The Art and Ego of Blogging
It’s funny, isn’t it, how we bloggers put ourselves out there on the internet. Off we go writing away and/or posting photos, etc., thinking that nobody is really paying attention to us. I’m still surprised when a random mysterious email pops into my mailbox from a total stranger telling me how much they love my stories. Or when a new commenter leaves a witty or flattering comment. Having just recently acquired my own website, I am still in jaw-dropping awe when I look at the traffic statistics and see how many visitors I have had and how many are from outside the U.S. I just *love* those spambots! When somebody new comments at my site, I always make it a point to visit their blog in return and at the very least pee in the corner to leave my mark and let them know that they, too, have not gone unnoticed. I don’t always respond back to comments on my own site. Sometimes I simply can’t top such comments and at others my responding would simply be to have the last word in a situation where the *best* last word has already been left.
I estimate that approximately 95% of my readership doesn’t comment at the actual website. Which may not be such a bad thing judging from some of the emails I receive. Thus far I have been very blessed to have witty and pleasant readers. I have yet to receive my first piece of hatemail. Well, hatemail directed TO me, as opposed to hatemail written *about* me by some pompous holier-than-thou jackass. Not that I’m aware of any such emails. [coy smile] Does a blogger need to receive hatemail before they are truly official?
A portion of my readers receive my blogs by email. They are not aware that I even have an actual website. Keeping this website location somewhat private is deliberate on my part. There are some people who know me in real life who do not need to read ALL of my essays. Sometimes, I post on the blog site and do *not* email the essay. Sometimes it is vice versa. It’s a small degree of control, but for now, it is mine to exercise.
“Write a book!”, my readers urge … well, sure, once I figure out the time and money angles, and the subject matter, and whether fiction or non-fiction or somewhere in between as my stories often are, and by the time I’ve got all that figured out the current blaze of bloggers writing books will have gone the way of the current trend of reality shows.
Bloggers fall into various categories. There are storytellers who, like me, stick to mostly entertaining essays based somewhat on exaggerated versions of daily events. Although we are also known to sometimes tackle serious subjects and to share momentary private views of ourselves in less than a flattering light. Still, we try to do so with sensitivity or humour. There are those writers who throw out controversial rants just to get their readers’ collective blood stirring. Some bloggers use their blog as a way to share the melodrama in their lives and thus elicit mass group therapy. Some folks prefer to treat their blogs as more chatty conventional diaries that detail the minutiae of their lives.
The bloggers for whom I have no respect are those who hide behind the safety of a keyboard while spewing venom at strangers or the world in general. They blog simply to create a false persona; one that fabricates a lifestyle or personality that screams their need for attention. They use their blog as a widespread communications system in which to self-aggrandize their unflinching public services, whether real or imagined. They have an obvious need to keep reminding the rest of the Blognet™ of their ongoing good deeds. You know the type I mean: “Today I helped an old lady carry her groceries to her car…”. I can’t help but wonder about those particular types. Are they trying to convince us, or themselves, of their wonderfulness? I think anybody who has been online for long enough has experienced at least one example of discovering the true person behind the cyber-persona. One of the things I hate about some popular bloggers is when they use their little splinter of popularity in an abuse of power, no matter how miniscule the “power”… and how their ridiculous little entourages of arse-kissing sycophants fan the flames of their already overblown egos. Not that I know of any such examples.
Blog writing and reading is very much a weekday activity. The Blognet™ becomes a veritable ghost town on the weekends and oftentimes in the evenings. I love my job but it doesn’t always keep me busy enough to while away the entire business workday. So I turn to the entertainment of blogs. Even on days when I am busy I feel almost duty-bound to keep up on my blog-writing, reading, and commenting. I like to let other writers know that I haven’t abandoned them …. then again, perhaps I’m just a blogaholic. Much like internet chatrooms, cliques can be formed in the Blognet™, but if you have the wit and patience it’s not that difficult to make friends in this medium.
One thing that continues to surprise me is how some of the most eloquent and interesting bloggers work in relatively blue-collar environments. Believe me, I am the last person to be an employment-snob. There are jobs I would not want to do but sincerely appreciate those who do them. Retail … restaurant … construction … nightclub … teacher. These people write so very beautifully… their grammar and vocabulary is that of an educated person, whether that education was self-taught or formal. Their wit is razor-sharp, their compassion beams pixels through my monitor. They can make me laugh and make me cry. And yet, they work in environments that I would consider to be less than that of which their writing suggests they would be capable. Of course, on the flip side (and there is always a flip side) there are those who are, apparently, employed in jobs that require a higher education and yet they do not seem capable of using a spell checker or of constructing a grammatically correct sentence.
