Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Question 004 Would I follow My Own Blog?


Question 004 
From Anonymous
“If you were an outsider looking in, what would you think of your blog? Would you follow it?”
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Before I get started, I have to admit that I wonder why all but one of the questions have been anonymous (there are a few more I haven’t answered yet). I’m not going to take offense at anything that might be asked.
Okay, here we go…
At risk of sounding like I’m blowing my own horn, I like my blog. I like blogs that are like my blog.  Here’s why:
My blog includes several things that I really like.  It has true stories, photography, poetry, rants, and humor.  What you see, is what I see, feel, and have felt, in my personal life.  I think I’ve struck a balance in what gets posted.
  • I'm not obsessed about having scads of followers.
  • I don’t “pigeon hole” my blog for one type of follower. 
  • You never know (because I don’t) what I’m going to post.
  • I don’t post “filler” blog entries.
  • It's a place where writers, photo geeks, humorists, and poetry lovers can all peacefully co-exist.
  • I don’t post inflammatory political or religious statements. I won’t avoid the issues, but I’m not going to bring them up here.
  • I keep it fairly clean.
  • Most of my posts are fairly short. 
  • First and foremost, I have had both the good and bad fortune to have lived a very interesting life. Many things that have happened to me fall under the truth, stranger than fiction heading. 
  • I don’t think I’m a great writer, but I can tell a story, so that’s what I do.
  • I fully realize that a percentage of my posts don’t appeal to everyone.  Another percentage of them suck.
One of the things I LOVE about my blog is the varied group of people who follow it.  I genuinely like and feel close to many of them. 


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49 comments:

  1. I agree-your blog is great and caters to so many different followers.
    And I would add that if anyone ever asked me what my fav blog was I would have to honestly say my own.

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  2. Good post, Pat! I'd like to think that a few of your points apply to my blog too....except my life has not been anyway near as interesting, yet :)

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  3. Pat, agreed on all of your points. If I were you, I would also follow your blog. Instead, I have to settle for being me and following your blog.

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. The reason for the Anonymous thing is because that is Formspring's default. Unless you are signed up with them, AND currently logged in, it automatically posts it as anonymous when you hit the send button. I wondered the same thing when I first began using it until I posted a question on another's blog and it didn't show my information - turns out I wasn't logged in at the time...

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  6. I, for one, love your blog. I love that you write what you love, no matter the subject. It's real:) And I love your stories.

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  7. I wuv your blog, Patrick and would follow it to the ends of the earth (but you are going to have to provide snacks.)

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  8. I have to agree with everything you have said regarding your posts!
    But haven't seen any of your posts that 'suck' yet, you must hide them well.

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  9. Actually, it's a great question. I went into brainlock after you posted it because I stopped and started thinking,

    "Would I read my own blog?" and then "What do I like about it?"

    The reasons you provide w/ respect to your posts & overall blog are fair, reasonable and personal. You do provide a nice "slice of life" and it's interesting perhaps more so because you juxtapose the good with the bad.

    I write two blogs and I think one of the reasons is I do want to be political on one of them but not both. I am more issue oriented and very political on "Women of A Certain Age". I am more personal on "Empty Nest Evolution". Yet both blogs ARE personal and both fill needs I have to express myself and/or the artistry of others.

    I have been toying with the idea of consolidating them but don't feel I should tho' I was unable to say why. AFter reading this post, I think I know why.

    Thanks!

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  10. Unlike you I like blogs that are not like my blogs. Come to think, it's not easy to say why I like one blog and not another. I think it has to do with the "atmosphere". And here it is brilliant. :)

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  11. I agree with you on most accounts. (Except I've not lived a really interesting life, but that's okay.) My blog attracts the most eclectic group of followers. I look at other author and writer blogs and think wow, mine is so different. But that's cool, because it's mine!

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  12. Of course you would follow your blog as you seem to be a man of taste and intellect. Next question for Pat!

    Darryl and Ruth : )

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  13. I like your blogging philosophy and try to follow these points pretty much in my approach to my own blog. The bottom line is that my blog consists of the same kinds of things I would want to read about on other people's blogs. And I don't want to read about the same stuff all the time or anything I have a difficult time relating to.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  14. Dude, I am a fan of your blog. So i can answer the question better than you. I agree with all your bullet points except the you not being a great writer. The emotions you evoke with a few choice verbs nouns and adjectives is incredible. Never miss a post for a reason.

