April 29, 2010
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If a blog had no reader....
Thanks for all your support folks. I know most folks weren't quite sure what to say. It didn't help that I purposely left it so cryptic. I just needed to vent after a long day. In the old days, I could write something like this and no one would leave a comment. Back then, no one read my blog. Even though I blog anonymously, I'm still careful of what I write (maybe a bit too careful sometimes).
I wonder how many blogs are out there without readers. There are probably many bloggers out there without readers. You know the say about a tree falling in a forest - does it still make a sound if no one was there to hear it fall? Does a blog need a reader to complete its purpose?
I'm still behind reading a lot of your entries and comments - my apologies. But it's hard to ignore interesting blogs so I just continue to subscribe to them. I've regressed into a lurker.
The only upside of working long hours... I fall asleep now relatively quickly.
Comments (50)
You're welcome, Matt. Next time, you may be less cryptic about everything too! We enjoyed reading about that!
A lot of my old blog used to get no comments at all, and I was okay with it. In the end, my blog is my spot to say my piece, whether someone hears me or not.
The process of putting words to one’s thoughts can be therapeutic, right? So I don't think a reader is necessary.
Regarding readership, it might even be better to be less-read in some regards. I personally find it a little harder to post “whatever I want” now that I have more subscribers. This is not to say that I don’t appreciate having people read what I write (I absolutely do! I appreciate every comment!) but now that I “know” more people and they “know” me, I feel slightly more constrained in what I can say than if I knew absolutely no one. I’m sure if I ever had, say, 40 subscribers, I’d be a LOT more hesitant to post a racy or potentially inflammatory comment, you know? Hrm, that was worded quite clumsily, but I hope you get what I’m trying to say.
its nice to have readers... but i've learned that my enjoyment comes from writing for myself first...
@CurryPuffy - less cryptic... man, I don't know how you've put up with some of my cryptic stuff since my onetonman days.
@Roadlesstaken - that's true and I agree.
@Senlin - I understand (I think you have a lot more subscribers now). I'm a little bit more careful with what I write. My audience used to be predominantly gay Asians. So I could write about stuff most gay Asians could relate to. Now it's a lot more diversified.
@tsotofu - true... I write for myself first. Yeah, comments are good and I like the feedback. I've found over the years that if I try to write for my readers, I start to suffer.
When I started here at xanga, I did not expect readers to come my way. I was virtually unknown here. But one comment led to another. Surely it was a great feeling. But even then, when there were no readers to my blogs, I still felt my writing posts were complete as it gave me some personal satisfaction.
Well, take your time. I know there are things that need more attentions than anyone's post. But if you have time, I hope you can pay me a visit, and share some of your valuable thoughts. Thank you.
@ElusiveWords - same here... things just dont "feel" right for some reason... like it's not really you...
Part of the answer to your question depends on what the blogger wants out of his or her blogging. If he or she is writing just as a sort of therapeutic outlet or in order to document thoughts and events in his or her life, then the number of readers is irrelevant. If the bloggers enjoys the interaction and community that is built by having readers, then an unread blog maybe isn't a real blog at all. While my initial purpose was just to blog as documentation I have come to really enjoy the Xanga family.
On another note, I'm glad you aren't having as much problem getting to sleep.
You know it's true, but I always thought blogs were for the writer to vent and put thier opinion out there, not to appease others.
@Senlin - yep I couldn't agree with you more. this is like my 4th username. my original one was subscribed to by my family and i became a hell of a lot more constained. my second one is completely locked up and and meant for my private use only. it replaces the written journal of my college days that is strictly for therapeutic purposes. I realized that when I journaled that I thought everything was screwed up beyond repair and I came back later to read my own words, I would gain courage and strength know I could overcome my own problems. Another one just contains my most favorite insipirational emails that I store for future reference. This one is just my latest reinvention of where I am now.
