A week or two ago I happened upon a discussion about why people read blogs and what blogs should offer.
The consensus seemed to be that people come to a blog hoping to take something with them. It may be a recipe or a bit of encouragement or an organization tip or a chance to win a prize, but readers want to feel like their time has not been wasted, but well spent.
Well, I came away from that discussion wondering where that leaves those blogs that, and I'm not going to name names here because they know who they are, how shall I say... blogs that make us feel better because we read their stories of parenting mishaps or how not to organize a kitchen and we can feel like, "at least I'm not that crazy!"
Where does that leave storytelling just for the sake of storytelling?
Some of my favorite blogs to read are those that artfully craft a story of real life loving, laughing, and learning. Blogs like Antique Mommy and Big Mama.
I enjoy reading tips, too, don't get me wrong, but some days I barely have my own life figured out and I sure don't feel like I can competently dispense advice to anyone else.
So I stick with the kind of advice that everyone hopes they won't ever need.
And I suppose I should add a disclaimer somewhere that states it is a distinct possibility that reading this blog will be a complete waste of your time.
So... why do you come here? What are you looking for?
14 comments:
To read, learn and be inspired.
Wendy
Mommy to 7. 9 and under.
I read blogs for the same reason that I write them: to inspire, encourage, challenge, or sometimes just to entertain. I just found you through raisingolives and am now a follower.
Quite honestly, I read blogs to gain knowledge,laugh, and find I'm not the only one that has some of the same things happen. I'm not alone. To find my children are normal...I guess, Unless everyone's blog I read has abnormal children too.
I write a blog to pass along what I learned out of making my own mistakes so that others will learn from those and not repeat them. Pass along cheap recipes so people can also eat cheap too. I also write because it's a way for my older grandchildren overseas to know a little about their grandmother.
I read blogs to get a glimpse into other people's lives. (call it "peeping Tom") I like to laugh and see great pictures. I love to get ideas and be inspired, but that's not my reason for reading blogs.
I write a blog because I read so many and think "I can do this!" I want to keep family and friends updated, and share funny things that happen to me/us.
I like it all! Stories, tips, photos, thoughts, advice. Every blog is unique, so I visit many of them every day. Keep up the good work!
I like to go to blogs that make me feel warm and cozy!
I come to blogs that post things about the way I live and aspire to live.
I'm a chirstian,homeeschoolin' QF momma of 6 blessings so far and enjoy seeing what others are doing!
I like to make "friends" with the bloggers blog I go to!
I love the online support I get just by knowing I'm not alone in my somewhat messy house with many children! heehee
Blessings,
Georgiann
What's that quote from the Anthony Hopkins version of "Shadowlands" about C.S. Lewis? Something like, "We read to know we're not alone"???
That's why I read blogs (though, admittedly, a very select few 'cuz I'm really NOT alone and six little ones with two on the way leaves very little time for reading...).
And yours specifically? Because crazy, obnoxious things happen to you just like they happen to me BUT YOU make them sound funny and like part of life and like you can still keep your sanity.
So I read YOURS to know that I'm not alone and to know that there is hope that I will come out the other side of this with a measure of grace and dignity ... and a healthy sense of humor.
Thanks!
I read your blog 'cuz Ah Luvs Ewe. And you're funny and clever and smart and make me smile. :)
I read Smockity Frocks because you have a great sense of humor and I like you.
I totally think you should add a disclaimer...mostly because I think it'd be funny and, well, I come here 9 times out of 10 because you make me laugh.
I read blogs for entertainment, but I also very much enjoy getting to know about the lives of others that are either like me or that I admire. I am a homeschooling Christian mother of four (in a month) and would love to have more children. It is awesome to read about someone else's life that is similar to mine and yet inspires me. I also like the hints and tips, but I mostly enjoy that connection.
I read blogs
-Because I'm lonely and don't have any real life friends that believe the same things I do so I read blogs so I feel like I get my adult conversation quota in for the day by pretending that the blogger is a friend and we're having us a chat over tea. Yes I do drink lots of tea while I read/write blogs. Vanilla Chai. It's yummy in the extreme and everyone should go get some right now! ;) It will be like a virtual te party.
-Because I'm looking for specific information about something
-Because I have recently felt led to give my fertility to God and love to read blogs about large families, how they work, etc.
-Because I had a somewhat dysfunctional family growing up and need to know it's not always like that so that there's hope for my babies after all to grow up in a peaceful stable environment and love each other
-Because when I'm feeling like a failure I need to see that others have ups and downs too and the important thing is to keep reaching for God and keep trying
-To find blogs that can both teach and encourage at the same time (I hate the ones where they're like "YOU need to be the Proverbs:31 woman NOW. This instant. What do you mean you're 'working on it?!' FAIL!" That doesn't help anyone, it just makes people hopeless and suicidal- but that's another topic...)
-To get new ideas for homeschooling
-To get new ideas for craft projects and crochet patterns and recipes and all those good fun creative things
-To make friends :D
-annnnndddd... for the giveaways! Duh! Hehe... Seriously though who doesn't like a good giveaway? Especially since I haven't ever won prizes until I started entering blog giveaways. Now I can't say I never win anything anymore because I've won greeting cards, a cookbook, and a lovely set of gifts from Georgiann's blog. :) I feel seriously lucky! ;)
Why I write my blog
-Because I don't have likeminded IRL friends. (I have dear wonderful friends but we hang out like once a year because we have different beliefs and therefore live totally different lifestyles that are hard to get to mesh, KWIM?) See first answer above. I also like to babble on my blog because then I can pretend that maybe someone else is reading my blog because they are lonely too and I hope I can give them something interesting to read that will make them smile or think or cry (in a good cry sort of way of course).
-Because I want someplace to put down my memories of my little ones since my memory is extinct.
-What was I just saying? I have no idea... I forgot.
-Because I want to remember the cute stuff my kids do... oh I said that already? Sorry, my brains got squeezed out when I was preggo- there just wasn't room and something had to go!
-Because it makes my day to be able to provide someone else with something they need, be it a laugh or a story or a pattern or an idea or that feeling of not being alone. It really makes me happy to help people and to make them smile. I know that sounds corny but I really am just weird like that. I've always been a "fixer" and it makes me happy to do anything that helps anyone fix anything. Even fix dinner. I'll take it!
Honestly...I am a people person and I love to know what is going on in other peoples lives. Seeing pictures of your adorable children makes me excited for children of my own one day, and all your stories and advice help me to prepare for what might be coming! I also enjoy reading blogs that take a strong Christian stand because it reminds me that there are people all over the U.S. (and the world) that are believers in Jesus Christ and that are willing to stand up for him (Romans 1:16). I also like to leave encouraging comments in the hope that I can brighten someone's day and spread the love and joy of Christ. I do appreciate the recipes, craft ideas, etc, that I get from reading blogs...but I think the conversations are just as valid.
What Georgiann said, to a "T". Except for the messy house part - hee hee!
Post a Comment