my little chickadees. I’m writing a piece about why we blog. I have suspicions. Big, hairy, scary ones. But I want you to tell me. Please.
Tell me in the comments, or by e-mail (kelly at kellydiels dot com) or by Twitter (@KellyDiels). Use your name, make one up, or be anonymous.
(I encourage you to use your name and URL, because this piece will appear as a guest post on an A-list blog and I’d be DELIGHTED to give you some linky-love.)But no matter what costume you choose for the par-tay, please tell me:
Why do you blog?
Hi,
I blog to communicate with others but more importantly to have a conversation with myself and see my own progress.
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I have been sitting here trying to answer your question and I don’t know. I love the inspiration, the constant feedback on my writing, the potential for friendship and just being heard. But honestly the thing that keeps me coming back must be the other people who also blog. I started because I wanted connection with similar souls. As a result, I have met some of my best friends through blogging! It’s the conversation that I love.
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I blog because I love to write; blogging is just another form of expression for me.
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I’ve blogged about blogging and why I love it.
I love the “share”. It’s all I want to do. I love finding images, adding widgets, getting excited about an idea, a book, a song, a person (LIKE YOU!) and then telling my little world and the Twitter audience. If I never did anything but blog for my 20 or so readers (and I could eat and pay rent)that’s all I’d do.
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I started writing here and there online. I then started a couple blogs, thinking I was going to make money. It didn’t happen. Finally, I decided to hell with it, and 2 months ago started my new online home “Blommi”(mommy + blogger = blommi). After avoiding becoming a “mommy blogger” for over a year, I now wish I’d started sooner. I now love to write again.
Blogging is certainly an interesting journey.
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I discovered http://www.kellydiels.com last night while running around the web. Today, I just had to check and see what else this delightful, tell it how she’s sees it writer was talking about. (By the way Kelly that’s you I’m referring to.)
And what do I see? Why do you blog?
Which got me thinking… which made me have to answer…
There are a few things in life i find highly enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong, I am a diverse character to be sure. However of all the things I love to do 3 of them make me feel like the world makes sense.
Reading, writing, and teaching. Which is where my reason to blog comes in.
I read all the time. As a matter of fact 2 weeks ago I
read 16 books in 1 week. My fiance thought I was nuts. But I just could not – not read.
I write randomly. Sometimes its because I love what Im reading and have to take notes so that I can look back later and reaquiant myself with the good information. Sometimes its just to get a load off my chest. Other times its…
Teaching. I love to help people learn. Maybe I should have become a teacher. I would be good at it I think. Then again kids sometimes piss me off. Not that I dont love kids. I totally do. Its just that not everyone has well behaved children and that makes me uncomfortable. Its not like you can discipline someone elses child. It just isnt appropriate unless you know the other person well.
Which brings me back to why I blog. I get to keep reading to stay informed. Keep writing to remember, reflect and reteach. Keep teaching to whoever
wants to learn… all because of my blog.
Ohh and did I mention I would love to make dirty sexy money for my thoughts?
~Liz
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I’ve always loved writing, when I was about six years old I had decided I want to be an author and an artist, ha.
I think my favorite thing about blogging is the community and the sharing. I love writing, the entire process of it soothes me, but hearing back from someone that a post of mine touched them or made them laugh makes me really happy. And knowing that those same people are going to write something soon that’ll move me or make me laugh…it’s all just such a lovely process.
That’s probably the mushiest thing I’ve written in a while; I need to go swear a blue streak to regain my street cred.
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PS found you through ProBlogger & (I think?) Write to Done, love your blog so far!
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I’m new to blogging, but quickly becoming addicted. I started my blog because a friend asked me to do some writing for her travel agency. I had toyed with writing a blog before, but never really knew what to write about. The objective encouragement of an outsider really inspired me to pursue it. I love the getting to know the blogging community, so many interesting people with so many interesting things to say. Love your blog by the way
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I originally started blogging because I wanted to increase my chances of making some money with my writing and getting published.
Without re-writing War and Peace, I will share that this has changed for me.
I’ve been at this a long time – but with a flawed game plan and an even more flawed intention.