In closing, let me ask you this. Does one ever get past the pleasant surprise of new or ongoing readership … or the disappointment at the loss of a reader?
Current Mood: 
pensive
August 16th, 2005 at 11:41 am
I had my first “drop” from my favorites, and I still can’t figure out who it was. Given that, was that person all that important to me? I mean, truly? Nevertheless, I felt a little bit like my prom date backed out at the last minute… And yes — I love a new reader/commenter. It’s pathetic how it tends to make my day. The blogger is an interesting creature. Nice writeup, DK. Very introspective and beautifully written.
August 16th, 2005 at 11:48 am
So, does this mean you don’t believe when I write about saving puppies and kittens, helping the crippled children, and curing cancer? Because it’s ALL TRUE.
I lost a reader, too, recently, and I don’t know who it is, but I really don’t care at this point. I am past the attention whore phase of my journal (yeah right, but it sounds good, right? RIGHT?). Everyone I care about still reads it.
And, you really never do know about some of the people behind these journals - boy, have I learned that one the hard way.
August 16th, 2005 at 12:08 pm
I always like it when I get a new reader, and I feel a bit sad when I lose one. Now that I’m on Blogger I don’t really know who links me and who doesn’t unless I specifically see my link (or sudden lack thereof) on their blog. I read who I read whether they link to me or not. If they link me then YAY!
I have a few blogs who have linked me because I’ve linked them even though we rarely comment on each other’s blogs. It’s not that I dislike what they write, nor do I feel they dislike what I write. It’s just a professional courtesy of sorts. I do visit each of the blogs I link, if only just once a week.
I don’t take anything personally on the Blognet, but then again very few people I know IRL read my blog. Maybe I do suck after all.
August 16th, 2005 at 1:02 pm
Nice entry. ‘Bout sums it up, really. I don’t know how many readers i have. I think probably just the people on Incredipedro. But i don’t know if anyone one else comes or goes.
August 16th, 2005 at 3:50 pm
Don’t forget another reason why you blog…to show us your forbidden meat!
August 16th, 2005 at 9:41 pm
First off I want to thank you for the compliment you paid me:
“Thus far I have been very blessed to have witty and pleasant readers” - I knew you were talking to me, you didn’t even have to address me ;O)
Second, I love when I get a new reader, totally bummed when I lose one. I would think everyone would feel the same way…? How bout you?
August 17th, 2005 at 9:26 am
Rik, you’re linked at I Hate Hippies and Communists.
August 17th, 2005 at 10:49 am
Hi.
I found you through FunkyBee. This was an amazing post. I don’t know when I lose/gain readers. I just read the comments, write back if necessary and move on. I don’t blame them for leaving though. I’m a piece of work!
You started blogging a long time ago I noticed. It’s great that it isn’t just a fad for you. Pretty cool. Seeya.
August 17th, 2005 at 12:30 pm
I try not to care if someone stops reading, but it’s always nice to get some random hate mail from a stranger. It’s what gives me wings…
August 17th, 2005 at 12:30 pm
Rik: people read Pete??
FunkyBee: Obviously I wasn’t referring to these other peasants!
Peachy: thanks for dropping by … and yes, I’ve been shooting my mouth off online (and elsewhere) for a very long time! heh…
Everyone else: thanks for all the encouragement. Of course bloggers are happy when a blogger writes about bloggers!
August 17th, 2005 at 1:12 pm
I don’t know any pompous, holier-than-thou jackass bloggers with eyebrow-less girlfriends, either.
August 17th, 2005 at 2:07 pm
I am not smart enough to know how to read things like who has me linked, and who doesn’t read me, Hell I can barely wade through the free shit from Nedstat basic. So I can only apply my $.02 as a “blogger” who measures success from comments left and new people who show up and leave comments. I always visit these people and try to leave a note, but I am alway shocked to find someone while I’m stumbling around who has me linked and I have never heard from them.
Mostly I have a short list of people who I pander too, and I love all of thier feed back, but for the most part I just like to write my thoughts down and see if anyone likes them….Becasue I know I’m my own best audience!
August 17th, 2005 at 2:46 pm
Crystal: dahling, you SLAY me! bwahahaha!!
Nightmare: Yah, I also started writing only because I like the sound of my own voice. So if you all desert me, after I curl up into the fetal position for months, sob for hours on end, eat myself into a coma, and stop bathing … then I’ll still write. If I feel like it.
August 17th, 2005 at 3:59 pm
Sheesh, talk about accolades! Check this out: http://nogooddaddy.diaryland.com/050817_64.html
August 17th, 2005 at 5:54 pm
Well written. Of course, reading through this entry, comments came to mind… but then I find it has all been said. When I started my diary I had no idea that one day I would be caring about my readers on a personal level. I would have said that to care would be quite pathetic. Well, I am pathetic, in a way which appreciates that this “community” has made the world a smaller place for me. Now I want to meet everyone
Thank you also for the noting of the “blue-collar” phenomenon. Goes to show - You Are Not Your Job…. or maybe I am jumping on the bandwagon, as I myself failed to complete highschool.
