tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1768680258541622888.post1490169812419212934..comments2023-09-06T11:44:47.871-04:00Comments on That's What I Was Going To Say: Blogging Advice for a FriendBryan Rutthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10472194924621675627noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1768680258541622888.post-23500799068655553482010-03-15T14:13:20.834-04:002010-03-15T14:13:20.834-04:00Oy, the doc just hit me where I live!
I don'...Oy, the doc just hit me where I live!<br /><br /> I don't know esoteric music like you do, Bryan; I just love Deacon Blues. <br /><br /> I cry when I hear that song. But then I cry at "Dancing with the Stars," and I don't even watch it. <br /><br /> Were we talking about blogging?Perry Blockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13439590071776264237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1768680258541622888.post-65648297553001611272010-03-14T01:35:13.035-05:002010-03-14T01:35:13.035-05:00People blog for different reasons. If Janine is un...People blog for different reasons. If Janine is unsure that she wants anyone to see her blog, she might want to engage in logging instead of blogging. There's no reason you need to put it on the web; you can log in your word processor. <br /><br />The two big secrets to writing, whether it's a blog or anything else, are to (1.)Have something to say and (2.) Say it.<br /><br />I write to one person - and it's usually me. Sometimes, my posts are on politics, sometimes on science, sometimes on food, sometimes on Lancaster, sometimes on dealing with disabilities. I usually blog on a religious topic on Saturday night or Sunday. If I stuck to one of those, I'd have a lot more readers, I'm sure, but enough people like the eclectic blend that my readership grows about 10% per month. Because my posts are often intensely personal, I tend to get email responses, rather than comments; people want to share their thoughts, but are afraid of having those thoughts "go naked in public."<br /><br />If I wasn't retired, I'd be more reticent about posting some of my blog entries; having your thoughts go naked in public can be hazardous to your career. That's why I suggested that logging, not blogging, might be a better idea for Janine. <br /><br />On the other hand, cowering in the corner, simpering like a kicked dog, is no way to live your life. If your boss doesn't like who you <i>really</i>, odds are pretty good that there's another boss out there that <i>does</i> like what you have to offer - and you're probably better at being who you really are than anyone else on earth. <br /><br />And it's terribly liberating to do that. I'll learn to work the saxophone, and I'll play just what I feel. Drink Scotch whiskey all night long and die behind the wheel. They call Alabama the Crimson Tide; call me Deacon Blues.Dr. Harl Deloshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17424071404764987713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1768680258541622888.post-10404287517627866782010-03-13T15:19:20.489-05:002010-03-13T15:19:20.489-05:00Thank you for adding your thoughts, Ken and Perry....Thank you for adding your thoughts, Ken and Perry. Good stuff, and much appreciated.<br /><br />Ken, I simply do not believe that anyone on the Internet would hide behind anonymity to be critical of someone else...that never happens, does it? There really isn't any such a thing as a "troll" is there?!? (B'leev me, I've dealt with 'em here, too, but never had the smarts enough to trace an IP. Putting that one in my ammo bag immediately!)<br /><br />Perry, only an "expert"? Woulda pegged you to be a "Big Kahuna o' Online Interaction" type. Another expectation shattered... Well, at least your baseball priorities are in the right place!Bryan Rutthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10472194924621675627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1768680258541622888.post-25638814726835414032010-03-13T13:17:31.772-05:002010-03-13T13:17:31.772-05:00Thank you for the opportunity to comment because f...Thank you for the opportunity to comment because frankly I am an "expert" in this field. And as an "expert" in this field, I'm happy to lend my wisdom, experience, and cuteness to any new blog writer who truly wants to learn from someone as wise, experienced, and cute as myself.<br /><br /> What I've learned in the just under 1 month I've been messin' around with a blog includes, but is not limited to, the following:<br /><br /> 1) Write while sober, or at least when you can find the PC.<br /><br /> 2) Work clean! No one wants to read a stream of 4 letter words posing as humor or candor or coolness. (I am serious about this one. Sometimes an overblown unfunny exception like "Sh*tMyDadSays" becomes freakishly successful, but I'm sure one day not long from now, guys will be writing graduate papers on how social media can be manipulated to enable "CrapLikeThisToHappen." Okay, back to a non-serious finish.) <br /> <br /> 3) If you're going for humor, be Jewish, or at least think about becoming Jewish. If you're not going for humor, think about being Jewish anyway, our membership is down.<br /><br /> 4) LET'S GO, PHILS!!!! This has nothing to do with blogging. This time of year, it's good to work it in wherever you can.<br /><br /> Thanks for the opportunity to comment. Did I mention, BTW, that I am an "expert" in this field?<br /><br /> <br /> Perry Block <br /> a/k/a Bardoron5 <br /> a/k/a Nouveau Old, Formely CutePerry Block (Bardoron5)http://wwwnouveauold.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1768680258541622888.post-56264461799592274232010-03-12T15:49:45.988-05:002010-03-12T15:49:45.988-05:00Bryan, I think your advice is a great place to sta...Bryan, I think your advice is a great place to start, and...thank you for mentioning my blog in here.<br /><br />If this is a personal blog that we are talking about...I agree...no need to find too much focus. The focus will happen, and yes...just write. If you are interested in something...chances are there are others who share your interest, whether they agree with your approach or perspective or not.<br /><br />When I write, I have a specific type of person in mind...and like you said, Bryan, you write to that one person. Don't be everything to everyone. I know I have my fans, and I know I have my detractors. So be it. I write what I write and if no one comments...I don't worry. Some blog posts are more popular than others.<br /><br />It helps to have thick skin. But if you believe in what you are doing, go for it. In the words of Nike: Just do it. <br /><br />I love getting comments on my blog, even if they disagree with my stance or are negative. I'm not arrogant enough to think I have all the answers. I love to learn from others and I have changed my opinions and stance on things based on comments from people. Dialogue is good.<br /><br />I even recently got slammed by a comment by someone using a fake name and email. They wanted to make a dig at me but didn't have the guts to do it under their own name. Based on the IP address, I know who it is. I could've deleted it, but decided to just respond and show that I can handle criticism.<br /><br />So my advice is...do it. Blog. Publish. Write. Share. Publicize. Get it out there and see what happens. All of my blogs have evolved over time as I change and as my readers shape things.<br /><br />Let me just finish with this...I LOVE blogging. It gives me a creative outlet. And whether 2 people read a particular post, or a thousand...I'm ok with that. I've put in print (digitally) something that is important to me; something that I think MIGHT matter to someone else. So don't get hung up on the reaction (or lack thereof) from others. Let it happen and let it take shape.Kenhttp://inklingmedia.netnoreply@blogger.com