This because when I first got into blogging my mantra was: “I’m not in this to make friends, I’m a writer.”
What I’ve come to learn is that, either you’re a writer, or a blogger and never the twain shall meet.
I’m serious about that.
Because blogging is different than straight writing – and the best bloggers know it. We know how to craft a sentenece so that it works on a computer screen, and we understand that our blog will never be anything without the social apsect of the process.
So if you’re like I was and “just want to write” – expecting legions of fans to sign on based on your talent – to that I say “Good luck and God bless.”
This is a long way of saying that blogging has become something more for me.
I no longer attach expectation to it and have learned to really appreciate what I’ve managed to build.
I have great readers. Better still, readers who have become valued friends.
This becomes even more true in December when Christmas cards arrive at my home from from all over the world from people who actually care about my life and what I have to say.
I have learned not to take an honour like that for granted, or to minimize what I’m about by comparing my blog to others.
I’ve evolved into a Field of Dreams approach to the process trusting that if I write it, they will come.
For me it has become about that.
About the very things I was avoiding in the beginning: Friendship and connection.
Though I may never become a writer who makes millions through my craft, blogging has given me the opportunity to affect the lives of others with my words.
The internet gives voice to obscurity and for that I am grateful.
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I blog because I think I have something to say that might help others. In the process of doing that, I help myself. AS I write, I work through issues that I face, we all face, and then try to come up with at least one reasonable, if not half assed way to handle it.
I blog because communication is my thing. No, that’s not completely true. Talking is my thing. I talk. I talk out load, I talk in writing, I probably talk in my sleep.
I blog because I’m the savior of the world and if everyone would just listen to me, we would all be better off, but then, I can’t even save myself sometimes so I guess that’s not true either.
I blog because I love run-on sentences.
I blog because the Infinite source of the cosmos calls me to it, that or is constantly warning me to stay away from it. Either way, I’m pretty bad at listening.
I blog because, although I don’t have cleavage, I have the kahones to put my ass out there for all to see and I don’t seem to care that they do, if fact I like it. Did I mention run-on sentences?
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I create amazing possibilities daily.
This is what I’m about, and this is also my work. Part of my work is being me and sharing with others what can be. So I blog to share the magic – because everyone should know that anything is possible.
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Hello Ms Kelly – I started blogging initially because it I was bored, dateless and cold on one January Friday night in Chicago. True story.
Since then, the reasons I continue to blog stay the same, but their importance changes somewhat as time passes. Part of it is giving others the opportunity to have a voice (which is why I feature so many guest contributors.) Another is adventure – my blog requires me to get out in the world and research cool cultural things. Finally, I, like a lot of folks, have always wanted to publish a book. And maybe this blog will get me there. But no matter what, it got me here, which is all that counts.
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I blog for one reason only: to help others.
I’m not an aspiring writer, I don’t know the first thing about the tech side of blogging (nor do I want to), I don’t have any desire to be famous or known. But I am happy, and I want to help others be happy too. Not rich, or famous, or successful… just happy.
My blog is my outstretched hand, and my shoulder for anyone to cry on.
Sounds sappy, when you look at it. But… you asked!
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I blog for a very simple reason – to make a difference in the world.
My blog purpose is to help people make it happen for themselves and for the world – the two do not have to be separate from each other.
I am on mission to help people get the best life possible and at the same time making the world a better place.
I am already a published author with 3 books – with my blog my intention is to get my name out to a much wider audience.
Thanks for asking, Kelly!
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I blog because I don’t believe in my ability to write.
I blog because I am too damn insecure to reach out to people.
I blog because those are two things I want to overcome, and must in order to succeed. The blog I am writing (which launches in January…I’ve been writing a blog for a couple months for just friends of mine to read and critique) is on personal development.
I am a glutton for personal development. whut.
I blog about it because I do my best thinking when I’m talking. I learn things as I explain them to others. I realize truth about myself, ugly ones and damaged ones and foreign ones, when I’m not stuck in my own head.
I blog because blogging is gangsta, and I got a gangsta lean.
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I started blogging last year when I found myself with many, many, many hours no longer occupied when I was let go by my employer. That sounds nice, let go. Makes you feel like you were on a ledge hanging on for dear life and someone just decided you were worth it anymore. {sigh} What were we talking about?