I suppose it depends on what the blog's purpose is... I've gone from one reader to many, and now back down to a few, which is okay. And I'm going to do my level best to keep blogging like the numbers don't matter. Readers come and readers go, and I want to be able to touch the hearts of as many as I can.
when i started xanga, my thought for blogging is to put as much ideas my mind have. it didn't matter if someone drops a message or something. i'm used to not to talk to strangers anyway but then i learned how wrong i was. blogging is a social activity. this is where ideas are shared and learned.
i have to admit i smiled when i got my first eprops and comment from someone telling me how good my post is. so to answer your question about needing a reader, my answer is yes.
interesting thought...i'll have to think about this one.
glad you are able to get to sleep faster.
I get some commenters. It all depends on the topic, and on the oomph I put into the piece. If a piece is dry, not even Dan could get a lot of readers.
Then it's a diary, no?
I started blogging here, expecting no readers. And once I got a couple, I wanted more...and more. Then, I was hungry for the comments. At some point, I felt like I got too many and didn't like the attention, so I deleted most of my subscribers. I'm back to getting a few comments, if I'm lucky - or unlucky, depending how you look at it. What I've learned from this is that...I'm never satisfied. Apparently, I always want what I can't have. If I want comments, I don't get them. When I get too many, I don't want people to read it.
I know. I have issues. HAHA
While reading this post, I could picture myself. At first no one came to read my blog. I was fortunate though that my husband also blogs and assured me of at least one subscriber. It did not take long though for other readers to come by. Now, it's me who does not have the time to post.....work-related. Thanks for this post. Makes me realize that I do not have to pressure myself into writing a post as often as possible. I can bide for my time.
It depends, like someone said, the purpose they had in mind for their blog. I created my blog just for personal reasons, a way to vent. At first I didn't have any readers but the number slowly grew. I noticed however that at one point I was trying to write for them instead of write for myself and that wasn't what I came here to do. Yes it's cool if they can see my point, share their experience with me, or give me advice but ultimately it should be for me and my own mind. Having a reader does help but it shouldn't be the only thing that gives it purpose.
It was pointed out by the first few commenters that it really depends on the purpose of the blogger. For me, blogging is my way of expressing myself because I never was verbally open. If I have readers, then I am grateful that the experience is shared by someone, even better if s/he was personally touched by it. If a blog post goes beyond a month old without any views, then it is still okay with me.
I started blogging as a way to vent and to express my ideas - sorta like a journal. That is why all my blogs involve something I was working on at the time or need to vent. I now enjoy having comments as they often time give me a different perspective and something other things to think about.
I often question the reason why I blog every time I saw zero hits but after a while I discover I should just continue blogging it to keep myself sane.I even wrote post about this a week ago.
inmythoughtcloud
When I started blogging, I was just trying to remind myself of my travel experiences. When I got my first comment, I was happily surprised. Then my blog broadened to my feelings, my vents, my asking for help, opionions and support and sharing fun and sad experiences. I would still blog even there is no comments because I enjoy writing them. However, comments from my Xanga friends have motivated me to write more often, provided me diversity of opinions and knowledge, and kept me sane under stressful situations. Xanga is a great community because many are caring and knowledgeable people. My Xanga friends, you have saved my life stresses and my insane computer many times. To be honest, although I said I would still blog even there is no comments, but man, I crave for comments, lol.
well I write regardless of comments. I still long for the day I wake up after posting something and find I have like, 80 comments on it. =D Even if the day never comes, I write.
I write in my xanga like a diary and I don't care if people disagree with me. =D Sometimes I blog way too much which pisses people off but at the end of the day I am blogging for myself and I don't care if I don't get comments at all. =)
sleep is good.
No one read my blog for a long time...I was actually really surprised when I got a couple of comments on my last entry.
I love the tree analogy.
When I started I don't really get comments, it's only now that I do. I still feel like there are some out there that deserves more attention, I mean I don't think I write that well...I want to and I'm trying. ;D
It's still a blog.
There are blogs with comments disabled too so I wouldn't worry about it.
how philosophical! i think a blog without readers could still fulfill it's purpose, if it's purpose was to be sort of an on-line diary. but i think a lot of bloggers would be disappointed if nobody read their blogs.
