“I am a man, and men are animals who tell stories. This is a gift from God, who spoke our species into being, but left the end of our story untold. That mystery is troubling to us. How could it be otherwise? Without the final part, we think, how are we to make sense of all that went before; which is to say, our lives?
So we make stories of our own, in fevered and envious imitation of our Maker, hoping that we’ll tell, by chance, what God left untold. And finishing our tale, come to understand why we were born.”
~Clive Barker – from the novel Sacrament
Why do I blog?
Barbara of the excellent Blogging Without a Blog asked Friday what bloggers would be doing if they weren’t blogging. I said I would probably be drawing my comic more frequently or completing one of several unfinished (hell, unstarted) novels.
The other bloggers’ answers were varied but the results led Barbara to determine that for many of us, we blog to fill a void in our lives. Which led to the follow-up entry which poses the question, what does blogging give us that we aren’t getting from our everyday life?
I hadn’t thought about this before.
After giving it much thought, I decided that I blog because it delivers an immediate response to what is oftentimes a solitary profession, writing. I enjoy the feedback, witty banter and conversation with readers. This is something that I feel is unique to blogging.
While I wrote for a newspaper for three years, I seldom got immediate feedback. Usually when readers responded to things, it wasn’t until days or weeks after the fact. Oftentimes, stories were forgotten as soon as the reader turned the page.
This didn’t bother me when the article was a ‘just-the-facts’ quick news story. However, when it was a column I’d written or something I spent a lot of time and effort on, I wanted a response. I wanted to talk to people about how the story/column affected them or perhaps hear them talk about the subject of the piece. However, when you work for a newspaper, most readers’ reactions will remain a mystery to the writer.
Typically, an author doesn’t get a feel for reader reaction until long after the book has been written. And by the time you have a feeling for what the readers thought, you’ve likely moved on to the next book.
While I mostly want to be known as an author of horror and suspense novels, I don’t know that I can give up the immediacy of blogging.
So, why does it matter what other people have to say? Chances are decent if you and I met in real life, we might never think to start up a conversation. So, why should I care what you have to say?
Part of it is curiosity about you, getting to know others, learning new things. But I must confess that part of it is also ego. I’d like to think I was above such things as selfish as ego. But, I’m not. I want to write things that you enjoy. As I wrote in a prior post, I want to create worlds where people will lose themselves. In the end, I guess, I just want to be liked for something that is uniquely me.
God, that is painful to admit. It’s like exposing an open wound for the world to see.
So, yeah, that is why I blog. Because I want you to like me.
So, why do you blog? (Since this is Barbara’s question, feel free to answer on her blog, first. Then you can come back and answer here if you’d like)
As always, thanks for reading.
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Hi Blogger Dad,
It always thrills me when my questions or words inspire others to take a topic further. Having read this post, my first thought was, “I hope he put a link to this on my blog” (you did). Even as I was asking the question, I didn’t know what MY answer would be. As with you, it was a tough question to answer, and ego is part of mine, too.
Great post Blogger Dad. Thank you for the link love.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Blogging – Filling A Void In Our Lives
Blogger Dad, as I opened up my feed reader this morning Writer Dad’s post was at the top and yours was next. I don’t like reading in the feed so I clicked through to his site. I wrote a comment I thought so clever and original. I then clicked through to you and saw the quote, and now I feel like a dumbass. I promise you I didn’t steal your quote, indeed, I’ve never even seen it before. But what it does go to prove is that many of us want the same things.
I too love the banter and the clever wit of people who comment on all the sites I visit regularly. I love the idea that someone has put some thought and effort into making a comment.
Somewhere, sometime recently (my memory is as poor as my bank balance), I said that blogging allows instant access to people of the same mindset, without the hassle of having to meet them in person and waste time deciding whether you like them. Or something like that.
This is something I want to explore further because it’s crucial to my own future as a blogger.
I did ponder why you didn’t have comments enabled with your toons, but reasoned that you didn’t want pillocks like me spoiling your creative efforts with inane remarks. Ha.
Keep up the good work BD, I’ve still got a few more ribs you haven’t managed to crack yet.
Dave Fowlers last blog post..My Hands Are Too Big
I like you Blogger Dad! And not because of what you can give me in return.
The trouble is that if you judge yourself and your writing on how many comments you receive you can set yourself up for a fall.
It shouldn’t really matter how many people visit or comment. Some just read and don’t comment or subscribe.
I’m with Dave (I seem to be saying that far too often!) I blog for the community and the fun and sometimes, I learn something new and interesting too. Like Blogger Dad has a big ego!
Tara@From Dawn Till Rusks last blog post..Are we raising a generation of wimps?