I was hoping to make a little income in an effort to avoid finding another actual job, but what I really wanted to do was write. So, now I blog to share what I am thinking, what is going on in my life, and sometimes to share useful information in the hopes of helping or entertaining others. I may never make a dime, but I am okay with that.
I am exploring my writing style[s] and finding my way. So, I now blog for self discovery and exploration and fun.
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I blog to sell myself. Part of it is about sharing a piece of me, about engaging others in conversation, about being heard and hearing others in return. My blog is dedicated to getting myself and my brand out in the world so that people will take notice and hire me to help them. That’s the business answer.
And then I have a personal blog, which I use for different reasons, all of which are similar to your previous commenters.
Thanks for asking
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I blog as another venue to reach people with shared interests. Imagine having a wonderful afternoon visiting warmly with old friends on familiar topics. Then going to a party in the evening, and listening and sharing new anecdotes with people you are just meeting for the first time, or who don’t share your exact hobbies / interests. I think of my blog that way — as an opportunity to make new friends, and sometimes as a way to share new anecdotes with old friends.
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I blog to connect, and because it is a extremely inspiring medium for the modern writer. I am still dragging my feet and haven’t quite given it my full attention as of yet, but mainly blogging is my connection to the outer world as a singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, and mom with postpartum depression. I love reading others’ blogs and feel that burning desire within to take the leap, but am still holding back.
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I blog, times three. The zen thing would be to say that I blog and that my blogs exist is the ‘why,’ but I have always had to write just as much as I’ve had to breathe – in and out, regularly. Lacking a regular outlet for my creative writing, I blog (as opposed to the technical writing user manual science stuff that pays the bills.) started writing down my cancer journey; now, in survivorship, I am writing about food and dog training, too. I always kept a journal; in a blog, I’m keeping a conversation (several conversations at once; I like to multi-task.) And that makes me a better thinker, and keeps me focused, and makes me remember why I like breathing in and out, regularly.
As for the url – right now I’m in the midst of the same pain you’ve just shared about moving Cleavage. So until the new home of Life Out Loud is up and running and all presentable again at http://patsteer.com I’ll just go with the dependable wp.com address.
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My reason is short and sweet: I blog for the love of writing, sharing with others, and learning from them.
Karen Chaffee
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First, let me just say ~ Kelly, I just love your writing!
I’m a new blogger…I started because I needed a creative outlet. Literally…it was twofold, I wanted to reconnect and write about my craft and creative ventures and because I have a very uncreative job in a very creative atmosphere. I needed a space where I could support my own interests, where I’m the Queen Of My Own Domain! It was also a challenge to push myself to try something completely new…to get unstuck and out of a rut. Ironically, shortly after I started my blog I read an article that said people turn to their creative side as a coping mechanism during times of stress…it didn’t occur to me until I read it, but it seems right on the mark in my case. All these reasons for blogging have melded together nicely for me and I really enjoy blogging! It’s the best thing I’ve done for myself!
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First of all, I need to out how much I loathe the actual term, “blog.” It’s not a pretty word. Now that we have that out of the way…
I ahem, publish my thoughts, teachings, and prose on-line because I’m a truth seeker, righteous babe and philosopher wired for mass communication. That’s the first reason.
I fancy my site as a magazine to seed good thinking and to pimp my business: Fire Starter sessions (divine ass-kicking business strategy for entrepreneurs, speaking gigs, stationery line and forthcoming books.)
I write on-line to give shape to bigger projects. The content on my site this year became the basis of my current book proposal.
I write on-line because I didn’t get enough attention as a child.
I write on-line because it makes magic happen – new friends, expanded ideas, philanthropy, love.
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I have kept journals off and on over the years as a way to reflect on my life- as Marlene Schiwy says: “Like the ground beneath your feet, your journal is always there to support your connection to the world you live in.” I see blogging as an experiment in taking that reflection-connection and seeing how it lands with others- I think of this as infection. So, reflection, connection, infection. I also consider it a creative act and a political act – any woman blogging now is raising a voice for all those womens’ voices which were silenced throughout history. And as the famous quote by Adrienne Rich states: When a woman tells the truth she is creating the possibility for more truth around her.