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  15. since i am completely self centered, i am going to turn this to me.... i did the same thing and asked if i would follow my own blog or not.... i don't know.... i really don't.... it's hard, because i know these people don't know me.... what if i was making all of this up? you know? however, when i started my blog, it wasn't for others, it was for me.... i think you're at a point in your life where you don't have to write for you.... you have amazing stories, and have lived a long and adventurous, (to say the least), life, and many people will enjoy your stories, because they are indeed phenomenal and very well written. you can relive moments as though they were just happening all over again, and you really pull us all in.... i on the other hand, relive the moment that i was in.... i'm not entirely sure it brings everyone into the moment with me, but i relive it exactly the way i felt it happening, and i have found that many people don't feel the same way that i do, HOWEVER, SURPRISINGLY, i have found many people who CAN relate to the feelings that i thought no one else would.... i am much more emotionally driven, and you are not entirely emotional, so i think your stories are told and related by a very wide range of folks.... the sensitive ones (like myself) will get all emotional and just imagine how you were feeling.... the tough ones will imagine you fighting, and how they would be in the same situation.... others will live vicariously through you and think you're completely nuts.... some may be stuck in a low point of their life and think there is no way out, and then read your blog and realize there is!!!!!!

    you have a wonderful blog. i would follow your blog even if i didn't know you, because i think it's wonderful.... however YOU in real life are even more wonderful than your blog.

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  16. since i am completely self centered, i am going to turn this to me.... i did the same thing and asked if i would follow my own blog or not.... i don't know.... i really don't.... it's hard, because i know these people don't know me.... what if i was making all of this up? you know? however, when i started my blog, it wasn't for others, it was for me.... i think you're at a point in your life where you don't have to write for you.... you have amazing stories, and have lived a long and adventurous, (to say the least), life, and many people will enjoy your stories, because they are indeed phenomenal and very well written. you can relive moments as though they were just happening all over again, and you really pull us all in.... i on the other hand, relive the moment that i was in.... i'm not entirely sure it brings everyone into the moment with me, but i relive it exactly the way i felt it happening, and i have found that many people don't feel the same way that i do, HOWEVER, SURPRISINGLY, i have found many people who CAN relate to the feelings that i thought no one else would.... i am much more emotionally driven, and you are not entirely emotional, so i think your stories are told and related by a very wide range of folks.... the sensitive ones (like myself) will get all emotional and just imagine how you were feeling.... the tough ones will imagine you fighting, and how they would be in the same situation.... others will live vicariously through you and think you're completely nuts.... some may be stuck in a low point of their life and think there is no way out, and then read your blog and realize there is!!!!!!

    you have a wonderful blog. i would follow your blog even if i didn't know you, because i think it's wonderful.... however YOU in real life are even more wonderful than your blog.

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  17. I thought I'd try something different and reply to comments via email. Then I realized that I was having trouble keeping it all straight. So, some of you will get two replies.

    Ren, Nat, Rabbit, Nancy, Betty and Joe - I know I sent something to you via email...

    Soft Nonsense - See? Now I've caused you to have an identity conflict. I'm loving your blog right now!

    California Girl - thanks so much! I understand about the combining of blogs, because I did it here. A lot of my photoblog "followers," didn't follow me here. It all seems to be working out and it's SO MUCH EASIER to have only one blog. But you may be right about not combining your political stuff with your regular blog...

    RA - I think you hit on something there. Atmosphere...

    Alex - You are right about your followers. Simply put, people follow your blog because it's great!

    D & R - Thanks! I've been called a lot of things before, but never those two!

    arlee - I agree, I think it's good to mix it up. But then again, I follow some blogs that I really love that are very consistant on what they post. So go figure...

    Jesse - I really appreciate the nice words. The worst thing about my writing is I'm TERRIBLE at proofing my own stuff. My brain just corrects it in my head and never tells me about it...Then I notice at a later date that I have typos and other things and it makes me cringe...