This is very well written. Personally, I think I blog not for readers, but to release my own stress about things in life. I feel like blogging is a good way of ranting about things that bothers us in life. Many times, I find myself realizing a lot of new things about myself while I'm writing. I guess what I'm saying is that it's just a minute for all of us to take a break from a busy day of work and reflect from within.
yeah, i know what you mean.
there are so many interesting blogs out there, more interesting than some that get featured on xanga. i hope they get noticed, too.
I have been blessed with many readers and commenters. It was not that way at first.
blessings
frank
*raises hand* I'm a lurker too! More so than a blogger. I could give a ca-hoots about who reads. I like giving my two-cents here and there. no need to reply to this. totally unnecessary.
Yay for falling asleep quickly!
I dunno. I started using mine to communicate events, feelings, and all in between. I actually dislike it when people read and comment more than I would want it.. because, to me, it's a written record of my own life.
Currently, that record tells of a war that's been on for the last few years.. and waaay too many people tend to read it and judge the way I've chosen to see and record things. Not because I tell lies, but because they don't like the theme I've chosen as a way to tell my stories.
Some of my posts are vent posts. Some are happier ones. Lots of them are thought sorting ones. In most of them, I keep in character: a person, in a state of war, recounting day-by-day and more significant events in that wartime.
What I find is.. most people don't appreciate the terminology "a state of war", and they don't understand that it refers to life.... my life, complete with all the trial, tribulation, test and developments that ..everyone's life has. The only difference in myself is that I've cordoned off recent years of my life to deal with certain specific things and achieve certain specific goals.
Consequently, I get people who are fixated on my theme and feel that there must be something automatically wrong with me, because they actually think I go out with a gun everyday and proceed to fight my war, against the general public (never have I ever written anything close to that..).
I've even had a person go to the trouble of IMing me on a messenger (cuz I used to put my AIM info on my xanga; I don't remember if I ever got around to removing it..).. and have a go at psycho analyzing me.. and telling me they feel sorry for me, because of the way they perceive my telling of things.
I used to be a comment whore... but lately I'm writing more stuff and keeping it private.
It's truly just things I need to spill out and leave it alone. My life has been some what
of a continuous cartwheel, and I don't know which side is up most days.
Hopefully I'll land right side up.
be well my friend, have a great weekend,
*~matthew~*
elusivewords...i like your blog name. sometimes even words fail to describe certain feelings.
i keep a blog without readers. i do it on purpose. i don't want to blog for the sake of blogging. i want to write because i feel so compelled to write down my thoughts that if i failed to do, it'd drive me mad. that's when it's most genuine. i dislike when others feature blogs with tips on how to be featured? who cares? most the times when we even journal to ourselves, we twist certain things to lighten the truths so how could it not be worse when we write with certain expected readers?
Blogs don't NEED readers, but they are nice.
I don't get many comments other than my friends that uses Xanga. I use my Xanga like a journal and some place where I can vent x3
Sleep is good, enjoy it!
hm...for sure it's nice to have readers and comments, cos it's a way to communicate with other people from elsewhere, it won't be that bad even the blog receives no readers I thnk..
Maybe I should write for myself too instead of write for the readers. Good point
@Norcani - you write a lot of good poems that really forces people to sit back and reflect. Keep doing what you're doing.
@christao408 - that's true, I think I have a dual purpose for my blog. Sometimes I just want to vent (those recent cryptic entries) and sometimes I like (enjoy, crave) the interaction. I've toyed with the idea of starting another blog and writing anonymously. But that just doesn't sound right.
@Wendy@lovelyish - I agree with you actually. While I'm always aware there are readers out there, sometimes I worry a bit too much about who is reading my stuff.
@maninamonono - I think it's great that you can see how far you've come after reading your earlier entries. This is only my second one.
@overly_toasted_bread - I love your attitude!
@Renatojr3 - one of my long time subscribers... it's always good to see you dropping by. Salamat po.
@ThePrince - yeah, less than 5 minutes of bedtime reading and I'm in dreamland!
@cyberbear - hahaha... I don't think Dan will ever run short of readers.
@CareyGLY - dear Diary... I used to peek into my sister's diary.
@AnonymousBloggingGirl - lol... I can actually relate. Sometimes I like the solitude but I also like the interaction. As long as I write for myself, I think I'll be ok.