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I started blogging because I kept thinking “I want to see feminist writing about parenting a boy-child”, and made the mistake of saying that one day to my novelist friend who triple dog dared me to be the one to do it. So I registered a domain at blogspot.
Six months later, having published not-a-single-word, same writer friend started her own blog, and I thought damnit, if she can, I damn well can too. And I did.
After I started writing my own, I discovered other blogs, and realized mine was hardly a new idea. But by then I had a dozen readers, two dozen posts, and an addiction as bad as nicotine, and slightly less socially acceptable.
Now I blog because I’m a blogger: because I’ve always been a writer, and finally found a style that works for me. I blog for the same reason I did peer tutoring: I learn from teaching, and there’s so much I want to learn, and people keep telling me I’m good at passing it on. And I blog because I want a revolution, I’m adverse to guns, and toddlers aren’t great at protest marches (unless they’re protesting the lack of third bowls of ice cream or fourth green bananas).
And I blog because I am a feedback whore, and live for the new/pending comment emails. They are my crack, as I run this maze, and their erratic, unpredictable nature only serves to solidify my rat-brain’s addiction to trying, trying, trying again.
Plus, I get to meet unbefuckingleavably cool people like you. That’s a definite plus.
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I blog because I find that a lot of my friends don’t know about technology like I do. Not trying to say im an uber genius or anything but I really like technology and there are a lot of cool gadgets/things that I think people should know about. Once they know about it they can decide if they need it or not. In short I guess im obsessed with technology and it’s either scream it from the mountain tops and get other people to join my clan or hold it inside and slowly implode
PS love your blog … still
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self-punishment. I really fucked up in a former life and now I punish myself by barking and yelping zeros and ones into the internet void, with little-to-no-hope of recognition, kudos, or respect.
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First let me say that I am still in “I have a blog” shock. I’m new, very. Started my blog the first week of Sept. 2009, with absolutely no clue what I was getting into.
By day I am a Pilates Instructor. And no, I don’t blog about Pilates. I am also an Esthetician although I no longer work in a spa. I am still actively interested and involved in anti-aging skin care. I sell skin care for a direct sales company. And I am an affiliate for a couple others, looking to add to that.
The blog was born to inform and educate women about what they can and can not expect from anti-aging products. And as a platform from which to sell my skin care products. No, it’s not all sales. Yes, there are links to products.
And whether a woman chooses to buy or not I will still give informative information in layman’s terms that can help any woman to make a wise choice. And hopefully entertain them a bit along the way.
Four months ago, I only knew how to email and shop online. Now I know more than I ever wanted to know and have millions of things yet to learn.
I speak mainly to women over 40, but any woman of any age can read the information and find something that applies to her. Why? Because prevention is the first line of treatment in the aging of the skin.
I’m a Baby Boomer. I don’t want to look, feel or act old. So I share with other like minded women just how I do that. Hopefully what I share is of help and creating new thoughts about the “look” of aging in these times.
We are women, we are beautiful, we can look and feel any way we choose. My goal is to help that happen, to connect and inspire women to say no to the stereotype of the aging woman.
And I struggle. I am not a techie. I don’t know what I am doing. I just write it out and hope it flies…
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Holy cow! You KNOW I have an answer to this question. And somehow, I haven’t been getting email updates of your glorious, amazing, and beautiful posts (or Lindsey’s musings therein). That has now been amended and tomorrow I will answer this question – with passion, vigor, and no lack of words!
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OK…Late to the conversation, but not without response. Admittedly, I took this from a post I wrote called, unoriginally, “Why Blog?” – dated 9/18/09. ‘Read through it again tonight and with a few edits, it still most definitely applies. I submit it here…complete with reference to you!
Kelly Diels, posted this quote today on Twitter:
Between page and writer is a magnetism more compelling than any other relationship. (Betsy Warland)
I’ve had a number of people ask me why I’m so compelled by blogging. There are lots of reasons. I tend to think about and focus on the benefits in three major categories: business growth, personal branding, and personal development. But my definite leaning is always on the latter – the personal impact of blogging:
Blogging is a way to get outside myself.
