Why Do I Blog?
Mark K February 21st, 2008
A year ago today, I was asked this question by another blogger, who in turn had been asked the question by a friend of hers. Over the past year, my blog has grown and morphed, and my reasons for blogging have evolved a bit as well.
- A good blog is like a salon. No, I’m not talking about the kind where you get your hair cut - I’m talking about the kind where there’s great creative energy with people talking, listening, exchanging ideas. Come to think about it, that is kind of like the place where I get my hair cut!
- A blog is like a writing workshop. It’s a good place to try out different kinds of writing in front of an audience - try different genres of expression, think out loud, get some feedback and maybe build up the confidence to submit some pieces for publication.
- A blog is like a glob of clay. You can play with it and reshape it whenever you like. If you don’t like the looks of that lopsided coffee cup, you can squish it and form it again into a surrealist pencil holder. It can be serious and preachy or lighthearted and off-the-wall. Or it can be all of those things until it evolves into something unlike anything that anyone else has done before.
- A blog is a challenge. There were technical aspects that I never thought I would master - thorny problems which left me in amazement when they finally worked themselves out. Then there’s the challenge of putting yourself out there for the world to see. Many of my friends and family members were unaware that I’m a writer until I finally built up the courage to share my blog with them. There’s a great feeling of satisfaction when I see that something that I have written has made someone think, question, or continue the discussion.
- A blog is my own little soapbox. I do believe that the world would be a better place if people would slow down, notice and live their lives with attention. Writing the blog helps me to do all of these things and my hope is that it encourages others to do the same.