If it’s painful to admit, then you’re probably on the right track. It’s honesty we seek and we can feel it. The post I wrote this morning felt a bit too personal when I read it. I almost hedged before publishing, but I knew it was right because of my hesitation. Sometimes, bold is best.
Writer Dads last blog post..Olly Olly Oxen Free
Writer Dad,
Whew! Glad to know I’m not alone in my motivations for blogging (there’s probably a ton of your readers – more than the ten’s you claim – who feel the same way). I almost feel guilty about the need for immediate feedback from readers, but then again, this seems to be natural for artists in all manner of mediums. I suppose it just boils down to a fundamental desire to fit in and to know our expression of ideas is appreciated.
I’m like you in that I have all kinds of writing projects that need finishing too (okay, ya, “starting” would be a pre-requisite of me actually “finishing”). Blogging seems to fit the bill of exercising the skill of writing daily (although I’ve been cheating with allot of videos lately since I’m in the middle of a desperate job search). What’s been amazing, given my typical habits, is the fact I’ve been so consistent in posting regularly. There’s not much I do regularly for more than a few days, but if I don’t have some sort of post published, I feel like I’m letting people down in some way.
The biggest reason – and I think it plays into concept of filling a void in our lives – is that it’s made me more self-aware as a parent. I never intended to be a “daddy/mommy blogger,” but it just seemed to happen naturally. Looking back, I may have appeared to be a good father externally, but internally, there was always a search light on. As I started writing posts about what was going on in my life, it coincided with being laid off, getting married, staying at home with my step-daughters and trying to maintain a long-distance relationship with my sons. Through the ups and downs, my focus shifted to the undercurrents of these circumstances, which led to a deeper honesty with myself and in my relationships to include those I’ve started to make online.
As I’ve been getting acquainted with your blog (thanks to Tara), I see you have that honesty already. Thanks for a really great post.
CK Lunchboxs last blog post..We Are In The High School Musical Movie!
I’m with Tara and Dave. Blogging has bought me a whole new community of people to talk to. people who are going through similar things in their lives or people who are there each day to make me laugh when the going gets tough with the kids.
It’s a new genre of writing for me, and like you said, when I too working in print journalism, I never saw the immediate reaction of my readers to my words. Althoyugh I dont count on comments, it’s nice to read immediate reactions to what I’ve written.
I love to write. Simple as that. And I missed writing while my children were little. Now I have more time to do it and more importantrly, I’m blogging FOR ME. not for my kids, my husband or my editor. Just for me and I haven’t done anything just for me for so very long, that blogging is liberating. I love it!
Mom/Mums last blog post..Camel Toe Ted
Oh mom/mum, you obviously hit a nerve as I felt tears well up when I read your comment!! I am tired and it’s the end of a long day with a toddler approaching two!! But agreed, it’s little bit of time for me, to be me, and to be judged by what I have found to be very kind strangers. I feel like I have a new set of ‘friends’. Blogging friends. All of us different, our paths would never have crossed in ‘real life’ and probably never will. But I think blogging is for the lonely. Stay at home mums and dads, unemployed, single, whatever. It feels like there is someone else out there reading and responding, sharing and understanding. Having also been a journalist in a previous life, blogging is a completely different kettle of fish. No brief, no deadline and you can write about what the hell you like. There is the appeal. Now, if only we could all get paid for it and a book deal, it’d be pretty darn perfect!
aconfusedtakethatfans last blog post..Status Symbols
I blog for all the same old reasons; to remember stuff about the kids, therapy, etc but I also do it so that I don’t feel so isolated here in this house full of kids. Even though its reading and typing, to me it is still the only ‘adult’ thing that I do during the day unless you count the bottle of wine I drank for breakfast (kidding).
Jen, buried with childrens last blog post..30-teen?
Just some quick comments in the few seconds I have. Hopefully, there are few typos.
Barbara – Thank YOU for the thought provoking post. As for the link love, you’re welcome (though I suspect most of my readers already read you – if not, they should be!)
Dave – Thanks for your comment. As for the quote, don’t sweat it. I think your idea was different enough that I wouldn’t of thought twice about it. Besides, It’s not my quote, it’s Clive Barkers. And if he’s ticked at us both, well, I’d be honored! As for the state of your ribs, wait until Friday!
Tara – Thanks, I like you too. I know that most people who read don’t comment, a fact I’ve gotten used to. Then again, there’s lots of stuff I read where I don’t comment. Nothing personal, more often than not, it’s due to a lack of time or lack of anything decent to add to the conversation. As for my big ego, that’s HUGE ego to you, missy!
Writer Dad – Yeah, that post was painful to write. When I woke up, I was thinking, what the hell did I just write and what kind of wuss am I going to look like?
