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| It's 6:00 AM. I Have My Mornin' Joe and My 'Puter. Let's Go Bloggin'! |
But, then I got to thinkin' that a blog would offer me the opportunity to express whatever was on my mind on a particular day---not limiting me to just my activities. This appealed to me.
So, I started my blog. At first, I didn't know anything at all about "followers" and such. I was simply writing for the benefit of expressing myself.
After a few weeks, people started to comment on my ramblings. It was kinda' nice to see what others thought about my topics. Then, I started commenting on the posts of others, and I began to follow some other blogs of interest.
I quickly noticed that about 80% of bloggers are female. Not sure why that is, except maybe that women are more attuned to feelings and expression than men. Anyway, a few months after I was in full swing on my blog, I got a note from a woman whose blog I followed, and the note read thusly:
I don't mean to offend you, but my blog is for women only. Also, to honor my husband I would appreciate it if you would remove yourself from my followers.
Well, this was certainly a jolt to me. Fortunately, this turned out to be the only time anything like this occurred.
What started off being a leisurely way to express myself on any subject at any time, soon evolved into a world of its own.
Some observations:
---Bloggers are more intelligent than the average bear
---Family and personal friends seem to actively avoid reading my blog
---Most bloggers are extremely supportive of each other
---Most blog posts are upbeat and optimistic in nature
---Bloggers are incredibly attuned to political correctness
---Bloggers are a faithful bunch
---Blogging is like building a scrapbook of your life
---I occasionally "hit a wall" and writer's block rears its ugly head. I have to "get away" for a few days when this happens.
---There can be a temptation to write in such a way as to appeal to others. I resist this because my blog is, foremost, a recording of my own demented mind....and I don't want to appear to be sane.
Why do YOU blog? What are your thoughts?
That's a good question. I never intended to have my own blog, just to read others' postings. But then, it just kind of caught me.
ReplyDeleteI don't have the chops to be a professional writer, but I can write a blog and satisfy the need to express myself that way.
Why? Because I wanna show other people a little bit from "my island", the place I am living now, and for my friends in Canada and Germany what's going on at my place.
ReplyDeleteNow, I am happy that I started, because I met new people, made new friends and I like to share my thoughts.
Greeting to your place and take care
I blog because I wanted my girls to know the real me the stories they have not heard. Stories I wish my Dad had of had time before he died to share with me of his life and what he really thought. I did not want to try to fit them all in while I was dying like he did. He had lots to share and ran out of time.
ReplyDeleteClint you are so right blogging friends are the best of friends. I have gained so much more than I would ever imagine in support and friendship by blogging. My girls love it and I am happy. Great post. B
You are a great blogger Clint and I enjoy reading your mind. I don't know why I blog.
ReplyDeleteI started blogging at the urging of some friends who knew nothing AT ALL about farming. They would tell me that it was like "National Geographic" when I would talk about farm life. So...I began about 18 months or so ago, and love it! I don't have the time to read nearly as many as I'd like, or comment on nearly as many as I should, but I do love hearing what people have to say about what I write! Isn't it funny how we feel like we all really get to know each other...just by reading about each others' lives?!
ReplyDeleteHello Clint. Six years ago , some seven years into widowhood I happen to read a blog by the lady manager of Paul McKenna whose self help books put me on the right track of life. I had no idea what a blog was or about followers but thought I could start one so I did. First I wrote about who I was and about my life, I was living in Spain at the time. A couple of years later I had my first follower followed by more. I soon got into the swing of things Then in 2010 Arlee Bird did his first A to Z challenge and I got even more followers......some still comment to this day.
ReplyDeleteWell it's now coming up to my third A to Z Challenge and am so looking forward to it.
The many friends I have made on line is remarkable, although I live alone should I feel low and lonely there is always someone on line somewhere in the world.
Yvonne.
Totally cracked up at the family and friends avoiding. You would think I was selling Amway or something. Oddly, I originally wrote my blog for them as I had stories that they knew nothing about and thought they might enjoy. One family member is a regular, the rest have zip interest.
ReplyDeleteAll your observations are spot on.Bloggers are the nicest people.
I started out basically to have a self-help blog that would also help others living on a small acreage with a bunch of "critters". It seemed to have blossomed out from there, although I still sometimes question why am I doing this. The blog has grown to include 77 countries and 100 followers, but I find that most do not comment. I guess it has evolved into a sort of diary. My Testimony has received the most comments, and i hope that I have given a few people some hope and maybe inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 blogs and a web site that are all connected. I started out working on becoming a photographer and learned blogging was a good way to advertise. So I set up Greetings from Monmouth County with photos and the story behind them. My web site is basically for my portfolio- I need to scrub and add some work out there.