    Ashley - You just set the record for longest comment ever on my blog. Prize to be determined at a later date. I agree with what you're saying, you are a very emotional person and it comes across in your blog (and your life). I think people like the fact that your blog does have a lot of emotion in it.
    Thanks for the nice words! I love you to bits!

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  18. I really enjoy your blog, there is always something interesting and I really like your photos!

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  19. Well said Pat, I am proud to follow your blog for the reasons you mentioned above and in addition the biggest reason I follow you is because you make feel welcome here, at home so to say and as Joe said I haven't found any of your posts that sucked.

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  20. Well, I love your blogs! I love the way that blogging comes so naturally to some people, while I struggle to write a proper post.
    I can talk all night by e-mail, back and forth, but when it comes to blogging, I am totally lost!
    I've followed you for so long now that I forgot how it started...I think it was your Photo Blog first, then reading about your childhood, but then I was warned off about talking too much about myself at times!
    Not, that I ever write that much about myself...but that is a long story going back to when I used to have another blog and was being bullied. It sort of shook my confidence a bit, so I hardly write anything about myself anymore.
    I like a good range of things that you write about, and yes, I am a bit envious!
    Just keep on writing!!!

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  21. Yeah dude.....you've even got a scrapbooker/card-maker totally luvin' your blog! :)

    If you get a minute, sneak over to mine and check out some more pics I posted last Thursday/Friday. You might like some of them. I can't compare to you as a photographer...but I keep on trying anyway! :)

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  22. I would follow your blog (oh wait, I do) and I would follow mine. I write things that help my writing. I write for me and if it helps other, bonus! I hope people find things that help them.

    CD

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  23. Yes I would follow my own blogs because on one there's a giraffe and a variety of posts and comments (of which I can't take credit, posts yes, comments no) and the other because you never know what you'll get, and I keep the posts really short on that one.

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  24. As posted above - I agree with everything you've said here save the not being a good writer. You are not a writers writer - you are better, a peoples writer.

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  25. Very well said! I look forward to your blog updates on my reading list

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  26. Brian - thank you much!

    Jimmy - Thanks for the nice words Jimmy. The welcome mat is always out for you.

    Alice - You are right, we've been back and forth for a long time. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Just do what you want! Thanks so much for the nice words and for your continuing support.

    Marlene - thanks Marlene. I've been over and your photos are great. To me, 75% of photography is having a good eye. Looking at your pics, you already have that.

    Clarissa - I agree about your blog. It's chock full of valuable information. I've used it as a resource more than once. thanks!

    KerenG - I only know of 2 that have a giraffe. I like your blog a lot, I'm a sucker for family histories also. So there's a lot there for me.

    Jhon - Thanks Jhon, I'm kind of coming to terms with the fact that I'll never be a writer in the classical sense, but I do write in a fashion that I like to read. I really appreciate ongoing support you give me.

    baygirl - Thanks so much. There is plenty more to come...

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  27. Pat your blog is great and I follow it for the reasons you list plus the ambience. And I agree with others...your writing is your style and for that it is great! I think Ashley said everything else above...

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  28. Hi Pat, I would follow my blog IF I enjoyed a 'variety' type like mine (including photos, our travels, hiking/waterfalls, our home, family, Family History, flowers, birds, etc.)

    The thing which is most important to me is my commenters. I don't care about the followers although I do appreciate those who come to my blog. I will comment back on people's blogs who comment on mine. It seems to work for me...

    I enjoy your blog, Pat... You obviously have alot of great followers.
    Betsy

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  29. Chuck - Thanks my friend! You are one of the great folks I was talking about...

    Betsy - There's a lot to enjoy at your blog Betsy. You've got a great following. Plus I learn alot about plants there..thanks!

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  30. Let's be honest..of course we would all follow our own blogs because we write what we know , what we like and our experiences. It is genuine and real to us and it means something or else would would not waste the time doing it. It is not just for folly for most of us. It serves some purpose or another for everyone whatever that purpose might be. It is the bloggers of the world who want and need to connect to others.