I have a myriad of thoughts and emotions swimming in my head/heart all the time. And the longer they stay there, often the more confusing and/or dark they become. I need to get them out into the light of day. I need to be heard. And when that happens, when I finally let them out (even if only in small bits and pieces) I am healthier. I breathe a little bit deeper. I rest a little more. Some of the weight lightens. And I start to change. I’m not kidding. This really happens!
Blogging is therapeutic.
Maybe just an extension of the paragraph above, there is something powerful about being exposed. In therapy I enter into conversation with another – conversation about my past, my secrets, my wounds, my memories, my desires, my hopes, my fears. And that conversation is safe. Though I may often feel undone by it, a good therapist has the capacity to create an environment of trust that lets me reveal every bit of myself – with no risk. Now I won’t go so far to say that blogging is the same. Nor will I even come close to saying that blogging is, in any way, a replacement for therapy. But it is a good conversational space – even if only with myself – in which I can reveal myself. There are powerful (and appropriate) ways to use a blog as a processing space, a vulnerable space, a learning space, even a safe space. And, bottom line in therapy? I change. I believe the same is possible through blogging. I change. I’m not kidding. This really happens.
Blogging helps me tell my story.
Believe me, I have one. Isak Dinesen said, “To be a person is to have a story to tell.” But too often, I live as if this isn’t true. I go through my days, my weeks, my months, my years without reflection, without perspective, without being aware of plot twists and turns, character development, villains, heroes, tragedy, comedy, romance, even action-adventure. I’m living a story that’s filled with all of these elements. When I blog I begin to recognize and appreciate the complexity of my life, the recurrent themes, the predominant thoughts that shape my way of being, relating, loving, working…everything. Blogging is a space in which I can recount everything from the mundane to the most complex of concepts, but in between the lines, reveal something of myself. I am telling my story – whether I mean to or not. And my story matters. When I begin to realize this, I change. I’m not kidding. This really happens.
Even if only one of these three occurred – even just in part – wouldn’t it be worth it? Yep. I’m right about this.
When you write, you have to attempt something greater than you can possibly hope to accomplish.
That is the only way you can leave a hole, a gap – some chance for a miracle.
(Heather Harpham, from I Went to the Animal Fair)
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Gotta jump in on this. I began my blog at the urging of a friend, whose son is making $50K a MONTH with his blog. That’s some serious motivation. Got my attention, big time.
Also, I needed a kick in the ass (formerly known as a shot in the arm) for my writing career. I think it’s worked, I’ve not felt this resurrected since my last Viagra pill. Did I just say that?
Actually, I just landed a book contract, largely because of the “author platform” I’ve built with my blog. Guess this works. Who needs Viagra when you can get your mojo back online?
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Kelly, I blog because it helps me feel like a lovely tulip. But you knew that already, I suspect: )
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I blog because I’ve spent so much time reading other people’s blogs and feeling like I want to inspire others and reach more people than I do now in one-on-one therapy. Blogging serves as my therapy to purge my heart of the passions that I cannot get out otherwise. I blog because there are tons of fascinating people on earth with whom I am now able to commune despite my current location. I blog because I feel alive when I have something that I value that is my heart on paper and that is all mine. I blog because it’s the thing I love to do right now and was afraid to really try. Now I am and I do and I will.
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i started blogging almost 4 years ago to sort out a career change and other life-changing circumstances…but i continue to blog for several reasons: the friends i hold dear are largely scattered around the world, and it keeps them informed of what’s happening – or not happening – with me; i process events more thoroughly when i write them down; i have a job that affords me some interesting experiences, and i enjoy sharing them; i tend to keep my promises when i make them in front of an audience.
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I started blogging as a form of self-expression with hopes of gaining insight from others with similar interests and finding community with those sharing similar passions. As an online journal it allows me to share my thoughts and experiences publicly while tailoring them for a target audience as well. The fact that it’s online and public is a constant reminder of the need for discretion.
Overall, it’s a learning tool.
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I blog to share information and create awareness about what I do on and offline. To reach out to those I’ve met offline. Keep them updated on my moves off the net.
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