August 17th, 2005 at 6:09 pm
RDC!! good to see you dahling! I’m stunned to see you, of all people, here. I figured you’d be camping out at the airport!
If it’s any consolation, I dropped out of law school, which plenty of people could look down upon. Well, they can carpe my arse!
August 17th, 2005 at 7:19 pm
I only started blogging in December of last year but as of March I got “disciplined” at work for it. From that point forward, I have been more than a little careful on the two blogs that they know about but have ripped them royal assholes on another that I started after the incident.
I like the outlet for some of the stress I collect through my life but have been stymied by my lack of writing skills not to mention the scatterbrained way I think.
I really wanted to write a book at one point but know it will never happen, just haven’t the mentality for it.
I know I have had the rare surfer that managed to leave their mark on my blogs but it is extremely rare. Maybe I should kick out some other material but it is all that I know.
I did have a couple of repeat surfers hit but they were gone almost as fast as they arrived, not sure if I scared em off or bored the shit out of them…..
I do like seeing the comments, sorta like I’m not alone out there in the cyber world.
Anyway, I still post whatever, whenever and just surf through the others I have book marked such as this one.
My two cents.
Ultimate.
August 18th, 2005 at 8:43 am
Ultimate: so, are you going to share any of your blogs with your fellow bloggers here? I’m pretty lucky at my current job. Even if my boss knew I have a blog he wouldn’t have any issues with it. Also, as far as the time you post, you can always claim that you typed the essay during your lunch hour or at home and then just gave it one final proof-reading before posting. o:-)
August 18th, 2005 at 4:10 pm
Hi there. Nice blog. I am so new at blogging, I dont even know if I lose a reader or not. I rarely pay attention to my site meter reports either. I will try to get back here and read some more of your stuff.
August 18th, 2005 at 4:37 pm
I’m pretty new to bloggery, and I’m still not sure what I think about it (writing one myself, that is…I know I like being a lurker) or whether I’ll even keep it up. Thanks for the thoughts about it, though…I share many of your opinions so far, and it’s interesting to read the perspective of someone like yourself, who seems to have been around the blogsphere for a while. Thanks.
August 18th, 2005 at 5:11 pm
Matty: I dropped by your blog and took a gander. Funny stuff! Now you need to add comments so the rest of us can leave twisted remarks.
August 18th, 2005 at 8:19 pm
Hmmm, good question. I’m always delighted to see someone new in my abode and deep down I think I would be sad to see someone disappointed in me. I think that’s something in one’s nature and doesn’t have much to do with how long they’ve been writing or blogging. I guess people are here for many different reasons. Some want to improve their writing, some want companionship, some want validation not only of their writing but perhaps of their world view as well. Ego does come into play and I say there’s nothing wrong with that. ‘Tis all one.
August 19th, 2005 at 10:01 am
My question is whether an individual’s feelings about the comings and goings of blog-readers reflect their feelings about the comings and goings of people in their “IRL” social circle.
I’ve missed certain folks who suddenly stop posting to their blogs with no explanation, so I guess that is a form of attachment. If someone stops commenting to my blog, I tend not to worry about it much or take it too personally.
The one thing that really irks me in this medium is a negative remark left by an anonymous poster. That’s just … stupid and cowardly.
I realize lots of people keep track with site meters & such, but I personally do not. I read a flew bloggers who point out the milestones of their site meters, and I don’t get it, personally, but hey, whatever blows your skirt up.
I’m sure there are as many blog personality traits as there are IRL personality traits, and sometimes the traits don’t carry from one venue to the other, and sometimes they do.
August 19th, 2005 at 10:42 am
lol…just stopping back by. BTW, I’m not the one who left you the horribly long post! ROFLOL Have a great day!
August 19th, 2005 at 10:48 am
Fool: very insightful commentary, dahling.
Tschehn: For me, the traffic stats are a new toy. I’ve been journaling online since 2002 and never had them before! Right now I’m entertained by the newness of stats. With my short attention span, I doubt it will be long before some other Shiny Thing distracts me.
August 19th, 2005 at 6:17 pm
Thanks for the props…I’m just a greenhorn mucking about with my profile and seeing if I’m diligent enough to be a growed-up bloggaroon like y’all. I added a commenty thing today. In twelve minutes I’m off work and going to go get drunk with an old pal. So as long as my memory doesn’t desert me, I should have some blog fuel by the time I crash tonight.