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November 17, 2003yes... and noI agree with this idea about blogging, but it reminds me of discussions I had with The Original Crew when we all first started. I was the only one who ADMITTED doing what I did to attract readers. Well, da goddess was with me (her site is down right now), but most people said that they wrote for themselves and they didn't care whether anyone else read it or not. I called bullshit on that idea and I still do today. First of all, if you didn't want other people to read what you write, you wouldn't throw it out there on the net. Keep a diary and keep it private if you write only for yourself. Second, I've always called what I do here stuffing notes in bottles and casting them into a vast ocean. I like it when someone finds a note, replies and THEIR bottle washes ashore on MY beach. I asked the question a long time ago: isn't a blog that no one reads a lot like a tree falling in the woods when nobody is around to hear it? Does it make a sound? I want to make NOISE! I agree with Eric that I probably would continue this blog even if people stopped reading it tomorrow. I like to write and this page saved my life when I had no other lifeline to grab. I have met some wonderful people that I never would have known if not for GUT RUMBLES. I'm not going to give that experience up. But admit a FACT, bloggers. If we didn't all have "mile-wide egos" we wouldn't be doing this shit in the first place. I believe that the ego thing and the outgoing personalities are why everybody hit it off so well at the blog-meet. You have to admit-- nobody was at a loss for words the entire day. We were a bunch of loud, boastful, talkative people. And I don't want to hear any more shit about kenny being shy and retiring. I've known that fucker since high school and he's usually louder and more obnoxious than I am. He just considered himself to be a newbie blogger and didn't have a lot to say when we were all trying to out-shout each other about HTML, trolls and comments. Get him good and drunk and see what comes out. You all saw Dr. Jekyll. I've seen Mr. Hyde. Yeah. I LIKE having a lot of people read me every day. I try to throw traffic to other sites, too, because all bloggers appreciate attention. If they didn't, they wouldn't be blogging, in MY humble opinion. Blogging is a lot of work. It requires a mile-wide ego and a cast-iron ass. Some people aren't cut out to do it. But those who are seem to be a lot alike.
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I'd have to agree with you. I had a similar conversation when I first started blogging and stated that if I had wanted a blog to keep in touch with family and friends (partly true) then I'd give only them the url. Someone asked what I thought more important, hits or comments and I answered comments. Its feedback from my readers which is what my "mile-wide ego" is yearning for. Posted by: Sgt Hook on November 17, 2003 09:56 PMI'm the exception that proves the rule, then. If I cared about hits, I'd be depressed about not getting 'em. And I don't want any stray nut writing crap on my page--that's my job. But as long as you want comments, I'll chip in when the mood hits me. (But that's enough out of me for now...) Posted by: hackjammer on November 18, 2003 12:01 AM There doesnt have to be a neccessary opposition between writing for yourself and writing for public entertainement; they dont have to exclude each other. The idea that they are makes writing for yourself "self indulgent" and "boring", and writing for others to be entertaining yet "false" and "pandering". Good writing is just good writing. If everyone said what they really thought more people would be entertaining and honest at the same time. The best stuff ever written came from writers who wrote for themselves, yet it continues to sell. I've got the mile wide ego and cast iron ass...I just have nothing to freakin write about for some reason. I've been struggling on and off for months trying to find my mojo. You posted a link yesterday to a site that was all about the blogger's children and that's exactly what I DON'T want mine to become. Unfortunately, at the moment, that's all my life IS. Anyone got a spare life? Posted by: Chablis on November 18, 2003 04:20 AMI started reading this site some months ago because I wanted to see what a real redneck from Georgia USA (as distinct from the old Soviet Union) would have to say about life in general, and his life in particular. I didn't find a cartoonish Lil Abner type as I half expected, but I did find a sometimes acerbic, sometimes funny, sometimes outrageous, but always interesting writer. We Aussies have many preconceived ideas about you "Yanks" (I know THAT will make Acidman spit), but it is amazing how alike we are in many ways. Thanks for the insights, and keep it up, mate. Posted by: Pedro the Ignorant on November 18, 2003 05:27 AMQuick comment on Kenny--You're damn straight he's not shy and retiring. I learned that well when I stumbled onto his turf last Friday night--the Delkwood Grill. Too bad he left before my obnoxious side was unleashed and I sang David Allen Coe and Garth Brooks on the karaoke thing. Posted by: Adam on November 18, 2003 09:01 AMI posted before I read Straight White Guy's post. Like him, I write regardless of whether anybody reads or not. And in any group I'm always the quietest one there. Posted by: hackjammer on November 18, 2003 09:19 AMPost a comment
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