What I posted a few days ago did stir a ripple or two among my readers and that is perfect, because what in the heck is blogging all about if not a communal mind meld...aka Spock now and again?
The prior post may have sounded more down than I wanted. I AM a happy person. I am in the prime of my life just like Jean Brody, but I also feel the ups and down of this roller coaster ride that I am on and I do feel I am missing something.
One of my readers made a comment in response to my last post that among her goals she had hoped her blog would be more powerful, would reach more readers, would affect more minds. What a really cool idea. I had never thunk that! I probably would not have even started writing this blog if my goal had been that interesting and powerful. I would have been way too intimidated thinking I might reach hundreds or thousands of readers. I had the mind set that if a few read it and no one commented, that was jolly fine with me. I was writing for myself anyway. I would re-read posts and check over my shoulder at past ideas and learn something from my digital musings. (Besides in the very beginning of blogging when everyone, not just writers, was out there testing the waters, I had a few brief cross-postings with some rather 'liberal' young people and their subject matter was, well, I had long ago left that place in my life, so I quietly shut the door on that and assumed their blogging was more about shocking and testing the shocks than thinking. I even got to the point where I linked them to some "safety" products.)
But, other readers did show up as the year moved on! Readers did comment! And when I ventured out and commented on others' blogs I got even more comments. I started to write for my readers and not for me so much. But I soon learned that I had not entered this medium just to comment and write and then see what people said back. It is too important to treat it so shallowly. I have come to realize the personalities of some of the other bloggers and find that my feelings force me to comment on their blogs. I think that is much of the key, getting the essence of the blogger's soul.
I decided to review the history of my posts and the two top ones which each got thousands of views were titled: "Did You Know...any of these Thursday 13? #37 in a Boring Series" and "Bloody Murder at Tabor's Yard."
Besides being very poorly written titles, I am not sure why they were viewed at all, except for the bloody murder. I am sure if I had put s*x in any of the post titles that would have been really popular.
I have found when people get very personal, discovered a serious illness, have some tragedy in their family or with themselves, the comments do soar for a bit. This does not mean that the good writers fail to get comments in the three figures almost always and do not have to be fighting cancer to do that. But blogging is a crap shoot. I mean you have to be funny, sexy, and at least a little youthful to draw a crowd these days.
My readers also suggested in response to the prior post that should I make a list of what I want to change or do. I am working on that. And if it gets solidified I will share. Even if it fails, I will share that also, because then the replies will grow in number ;-)
Anyway, today is very spring-like so I should at least clean the deck. I,
It seems that many writers are currently questioning their commitment to their blogs. I came to the party late and still have a lot of enthusiasm for blogging but it seems many folks have run out of steam. I hope your batteries get recharged because I for one would miss your posts.
ReplyDeleteI like reading your blog because you are honest with what you write and don't skirt some controversial issues. The same can be said of the comments that you leave for others; it's refreshing.
ReplyDeleteComments in the triple digits?! I'm happy if I get double digits. But then I've always been a person with just a few good friends.
ReplyDeleteI figure life is about pleasing yourself, and if you hold yourself to a high standard, that's hard enough. Others may or may not choose to follow.
I think you are one of those high standards people, and I am pleased to follow you.
See my comment over on mage.
ReplyDeleteI've found that no matter what I do, if I start comparing myself to others, I fall short. For me, blogging is a sort of therapy, to clear the junk out of my head, and it has allowed me to discover interesting people (like yourself) out in the world. There are times I barely have time to write, much less comment, so I have to accept the fact that I won't have many comments, either. And I've learned that that's okay.
ReplyDeleteI feel a lot more freedom to be me on my blog than of Facebook. It is so funny that my post that received the most views in my nine years with my current blog has been on How To Peel Farm Fresh Eggs. According to Blogger that have been viewed over 6,000 times.
ReplyDeleteIt is truly a thrill to follow you and all you changes and ups and downs in blogging style. You go deep.
Blogging is an outlet for me, and it seems like you often use it for deeper things than i do. That's one reason i like to read your blog.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, and it is supposed to be in the 80's here at the beach.
ReplyDeleteI feel free about my blogging, and I have accepted that I won't again change the world. I'm just missing the notes I used to get at my other blog. Oh, well, I will recover from that too. :)
The new toilet is going in as I write, and I believe there will always be something new and fascinating around the corner.
Here you are noting me while I am noting you.
ReplyDeleteBecause of your post yesterday, I was inspired when Lonely Rivers told me about it. Hey, none of them seem to be beyond 20, nor are they Hemingway. But what fun it would be.
I find that the blogs I love reading/seeing are those who simply share what's on their mind/on their canvas/in their camera. I have little interest in bloggers who take their blogs too seriously. If they have a serious matter on their minds, that's different, of course. For the most part, I enjoy those that share a part of who they are and what they love. You fall into that category quite comfortable. Some of those I read and enjoy consistently have triple digit comments. Some almost never have any. We're all out there doing the same thing... our own way.
ReplyDeleteFor purely selfish reasons I'd prefer it if you didn't question yourself or your blog, that just leads me to think about the lack of purpose behind my blog. Now that I'm retired I hope to have time to interact more with fellow bloggers.
ReplyDeleteBut that won't happen for a while, I'm too busy being recently retired.
Lovely new picture too.
ReplyDeleteMy purposes with my blog are selfish ones: It's a place where I get to express myself and I also get to meet and to connect with a few good folks.
ReplyDeleteTriple digits? That will never happen with me... I'm ecstatic when I get more than 10!
I love the new photo - it draws you into a place of calm and quiet. As for comments, it is good to know that people are keen to interact. Isn't that part of what blogging is about - to know we are not alone?
ReplyDeleteBlessings from Dalamory
www.freda.org.uk
I love blogging. I love reading other people's blogs,too. Blogging has become an important part of who I am.
ReplyDeleteWow - that forest is so GREEN! When I started my blog, I kept it private for awhile but then decided what the heck. I'm glad I opened it to comments because I've met people from all over the world. We aren't all alike, have different interests and viewpoints, but I mostly visit people I respect. I'm interested in reading what they post and try to make meaningful comments. I learn from them. PS I will never ski in shorts - those days are gone forever!
ReplyDeleteWhat's better than having a voice and a vision! Regardless of everyone's specific reasons for blogging, I think we'd all agree that it provides the best freedom of uninterrupted expression. And it's nice when we join each other on the ride (sharing and commenting.)
ReplyDelete