Comments on: Blog Like a Person, Not Like a Cyborg

By: Rebecca Kelley

Rebecca Kelley — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 21:25:36 +0000

Weird–I just read this post today and last night I was going through my old posts for the hell of it. It’s like we’re the Wonder Twins. (I maintain Lisa’s the evil one.)

By: Eric Engleman

Eric Engleman — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:00:46 +0000

Jeff, That’s a great writer’s trick.
I used to work at CNN where you would need to write for different network styles and different anchors. You were always writing in a different “voice.”
As a blogger, people generally write in their own “voice.” After a while you can get tired of being yourself.

By: chipseo

chipseo — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:10:19 +0000

the last one is the best… take a vacation. I think we would all be better writers if we went somewhere. Anyone got that last minute fare feed where you can fly for free

By: Jeff Quipp

Jeff Quipp — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 03:16:36 +0000

Hey Lisa … have you tried pretending you’re another person just to initiate thinking about things in different ways? Oooooh could have some real fun with this one … in fact tomorrow I’m gonna be you for a day … it is halloween after all.

By: Dr. Pete

Dr. Pete — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:49:39 +0000

I know exactly how you feel, Lisa. One thing I’ve found lately is that I’ve stopped reading the establishment blogs so much and have started watching the up-and-comers. They just seem to have more energy and passion about their subjects, and that gets me energized and wanting to write for the sake of the subject and not the link-love.

By: Eric Engleman

Eric Engleman — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:53:36 +0000

Wow! I think there’s a malaise going through the industry.

This is an excellent point and reflects the maturation of the “blogging industry.”

I call this the “bolo ties to Armani suits” effect. I’ve seen this a few times in tech and other industries. First people where “bolo” ties or flip-flops. Eventually, the Armani suits arrive.

For some blogging is now becoming a business and for some a big business. Making money from blogging is great. But this money also changes people’s motivations about blogging.
Your right on with your first point…”Write for Your Community, Not for Its Overlords.”
I constantly check out the Bloglines Top 200 (shameless self-promotion- I work on Bloglines) http://www.bloglines.com/topblogs

I’m always amazed that the Shiftedlibrarian does so well. The same is true about Joel on Software. These two blogs really have a voice and it’s directed toward a community.
I’m always surprised by the success of these two blogs among the Blogliners community. But it makes sense. There is only one shiftedlibrarian and lots of Overlord wannabes.

By: Carolyn Grantham

Carolyn Grantham — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:49:36 +0000

I like the "act like a writer" tip; since I've been blogging (mostly for my own creative pleasure), I've become more likely to try new activities and go different places, in part so I have something fresh to write about.

Of course, sometimes this makes me wonder whether I'm creating the blog or whether the blog is creating my life(!) but it has made me more motivated to talk to people, ask questions, get background; I'm more observant, less passive, than before.

By: DazzlinDonna

DazzlinDonna — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:52:48 +0000

Oh, Lisa, there are days I’m ready to just pack it all in and never say another word. When you said, often feel like we’re being talked over, that we feel like no one cares what we have to say, it really hit home. I feel like that fairly often. Maybe I should take a little more time off than I do, but I feel guilty when I do. /sigh. Wait, maybe I’ll go shopping. Then that guilt will override the other. LOL.

By: pat

pat — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 03:45:31 +0000

A couple thoughts...

1) What's a "desk"? 2) People write when their sober? That explains soooo much. 3) I like it hugely that you write.