tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post1207519633968953145..comments2024-03-19T03:58:57.229-07:00Comments on Coming Down the Mountain: The Trouble with BloggingKaren Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-86387578944623239372014-07-30T11:02:51.327-07:002014-07-30T11:02:51.327-07:00I just want to thank all of you who have commented...I just want to thank all of you who have commented and/or shared this post. For some reason, it really touched a chord with a lot of bloggers. It rather surprised me, because it was so long and dealt with a lot of issues others have said better than me. I read all of the comments and I truly appreciate the time you took to share your experiences and feelings about blogging.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-27476102390033498122014-07-30T11:00:38.229-07:002014-07-30T11:00:38.229-07:00Pat, I read every word of your comment as well as ...Pat, I read every word of your comment as well as all the others people made here. I'm fascinated by what everyone thinks about blogging-- why they do it, how they've changed over time, what they hope to gain from it. Thank you for reading my blog through the years, and thank you for your insightful comment.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-74533510327130717842014-07-29T09:43:58.616-07:002014-07-29T09:43:58.616-07:00Good blog, Karen. Sorry you have the internet trou...Good blog, Karen. Sorry you have the internet troubles of a third world country. But the glorious scenery there surely compensates a little! <br /><br />My blog started out being mostly writing and travel but is now veering in the direction of my first love--art!<br /><br /> <a href="http://marymontaguesikes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Mary Montague Sikes</a> Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17417679983279135001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-72328194967693854222014-07-29T02:39:38.738-07:002014-07-29T02:39:38.738-07:00Hi Vagabonde - what a wonderful reason to continue...Hi Vagabonde - what a wonderful reason to continue blogging - as it jogs your husband's memory: that's an advantage that many wouldn't think about.<br /><br />Excellent ideas on helping him keep his mind engaged - helping you with his English as well has no doubt other ideas coming out of the blog ... that's great ...<br /><br />Looking forward to joining you on your blogging journey .. cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-52145290954109169952014-07-27T19:45:20.848-07:002014-07-27T19:45:20.848-07:00You have made an interesting move and I look forwa...You have made an interesting move and I look forward to reading more of your posts. My blog is eclectic. Lots about flowers, books, occasional travel, and lots more that pops into my head. Nice to meet you here.Terra https://www.blogger.com/profile/04396481049075747940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-23020294315094862472014-07-26T18:18:37.594-07:002014-07-26T18:18:37.594-07:00Wow! I just looked at my comment and I probably wo...Wow! I just looked at my comment and I probably wouldn't read it. Pat Tilletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17699973774273291205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-11398128989270399492014-07-26T18:17:41.061-07:002014-07-26T18:17:41.061-07:00That was great Karen! I apologize in advance, bec...That was great Karen! I apologize in advance, because this is going to be a long one.<br />My blog used to be all about my writing. Each post was a potential paragraph or chapter, relating to one of the multitude of writing projects I was working on. I fell into the trap of following a bunch of writing blogs, simply as a networking and learning tool for myself. You support them and they support you. <br /><br />After a while, I found out some things about "followers." Some of them are as phony as the day is long. They only follow you, so you will follow them, advertise for them and buy their book. You can pretty much tell who they are; based on the type of comments they leave. Then it dawned on me that most of these folks, who have no problem handing out advice on how to write, edit, publish and market their books, haven't EVER published a darn thing. If you comment on a hundred of these blogs, you will get a hundred comments back. You miss commenting on a few of their posts and you will never see a comment from them again. <br /><br />There are several writing type blogs that I continue to follow though. Not so much because they are about writing, but because I like the person behind the blog. I will always read Alex Cavanaugh’s blog. I may not have time to both read and comment on everything he puts out, but I read ALL of his posts. I like him and always find something I like there, or that I’m interested in. Besides, Alex is the hardest working man in all of blogdom. Mary Pax is much the same to me. Talk about a platform, she is a sci-fi author and an astronomer at the same time. I always felt the same way about your blog Karen. You didn’t just talk about the industry, you actually lived it. Lived it on every level and didn’t mind helping people out. There are other writers who I also really like, but this is too long already. I always liked your blog and I think I can relate more to it now, than I could before.<br /><br />Anyway, I started a photography blog at the same time. Nobody is trying to publish anything and it’s not usually based on a tit-for-tat commenting relationship. It took me a while, but I finally realize that it’s not always the content of a blog that causes me to follow it. I have to like the person behind the blog, or I want no part of it. There are blogs that I really like and bloggers that I really like, that I just don’t have time to get to. I read a lot more blogs than I comment on, that’s for sure. I comment when I have something to say.<br /><br />So my blog went from one for writing and one for my photos, to a combined writing/photo blog. Now, several years down the road, I blog about the things I like to do. Primarily, that is traveling around the southwestern U.S. looking for interesting things to do and see. There are more photos than words and people seem to like it. If anybody reads this long comment, thanks! I wouldn't blame you if you didn't.