CK Lunchbox – Hey, welcome to the blog! Thanks for your thoughtful post. It’s good to know I’m not alone. You made me feel a bit less like a weenie. Sounds like you and I are in a similar boat blogging-wise and job-wise, I wish you all the best luck in finding something soon.
Mom/Mum – Thanks for the comment. I didn’t know you were an ex-journo. Glad to see you again.
Aconfusedtakethatfan – ANOTHER ex journo! Wow. I agree with your post 100% and would also love that elusive book deal.
Great point! I write to find connections with people too. The blogging world give almost instant feedback. If you stay something stupid or brilliant. Your audience will let you know.
I read Barbara’s post too, but this article definitly made me go a little depper.
Karl – Work Happy Nows last blog post..Imagination Isn’t Just for Kids
From what I’ve seen today, there are an awful lot of weenies making blog posts.
Speaking of weenies…. I can’t believe that so many of my new bloggy friends are journos or ex journo’s (I put an apostrophe in one of them so you’d think my error was just a typo) – in my old job I’d avoid you all like the plague.
I think I must be sick or something. Quick, call a doctor!
Dave Fowlers last blog post..Women’s Work: The Hardest Work I’ve Ever Done
Dave – avoided journalists? Why would you have done that? Got something to hide, Dave? It’s funny, many of the police and fire people I dealt with had an instinctual mistrust of journalists. However, once they realized that I wouldn’t burn them, they all spoke freely and trusted me implicitly.
I blog because:
Hopefully other dad’s get something good they can apply to their life from my blog.
But right now while I am still learning to be a dad, I am blogging more for the experience and the challenge of doing something I’ve never done before.
orlunds last blog post..One Legged BBQ Duck Dinner.
Oh crap! What have you done? You’ve exposed me!
It sounds sarcastic, but it isn’t really. (Honestly.)
I like reading your entries (and all your comments), and I might like you if we met. That’s one of the wonderful things about the internet…the possibility of something great happening.
Matthew Drydens last blog post..Stride
To blog or not to blog…and meanwhile, abuse quotes, type poorly, and generally act as an alternative to valium…hmm…
I blog because I can’t help writing. Every day. Maybe it’s crap. Hmm. Usually it’s crap. Don’t care. Must write.
Sometimes there are things in my head that really shouldn’t be vocalized. Someone might gain something from what I write…even if it’s an idea of how NOT to go about things. I crave connection and validation, and I can maybe get them without having to leave the house. I like the semi-anonymity of Blogopolis – I am always fully myself, but you still can’t see me, hear me, or touch me (well, not physically, anyway). There’s something bizarre and wonderful about that.
But mostly, it’s about giving the words that rattle around in my head a place to settle themselves into some semblance of order; a place for them to come to rest and perhaps not go to waste. If they make someone else laugh, think, or say “eww!”, help shape someone’s day for the better…bonus!!
Or I could have simply answered “compulsion”, but of you’ve ever seen me around Blogopolis, you’d know I can’t do short answers. Oh, well.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
Kyddryns last blog post..The Promise
One of my roles before I left was Press Liaison. Oh what an awful job. The people I dealt with wanted to know the ins and outs of a ducks bum hole. They wouldn’t take no for an answer and were amongst the most manipulative and untrustworthy bunch of people I could ever have the misfortune to meet.
They screwed me over more times than I care to admit. Once bitten, twice shy.
Those parasites I had to work with would sell their own grandmothers down the river for a story – and it didn’t even have to be a good one.
Now, notice that I speak of ‘them’ and ‘they’ – these are the people I worked with, and not necessarily ALL journalists. Just most. Tee Hee.
I must admit, my experience then is the opposite of my experience now.
But don’t let my extreme views of journalists spoil our friendship! Hahahaha.
Well, you did ask!
Dave Fowlers last blog post..Women’s Work: The Hardest Work I’ve Ever Done
Blogger Dad,
I believe that you had the courage to say what EVERYONE wants to say: we want to be liked. It’s nice to get instant feedback. It feels good.
I lost so many years of my life – as I wrote about on today’s blog – that I STILL find it gratifying to get that momentary, “I liked what you said.” But, Blogger Dad, rest assured – I like YOU. You’re a helluva nice guy with a wonderful sense of humor – you even got me to do a meme! (I know, I still owe it – but it’s coming.)
Also, I need you to transfer your email over to swanningbook@gmail.com, so that I can keep you posted. I can’t afford to lose Harold! I like HIM too!
Best,
Rita
I have no idea why I have a blog. I really don’t. I’m not even a writer by profession— just your average computer geek.
Maybe it started because my In Real Life friends told me that hearing about my life was better than watching a soap opera.