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  31. Let's be honest..of course we would all follow our own blogs because we write what we know , what we like and our experiences. It is genuine and real to us and it means something or else would would not waste the time doing it. It is not just for folly for most of us. It serves some purpose or another for everyone whatever that purpose might be. It is the bloggers of the world who want and need to connect to others.

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  32. I follow a few blogs. I may not
    comment every time, but that is just
    my nature. Always enjoyed your blog..
    the stories as well as the photos.
    It is always a pleasure.

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  33. If I were you, I would follow your own blog! If that makes any sense.

    I love your blog. And I especially like your refusal to post filler posts. I hate filler wasteful posts.

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  34. Very well said, Pat.
    I heart you/your blog.
    Your site is one of my favoutites.
    Your post always have something meaningful to say.
    your writing is excellent and poignant.
    Keep on writing....

    B :)

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  35. It's interesting that the question is anonymous. You have a very interesting blog and you know it.

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  36. I love your blog. For all of those reasons and I feel like my blog is similar. I tend to grow bored with blogs that are only about one thing, ie, Mommy Blogs and Mili-Wives.

    I also feel like my small group of followers would not really be interested if I adapted a "format" for my blog. I am much like you...if it pops in my head and I want to write about it then it goes on the blog.

    I guess, honestly, my blog is written for ME. Do you feel the same about yours? Maybe that is the difference between us and the masses. I write for me and if other people happen to like it along the way then yay!

    :)

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  37. Great post. I do love your blog. I have thoughts about making my own more personal, but I am still theoretically, an administrator of two ventures. Maybe after you're 60, any decorum isn't supposed to matter. Not that it matters much in real life, but online and linked? I think about it often. Thanks for more food for the brain cells and inspiration.

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  38. DrSoosie - What you say is true, but if it totally related to someone else's experiences, I'm not as sure. I know there are some REALLY popular blogs out there that I don't like...

    faye - Thanks! There are also some blogs that I like but don't comment on much.

    Cheeseboy - I agree about the fillers. It's better just to not post anything on those days. Thanks!

    Betty - Thanks Betty! I take that as a major compliment...

    Minoccio - I was just informed that when you use "formspring" for the questions, it always comes asked by "anonymous." Unless you are a memeber. I do think it's interesting to me, but it obviously isn't that interesting to some people. Otherwise, they'd be reading and commenting. Either way, I'm fine with it. thanks!

    Penny - Thanks so much Penny! I agree! There are some "mommy" blogs that are pretty funny, so I don't mind following them. but as a rule...yeah! I agree that my blog is mainly for me, or at least it was at one time. I have a lot of memories and stories I need to memorialize. My blog is a good place to do it. Thanks again!

    tapirgal - Thanks so much! I understand. Pretty soon people will think of me as a fool. when that happens it's very liberating.

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  39. i would follow your blog too... like you said it is balanced. :)

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  40. Excellent.

    And as soon as I can figure out how to follow you, without following you on my son's account, I'm in.

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  41. yogurt - My blog may be well balanced, but I'm not so sure about myself...thanks!

    Cotton Blossom - I see you figured it out. Thanks so much for that!

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  42. Good for you, tell is like it is, Pat.
    Your blog is supercalifraglistic...

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  43. Pat,

    Thank you for the critique of my---what--- it'd his?

    Damn---and I was feeling pretty good about myself.

    OK- I guess I'll have to agree 100% with your appraisal- about YOUR BLOG! It is a s Honest and Candid as You are inside- and any time you can get the Guts--of a person that well written and defined- YOU HAVE A WINNER!

    I LOVE IT- AND -"IN A MANLY WAY- I LOVE YOU AS WELL!" "hEY--hOW BOUT DOES bEARS!!!!!!!!! (jOHN gOODMAN VOICE!)

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  44. Pam - I used to be able to say that backwards! Thanks...

    John - I love you too man...lol

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  45. Thanks for this worthy article, it's absolutely acclaimed blogs

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  46. Ah!!! at last I found what I was looking for. Somtimes it takes so much effort to find even tiny useful piece of information.

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  47. Simple and sweet. I’m thinking of starting another blog or five pretty soon, and I’ll definitely consider this theme. Keep ‘em coming!.

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  48. your writing is really good..signed up to your RSS, curious to read more!

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