May 17, 2004
The Moody Blog Blues
Interesting take on original content, linking, traffic -- all that good stuff. It's certainly something I've pondered, especially after I've written some heartfelt bit of bloggery (like this) to nary a comment, and then get oodles of comments on what I thought was a throwaway quick-note. I've decided I'm just a lousy judge of my audience. Maybe I need to conduct a study! Think I could get a grant? Seriously, even though, yes, to a certain extent I write for myself -- both blogs and fic -- I'm also writing for "you". "You" the person who drops by once to never return all the way to the "you" that has me blogrolled and is a frequent visitor. No, it's not my job, but I do feel a certain obligation to make that click worth your while. Though whether I succeed on any given day can be quite the mystery sometimes. I've been doing this more than two years (yikes!) and I have to figure out that perfect formula. I think it's because what I write and what I write about, depends on my mood. You've got you "mood rings", I've got a "mood blog" -- you never know if I'm running red, green, blue, or black! Hopefully that means I'm not boring. No, I know, I'm not counting on it.
A hearty AVAST! to XRLQ for the link.
Posted by Ithildin at May 17, 2004 12:53 PM | PROCURE FINE OLD WORLD ABSINTHE
That's my point. Sometimes I feel like that, but other times my mood ring is another colour entirely and I angst :)
Posted by: Ith at May 17, 2004 2:08 PMI have the same comment-no comment thing at my blog. Obviously, I'd prefer to get comments on my more serious posts - sometimes I'm hoping to spark a discussion. But I tend to get comments on the trite stuff. So I've stopped worrying about which posts get comments and write whatever I want, which I think is mostly crap. ;-)
You write amusing posts, Ith, even in your angst.
Posted by: jen at May 17, 2004 3:09 PMJen, it's a gift (the amusing angst thing, that is)
Yeah, and I hear you on the wanting to spark a discussion thing. Maybe I should do what some fanfic authours do when they want feedback on a story: add a note on the post in question that says I reall really want some discussion on this one!
Posted by: Ith at May 17, 2004 3:24 PMDitto to what Paul and Jen said. I'm still a newbie at this, but stopped worrying after the first nasty email and spam comment about what I posted. Of course, those were left by Paul, so what do I know?
Posted by: Norman at May 17, 2004 3:54 PMPssst, Norman [whispers] watch out for Paul, and never ever accept a ham from him!
Posted by: Ith at May 17, 2004 3:56 PMIth, I come here because your personality and character come shining through your uninhibiting writing style .. I know I like you as a person, angsty or joyful.
I guess, for me, it's easier to make a comment on a silly subject than on a serious subject.
When a serious post is throught provoking, the words are kind of hard to find because I'm thinking. If that makes sense.
Posted by: Debbye at May 17, 2004 9:44 PMThe most comments I ever received was on a short about pitching all of my socks and buying new ones. Go figure.
Posted by: JT_Hunter at May 18, 2004 9:51 AMWhat Debbye said about thought-provoking posts. I know that often, the bloggers I frequent and I share views on most topics. So often, if you post about it, I tend to agree - and you say it so well that I have nothing to add.
Posted by: jen at May 18, 2004 5:07 PM
FWIW, stop wondering about what to do, just do what makes you happy.
Posted by: Paul Jané at May 17, 2004 2:05 PM