a lot of trolls commenting on your blog and how do you deal with them?

Actually, I haven’t needed to deal with negative comments at all. I guess people that isn’t interested, or would write negative comments, simply don’t get to my page while surfing. I’m happy not having to deal with it yet, but I wouldn’t have a problem with it either. I find answering people honestly and straight is the best killer of all critique – you can’t really criticize male dancers as a group without generalizing a lot – we’re just as different from each other as any other group of people.

Thanks so much for sharing your story with us Henrik. Keep up the great work.

Be sure to check out Henrik’s blog here, and you can review him here.

If you know of an interesting blogger/author that we should interview for the Behind the Blogs series, or if YOU are that blogger, send me an email at David [at] Scribnia.com

Tags: ballet, Behind, blog, blogs, dancer, henrik, lamark, male, norwegian, Scribnia