Having recognized early in life–and making no excuses for–that I lack any real maternal instinct, I am surprised by my response to people, especially the younger ones (maybe only the younger ones; I tend to find the blogs of my peers with problems as being whiners and feel they should know better by now–although I’m as guilty of “poor-me-ing” sometimes as the next blog) who so eloquently project their emotions onto my computer monitor.
I try to mind my own business, keep my two cents in my jeans’ pocket, and nod and smile sympathetically to emotions of all but the closest of friends. After all, we each have opinions on how to handle a situation, and when the situation comes even close to serious, I must stop and realize that I ain’t no expert, and wouldn’t want my words to direct someone to the wrong conclusion. But writing brings me closer than reality, which is a paradox that I must plan to deal with if I’m to continue both my own weblog and the reading of others.
There have been many studies done on weblogs, and a major dividing category is that of journalism and the personal diary. While arguments abound, it does seem the opinion of the blogging community that a good blog may consist of both; that a personal touch is the soothing voice of the radio dj who occasionally will mention the traffic tie-up he sat through on his way to work that morning. It’s a necessary part of any medium, I think, but it’s going to warrant some rational thought as to the handling of it in blogging because it is, after all, interactive.
More to think about. And, the much overused by bloggers “Sigh.”
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology
Personally speaking, I have a very difficult time in deciding how personal I should be. What makes for compelling reading? What brings people back? What will make me a better writer?
I can never make my mind up about those questions. It’s a fine line between personalizing something and running into whine-territory.
Maybe the question is, do you want to befriend your audience, inform them, or perform some combination of the above?
This question is one I’ve researched online, and may want to throw out either here on Spinning, the writing group log, Garmhos, or you can post it on yours and I’ll direct folks there.
It’s a personal decision, but it involves more than good writing, good journalizing, formulas, rules, personal opinions, etcetera.
My own take on it is that a personal touch adds interest to any piece; but the personal touch may simply be in the voice and style, rather than infomation divulged.
And I suppose it takes a little dab of showmanship!
well I’d run around with a bra as a hat if I thought people would like it. I’m a total whore. I just let myself get Pavloved into whatever I think people like.