<br />Pat Tilletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17699973774273291205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-48798117199828311122014-07-24T22:45:32.748-07:002014-07-24T22:45:32.748-07:00I think for so many life gets in the way and befor...I think for so many life gets in the way and before you know it, your daily posts become weekly, then monthly. Visiting other blogs narrows to those few you absolutely love. Commenting, depends on if you have anything to add or not. It is sad to see how its all changed. Some of my favorites aren't blogging at all anymore. It makes me sad.Sabrina A. Fishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14854713472424756485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-28229681729702330852014-07-24T09:50:15.285-07:002014-07-24T09:50:15.285-07:00I read about your post on blogging on Denise Covey...I read about your post on blogging on Denise Covey’s blog yesterday. I don’t think my blog is relevant to you and your readers are you are mostly writers, and I am not, but I still thought I’d give you my reasons for blogging. I tried to explain these reasons to Denise and this is what I said on her blog “I started my blog to talk about my growing up in Paris so that when my grandkids grow up they will be able to read it. Since I don’t know if the blog will be up then I get my blog printed in book form every 6 months. But it evolved – my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer 2 years ago and has no short term memory. But, and that is a big thing, if he reads my blog he remembers our trips, and I make him read my blog to help his memory and I ask him to correct my English to keep his mind engaged. That is why my posts have so many pictures and are long. I am trying to keep him from losing his brain as long as I can. But, if anyone likes to read my posts, so much the better, because I have to stay with him 24/7 and it gets lonely – it’s nice to get blogging friends to read my blog and I read theirs.” I use moderation of comments because I receive a lot more spam than comments. Yesterday I had 78 spam comments! I don’t have any other “social media” outlets so I enjoy reading comments and try to reply as much as possible. My blog is eclectic with no platform, just what I think at the moment. I do enjoy blogging and would miss it if it went away. I enjoyed your post and read all the comments you received.Vagabondehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10774109692564954568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-10448158990003431502014-07-23T13:21:00.095-07:002014-07-23T13:21:00.095-07:00Excellent post. The blogging world has DEFINITELY ...Excellent post. The blogging world has DEFINITELY changed, and those who haven't evolved with it are definitely doomed to fail. I love your attention to real life. Too often bloggers are focused on their niche rather than garnering readers. (Not that I'm great at this...) You make a great point. Crystal Collierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912469552483168148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-48545177524428493092014-07-23T09:05:06.720-07:002014-07-23T09:05:06.720-07:00Karen you make some good points here, which I can ...Karen you make some good points here, which I can relate to, though I may have committed some of the cardinal sins you mention. I think a blog needs its own 'brand' / voice, as you say. If it's not distinctive, or if it's wishy-washy and irritating then it does lose its appeal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-30052087823339085382014-07-23T04:38:21.608-07:002014-07-23T04:38:21.608-07:00When I first started blogging and knew nothing abo...When I first started blogging and knew nothing about it, I never thought of it as a social interaction experience. I thought (and in many ways still do) that a blog was merely a place to express whatever a writer was trying to say and if people wanted to interact then they could. <br /><br />I'm still trying to figure out how to have a sizable audience who reads regularly with a core of commenting readers who stop by regularly. I guess I have that to some extent, but I'm always interested in larger audience.<br /><br />For me a blog is a great place to experiment with subject matter and play with writing. I'm not necessarily promoting anything for the time being.<br /><br />Lee<br /><a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out</a><br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-10767147880597584702014-07-21T21:07:21.383-07:002014-07-21T21:07:21.383-07:00Hi again Karen. Just popping by to say thanks agai...Hi again Karen. Just popping by to say thanks again for letting me bounce off your post. I've never had such LONG comments in all my time blogging, except when I blogged about using images.Denise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-8373011050111012302014-07-21T14:57:18.390-07:002014-07-21T14:57:18.390-07:00I agree with you, honestly. I think we all have to...I agree with you, honestly. I think we all have to attract new readers to our blog occasionally because people do get tired of our topics and move on. I do the book blurb thing (but NEVER reviews), but only to build relationships and support other authors. Even at that, I try to keep that as the minority of my posts. I'm thinking about building it into some fresh content, as well, to give people something to comment on. I personally prefer to read about other people's lives. Writing tips are nice--but anecdotes and personal stories are most interesting to me...always have been.Stephanie Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10461865229341760836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-63798121185603155982014-07-21T11:53:04.267-07:002014-07-21T11:53:04.267-07:00I've been blogging for a while, and I think it...I've been blogging for a while, and I think it's impossible to keep the same topic going forever. While self-published, I don't intend my blog to be all about that . . . ever. I try to focus on writing, life, faith, and writing topics - I write fantasy, so a post about swords isn't too out of the way for me. <br />Best wishes on blogging onward!Tyrean Martinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15356604721537744361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-34325333261567418612014-07-21T11:36:56.688-07:002014-07-21T11:36:56.688-07:00I write thrillers, and my blog does not reflect th...I write thrillers, and my blog does not reflect that because thrillers are tense and full of conflicts, and sad. Who wants to read a blog about that. I have two recurring