Too bad I wasn’t blogging when things were REALLY interesting in my life…
GreenJellos last blog post..I Did It Again
Hello Blogger Dad,
(I didn’t read all the comments — but I wanted to respond to the original post)
Do you like music? Do you know why we musicians perform, instead of playing in our bedroom to brick walls?
It’s because we NEED audience. How so? The music is the same, the performance is the same, is it not? After all, musicians perform to perfection, pour their souls out — in recording studios. No audience there.
Well, we do NEED audience. And a lot of us have a hard time performing as well in studios. And here’s why.
When we perform to audience, we’re not just sending out signals. We’re also receiving them. Receiving the signals sent back from the audience.
The positive energy feeds back, and creates magic.
Indeed, many musicians have a hard time creating that in sterile studios. That’s why they have to use studio gimmics to make up for the loss of magic.
A lot of performers even overlook the contributions audience makes. But not truly wise ones. Music is something we create together — performers and listeners.
There is no shame in requiring audience. We all know that life is better that way.
ari
Ari Koinumas last blog post..How to Climb Up the Ladder of Healing and Growth (Digest)
Pingback: Sometimes Thank You Is Not Enough | Blogging Without A Blog
Sorry it took so long to get back to everyone today. I’ve been busy with my job search.
Karl – Thanks for stopping by. I missed your post before. Yeah, I’m pretty sure it won’t be long before I say something stupid.
Orlund – thanks for the comment. As for still learning to be a dad, I’m guessing it’s a lifelong lesson.
Matthew – Thank you. I knew you were friendly. It must be the Canadian in you.
Kyddryn – Thank you for the comment. Good points. It’s nice t have a place for the words in your head. As they say, everything should have a place – or two. And no, you don’t write crap!
Dave – Yeah, I know the type. The funny thing of it is that most journos think that most PR people are little more than paid liars who serve only to coverup the truth. That’s probably why you got so much grief. They probably figured you were lying and felt it their duty to get around you to get to the truth. Don’t worry, I still like you. Even if you were a paid liar.
Rita – thanks. I sent you an email a few minutes ago. Hope that helps.
GreenJello – Yeah, while I could blog about a number of things from my newspaper days, I won’t out of professionalism. I wish I wrote a blog back in my days of working at a gas station, though. Those would have been entertaining.
Ari – Thanks for visiting. I LOVE music. I can sing okay, though I would love to be able to play guitar and piano better. Sadly, there is just not enough hours in the day to do all the things I want to do. Great points you made! I believe what you said definitely applies to my own work as well as that of others that I enjoy. Thanks again for visiting.
Bravo. What an excellent, excellent comeback. We’re all liars at some level and I’m thinking of ommission here, but you’re right I was paid to discover the truth and then conceal it from Journos. Ha!
LMAO
I’m glad you said that it can be an ego thing. That’s been percolating in the back of mind, and I refuse to give it form. Reading how well you articulated it make my initial thought less dreadful. Correction: not dreadful at all.
So that’s it. This explains it then – why I often feel that the banter and the discussion in the comment section is the true star of the show. The post is just the curtain raiser for the main event.
I’m more inclined now to add myself to the tens of your subscribers. You have just slain me with this post. “,)
jan geronimos last blog post..The Secret to Earning a Good StumbleUpon Review
Jan – Welcome! There’s nothing to be ashamed about to admit it’s an ego thing. All writers and artists who share their work with others do so because they WANT to be recognized for their work. I think as long as you remain true to your feelings and interested in others, it counters any of the negative associations we tend to apply to ego.
I couldn’t agree more, David.
~ Kylie ~
PS: I love your new header graphic!
.-= Kylie Doak´s last blog ..Do You Believe in Angels =-.
I will sear that on my brain so I won’t forget it. Thanks.
In my recent post, I took some liberties and quoted a paragraph of your marvelous post –
” Part of it is curiosity about you, getting to know others, learning new things. But I must confess that part of it is also ego. I’d like to think I was above such things as selfish as ego. But, I’m not. I want to write things that you enjoy. As I wrote in a prior post, I want to create worlds where people will lose themselves. In the end, I guess, I just want to be liked for something that is uniquely me.”
I’ve linked back to your post. And attributed it properly. You’re David, right?
The post I’m referring to is the one that’s showing up on your CommentLuv plug in.
Thank you, my good sir.
jan geronimos last blog post..The Lost Art of Being Silly
Interesting, which a blog should be. O r informative; maybe even humorous, if you’re really brave. Ego has to be a major part of it though. I started out a few weeks ago simply writing about bits of my life that linger still in my memories. Hopefully, my kids will follow it now and then. A sort of cyber-biography.
Whatever, it keeps the mind busy and I enjoy it. Just wish I my younger brother Geoff could read it. Cancer killed him last month.
Philips last blog post..Who Ate My Sausages?