ReplyDeleteI was reading the Bible one day and got so encouraged I thought, "Everyone should know about the Bible." That's how I started Hope Faith & LIfe. Then I realized it was also an opportunity for me to stretch my artistic skills. So I started adding in artwork and photos. It's challenging. Both blogs are helping me find my voice as a writer. I'm a photographer, writer and artist which is my career now.
Blogging has given me the opportunity to meet some great people. You can find blogs in any area you seek. I'm thrilled to know published authors now. My experience has been very good. Glad I got to know you Clint!
Mine originally began as a recipe archive and collection of stories about people I had known or met through my hobby of cooking. It was meant for my daughters. It is still that but I now have more children:-). I hope all is well.Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeletegreat post clint! i agree with your list. when i started i had no idea what a blog was. my friend said i should start one and put my recipes on it. then i started reading other blogs and began to document daily musings and meanderings. through blogging i've connected with so many open, like-minded people. i think we all crave those connections, which keeps me blogging. who knows if my blog will be around, but i like to imagine my niece all grown-up, going back to read her aunt kelli's old blog.=) just in case, i've been putting stuff down on paper and scrapbooks too.
ReplyDeletesounds like that woman and her hubs had some trust issues. it is interesting that more women than men blog, though i've noticed there are a lot of male gardener bloggers. oh, and lots of mormon bloggers!
Why Clint, to meet other wonderful people like yourself..........(smile) and Cindy. Besides I used to have a typewritten newsletter about my and Mike's life together and just naturally morphed into a blog version once I found I could do it. The other is to show my art, get support and critiques to help me find my artistic talent and grow. Sometimes just to rant or share some cute story or tidbit of information. Whatever the reason I am blogging for at the moment you can be sure it is ever-changing and hopefully interesting to someone out there in blogland. Hugs to you and Cindy.................:)
ReplyDeleteIf you are not a blogger and you tell people about blogging and that you have some great friends - they don't get it. But now that you are a blogger - isn't it wonderful? I mean the friendships are they best. I love my blogger friends. sandie
ReplyDeleteClint, that was a good article. I never thought I would have a blog. My wife has 2 blogs and I never really had an interest. Until, one day I decided to start sharing what I have learned over the years about gardening and my Savior. I figured they both could go hand in hand. I have noticed that must bloggers are the nicest people I have ever met. I have had 1 negative comment, but that's okay, that's why we moderate, right! I love sharing and also learning and you are right must bloggers are very intelligent. We just have to overlook spelling! LOL
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Clint
Hi Clint,
ReplyDeleteThe reason I blog is to share Jesus with people. I want to encourage believers and also hopefully some unbelievers will read what I write and a seed be planted. I also enjoy making friends and hearing what others have to say.
Blessings,
Ken
Lovely post, Clint... And, I agree with everything you wrote here about your observations of bloggers. Intelligent... and all that stuff... ha-ha!
ReplyDeleteI must add this... most bloggers are deep thinkers, and many bloggers have staying power!
I always enjoy reading your posts, and Cindy's too... Well, just to let you know, it is always a delight when men also leave comments on my blog. It's a free universe, right?
BLessings
Lidia
Lovely post, Clint... And, I agree with everything you wrote here about your observations of bloggers. Intelligent... and all that stuff... ha-ha!
ReplyDeleteI must add this... most bloggers are deep thinkers, and many bloggers have staying power!
I always enjoy reading your posts, and Cindy's too... Well, just to let you know, it is always a delight when men also leave comments on my blog. It's a free universe, right?
BLessings
Lidia
Lovely post, Clint... And, I agree with everything you wrote here about your observations of bloggers. Intelligent... and all that stuff... ha-ha!
ReplyDeleteI must add this... most bloggers are deep thinkers, and many bloggers have staying power!
I always enjoy reading your posts, and Cindy's too... Well, just to let you know, it is always a delight when men also leave comments on my blog. It's a free universe, right?
BLessings
Lidia
I awarded you the versatile blogger award! Congratulations. Visit my blog to accept!
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice post. After you hadn't posted for a while (seemed like a long time) I wondered if you had stopped blogging. Glad to see you are still doing so.
ReplyDeleteYour observations are so correct! I do wonder why family members avoid our blogs???
I blog because I need to express myself. I like to write. I don't like to write about deeply personal things, but I love to write (and read) good stories and events.
Clint, what a great post, Bro; and a great question - why do you blog? Not actually sure I can answer that question fully, though. For one thing, I have not been as faithful to it as I at first intended. However, that is one of the things I like about blogs - you can leave it lying dormant for a while then pick it back up. Better to keep it alive, though.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am a bit scattered! I "have" eight blogs! One is a "group blog" that I nearly always forget to contribute to; one is actually more or less obsolete and I should delete it.
The other SIX I really want to keep going.
In any case, I ALWAYS enjoy reading your mind. I just need to be more frequent and visible in my responses to that enjoyment.
Shalom!
Ed.