hosts. Phyllis talks about marketing, and let's face it, things change on a daily basis. Hank write satire, which lightens my life, so I figure it might lighten yours too. I find visiting all the blogs I need to visit in a day exhausting. I'm not getting enough writing done. I'm also trying for the 3rd year, to sell our home. I don't know how bloggers like Alex C. do it. I think I need a shot in the arm. Thanks for writing this post, Karen. You've really nailed my problem. I think it's time to sit back and rethink this whole thing. Joylene Nowell Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497637513532136615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-38301091431188321582014-07-21T11:13:41.845-07:002014-07-21T11:13:41.845-07:00I've noticed most posts are kind of similar. I...I've noticed most posts are kind of similar. I only read the ones that stand out and honestly resent feeling obligated to read a "read my book" post just because commented on my post. I'm mostly taking a break from blogging and intend to build a platform to target people that would read my books, not just other writers.Tonjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08652479946102909276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-26747802185499255412014-07-21T09:40:11.164-07:002014-07-21T09:40:11.164-07:00Forgot to say this is a great post. Agree with eve...Forgot to say this is a great post. Agree with everything you say.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-72956252895620008642014-07-21T09:39:25.212-07:002014-07-21T09:39:25.212-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-85564377219037246502014-07-21T09:38:06.227-07:002014-07-21T09:38:06.227-07:00It is good to be back, Karen. And as Denise said t...It is good to be back, Karen. And as Denise said to me, this doesn't have to take a lot of time. I guess I worry about content. But there are ideas everywhere, and since I've got myself out there (thanks to WiDo!) as a memoir writer, I figure I have LOTS of topics that I'll probably play around with on Word during times when I can't concentrate on any sustained reading, and at times when I have to pay attention to Jen. Anyway, thanks for your encouragement. The one boggling thing right now is how this all connects to Google+, and the fact that I got myself scrambled with too many new gmail addresses. But for my purposes, I think it'll work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-32222132597007864042014-07-21T06:24:35.561-07:002014-07-21T06:24:35.561-07:00Great post (Alex sent me here).
I've been blo...Great post (Alex sent me here).<br /><br />I've been blogging for nine years, and it has evolved several times over. Back in 2005 when I started, blogs were pure online diaries. Very personal. But eventually, commercialism took over.<br /><br />Back then, posts were VERY long, and followers were very intense in their follow-ship. Comments were long dialogs back and forth, probably because of the personal nature.<br /><br />These are the days of micro-blogging because of the lack of attention span.Jay Noelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04757777693161610861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-57891321825675881002014-07-20T13:59:31.349-07:002014-07-20T13:59:31.349-07:00I came here via Denise Covey's blog. I agree....I came here via Denise Covey's blog. I agree. My blogging style has changed since I began too. I try to keep within a certain realm of topics. My biggest deal right now is adding more personality to my posts. I tend to be more analytical 'just the facts mamam'. As a matter of fact, I was planning an upcoming post about this in my head just today!<br /><br />Yipe, but I do tire of seeing the same basic post everywhere. Same topic is ok, but put a new spin on it.<br /><br />Oh yes, and captcha is a dirty word!H. R. Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715450637785127208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-76897535444022854912014-07-20T06:59:41.712-07:002014-07-20T06:59:41.712-07:00Hi Karen – oh I’d hate to go back to a slow intern...Hi Karen – oh I’d hate to go back to a slow internet – freaks me out when a blip occurs now, which it still does!<br /><br />Yes – can quite agree re some blogs being boring … I like the ones who write seriously about subjects and to me are of value … I go and read some bloggers with reviews as you mention eg Mason … <br /><br />I do write about things that interest me and if I’m prodded I’ll write on a subject a commenter has asked about .. I definitely do not want people to be bored by my content – they may find the information ‘too much’ – but I go with my own flow … <br /><br />Platform … I just blog – what’s next .. usually no idea …but content is essential … and topics to suit ‘my readers’ … Talli has got it right hasn’t she .. and Alex keeps garnering readers in – thank goodness for us lesser mortals … <br /><br />Captcha .. spam I don’t get a lot – but I do delete those I do, as I don’t want anyone to get caught by them …<br />If a new blogger comes by and it looks dodgy – I check them out and whisk them away as fast as I can … and I should do it for followers … <br /><br />Agree with you for the rest of the post … and am glad to read you’re not going away … and will I’m sure see you around .. cheers Hilary<br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-17943231169887510562014-07-18T20:56:16.293-07:002014-07-18T20:56:16.293-07:00Hey Karen I'm going to use this post as the ba...Hey Karen I'm going to use this post as the backbone of a post of my own, unless you come kicking and screaming at me not to!!! Denise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-28624379784853942092014-07-18T14:39:13.004-07:002014-07-18T14:39:13.004-07:00I love the blogging world and I would love to have...I love the blogging world and I would love to have time to visit all my favorite blogs everyday but I can't. <br /><br />Sometimes my internet keeps me from being able to comment like I would like to - life in a rural community sometimes equals spotty internet.<br /><br />I agree with a lot you have said. I do think a blog's voice is everything ... and sometimes it is really hard to discern. I'm interested in a ton of things but almost everything I write comes back to Him. My journey is one of finding Him in everything I do and everywhere I go. Jerraleahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04303751802364926617noreply@blogger.com