@Vynor - I run into time constraints too and disappear for days a time. It feels a bit weird not being on Xanga every day but I have to somehow balance my priorities.
@insert_label_here_003 - when I started it really was an online journal too. I think I become a bit too conscious of readers every so often and start to restrict myself. But that defeats the purpose of this journal. I mean, there are things I won't write about (e.g. relationship) . You're right, one doesn't need readership to validate their blog.
@theboneofcontention - I sometimes wonder how many people just read but don't comment even though they are touched by our words.
@Fatcat723 - Rob - another of my long time subscriber.
Your entries always gives me an opportunity to reflect on what's going on in my life.
@oddlyinspired - do you keep 2 blogs? I've often toyed with the idea of moving to WordPress but I like the community here.
@stevew918 - crave for comments? hahahaha... I do understand what you mean Steve. I really enjoy the community here and it means more to me than a lot of folks realize.
@Starshine_Faerie - I hope you keep on writing. Thank you for dropping by.
@Got_Takoyaki - it pisses people off? I wonder why? You've got a good attitude about blogging - don't let the amount of readers / views / comments dictate our happiness.
@fortune121 - I crave sleep.
@whereisichi - when I started, I went for months before getting a comment. It slowly grew after I left comments on other people's blogs. But it took months before I even had more than 5 subscribers.
@ItsWhatEyeKnow - thank you, it was just a spur of the moment thing. Sometimes even a tired mind can spring a surprise or two.
@oxyGENE_08 - now you get tons of comments! hahaha... I agree with you that there are some really good writers out there who aren't getting a lot of visibility. I try to rec them when I come across them.
@yang1815 - Andy - I always stump you (not on purpose) with some of my recent entries. You must be kinda puzzled... "wonder what the heck is wrong with Matt?"
@kunhuo42 - Aaron - it's always good to see you drop by even when you're so busy. Although there are days when I crave solitude, I would miss the interaction if no one ever left comments.
@jen_jenx - thank you for dropping by and for the compliment. You made me smile. I think sometimes I become a little too self conscious of my readers and don't write what I need to write.
@watermoolen - yeah, I come across a few well written blogs but no one seems to know about them. I'm always interested in reading new blogs. If you have some time, pls pass along some of your recommendations. Thank you for dropping by.
@ANVRSADDAY - I don't really know who has the most subscribers - probably one of those on Xanga's front pages everyday. My blog had a very quiet life for a long time too.
@Vairyl -
keep leaving those 2 cents here and there.
@ZSA_MD - oh I would pay $ for a good night sleep. But lately I'm so tired mentally I just fall asleep in 5 to 10 minutes.
@DarkYangofICE - I will have to drop by and check out your state of war. I think once you explain it to others, I'm sure they'll catch on pretty quickly.
@bleuzeus - I hope life is now less of a cartwheel for you and more of a peaceful country lane. As always - thank you for visiting.
@tracy - you know, I wrote this on the spur of the moment and had no idea it would generate so many comments. It's kinda odd. I guess everyone has a different purpose to their blog. Some folks like the attention. I don't actively seek it - I'm actually a very private person.
@carolinavenger - yes, readers are nice. Sometimes I don't need to have the comments. But I do want to know someone did read it.
@HappiiCross - Xanga is a nice place to vent and I've been doing a bit of that lately.
@agmhkg - yeah, the comments and interaction are good. But I also try to focus on why I blog in the first place - it's a place to reflect. But sometimes I do write for the audience.
@vsan79 - I hope you're doing well bro. I haven't seen you around for a long, long time. *hugs*
well it depends, some dont really wish their blogs to be viewed... and it's sad if your blog has noone to appreciate if you really put alot of effort in writing good stuff... but well if you are not active or dont leave comment, hardly people will know your existence
@ElusiveWords - O meh it doesn't bother me. I'm sure you would have told me if you wanted to.
@lcfu - lately I haven't put a lot of effort into writing, I just sort of write what comes to mind
There is always be an audience for us to write. The audience could be the author though or could be nobody.
@ElusiveWords - thanks
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