Blogbloke on finding your "blog voice"
I'm somewhat embarrassed by my recent lack of blog posts. A few people have contacted me recently to ask "what's going on?" Thanks for the concern. I'm fine, and so's my family. The only answer I can give you is that I don't really want to publish frequent posts for a variety of reasons. Many of the topics I've been thinking about need more time and research before they're ready to share, and many times I abandon posts I start because I really can't take the time to present the topics as well as I think they should be presented.
I wonder how other bloggers have dealt with this problem in the past? Many of the blogs I've read through seem to have long "dark" periods with no posts in their archives, interspersed with periods of "serious" posts and others with little to no new content.
I'm thinking I might enjoy a more anonymous forum in which to write, throw ideas around, and "think out loud". I sometimes worry that the contents of this site might be misinterpreted when taken out of context, and then worry that my name being attached to the content will somehow have a negative impact on my personal or professional life, in some vaguely defined way. I am comforted to know that I'm not the only one who thinks this way, and am glad that what I decide to do here is ultimately up to me.
Thoughts are welcome.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
13 comments:
No apologies needed Stan.
It's not easy trying to write good original content regularly. In fact it can be darned hard. I know this from personal experience.
But I would rather see a blogger be silent for awhile rather than ripping-off content from other bloggers like so many are doing out there. Or just pushing out crappy posts.
Voicing your opinion can't avoid conflict. Sooner or later someone else is going to disagree with you. There's nothing wrong with that so long as the discussion is civil. If it's not then don't be afraid to hit the delete button.
After all it is your blog.
If you are concerned with protecting your professional reputation then you can always blog anonymously like I do. Or at least in my case I'm semi-anonymous.
We all slip up and say something we regret later. Sometimes we don't express ourselves properly, and the voice inflection gets lost in the translation. ;-)
Sometimes we don't write with the other side in mind and come across as being fanatical, confrontational or uncompromising.
That's why an apology or a correction can go a long way.
But the bottom line is if you don't have an opinion readers will find you boring and vague. They will move on to somewhere else with a little more sizzle.
Isn't the Blog Bloke great? It's hard to find inspiration to write. Luckily for me, I've got a lot of help in terms of contributors and folks who pass along links and stories. I can alternate these with my own writing and keep up a steady stream of content.
I decided about a year ago to aim for one 'real' post per week--something that I sat down and created from scratch myself. Now, I usually put out two or three narrative/longer form posts per week, but having one new thing per weeks is a reasonable goal for me. Having a podcast each week build deep content into the blog and gives me something to preview/reflect on in my blogging.
Stan,
I was so glad you joined us last night at EdTechTalk.
That was 2nd time I was invovled in a threefold broadcast... The technology is amazing. I am going to be creating a similar broadcast site for the music educators in the very near future. (I'm beta testing it now).
What did you think of all of that and the broadcast?
-Joe
Did you know that there's a park just down the road from my house called "Richard Prouse Park"? (note the spelling difference)
This is true!
How could I ever be anonyomus when some guy's named a park after me?
It's great to read your thoughts on this -- I've gone through many dry spells too, for all the same reasons you mentioned. I think it's better not to pretend I'm performing some vital public service by blogging about my life and stuff -- it's mostly just for my own benefit, and maybe some curious friends. So that takes away some of the self-imposed pressure, and guilt that I haven't written better stuff!
I agree it's best to give yourself the time and post stuff you've put some thought into. No need to sell yourself to anyone -- we all enjoy your writing and look forward to whatever you have to say.
Stan:
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Since I'm new to blogging, I am still finding my "voice." Best to you.
Dale Lewis
Ok Stan....We need another "Idiot Files" installment soon! ... :)
Seriously.... How are you doing... Are you about finished with school yet for the year?
There's a bass bag behind the universe. I've seen it.
I am removing blogs with comment moderation from my list of links.
Good luck for the future.
R (of RBB)
Hi Stan,
Thanks for your comment on our blog. Our project with street kids is based in India, but there are several similar projects in the US (and around the world). This is the link to the other US projects that we know of - you can contact them directly:
http://childsplayindia.wordpress.com/links/usa/
If you'd like to help the India project in any way, we'd welcome your assitance! We're looking for teaching know-how to start with, so you're welcome to stay in touch.
Best wishes,
Chryselle
Child's Play (India) Foundation
www.childsplayindia.wordpress.com
Nah, just kidding.
Hope to see you posting soon.
R (of RBB)
Can we have a new post please?
R (of RBB)
I read somewhere that the best writers do themselves (and their readers)a favor by not publishing everything they write. I'd much rather spend time with a well conceived blog than waste energy reading through drivel.
Post a Comment