Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Let's Stir Things Up a Little Bit

So, the other day when I was catching up on blog reading, I came across a post in which the blogger raised questions about "the blogger's voice."  Her questions and remarks, then the onslaught on subsequent comments (some of them NOT so nice) caused me to think a little about my "voice."  I think that people who read my blog and know me personally would say that what you read is all me...pure and simple.  I'm not putting on airs or creating some kind of fantasy world.  I like what I like....don't like what I don't like...and don't much care if people agree with me or not, although I believe that most of my blog friends DO agree (or at least amused) or they wouldn't be reading.  In turn, I tend to read those with which I identify the most.  


I also enjoy "style" blogs and a few off the wall ones.  Awkward Family Photos never ceases to amuse me.  I like recipe blogs.  I like design blogs.  I'm not opposed to some gossip thrown in here or there.  I like blogs that inspire.  It's hunky dory if the blogger has created some kind of fantasy world as long as I like what I read.


I don't like blogs where there is a lot of profanity.  I might throw out a "hells bells" or a "tinkers damn" once in a blue moon, but that's where I draw the line.  I dropped several blogs from my reader back during the 2008 election when uninformed people from BOTH parties started slinging a bunch of baloney around and about.  I'm a respecter of opinions, but not if the other person doesn't respect mine as well.


I don't like blogs that are routinely negative...we all have bad days now and then, but some people seem to have ALL bad days.  I read a quote the other day...can't remember who it was but it might have been Abraham Lincoln..."Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."  Ain't that the truth?


In short...my opinion is that everybody has a right to blog what they want to blog the way they want to blog it and I have a right to choose whether or not I want to read it.  Neither party owes the other any apologies.


SO...at the risk of opening up a can or worms...what do you think?  What are your favorite kinds of blogs?  Do certain catch phrases that bloggers might take on as a gimmick bug you?


Let's also declare this a "de-lurker" post.  Humor me please....reveal yourselves and SHARE!

30 comments:

  1. Oh, I don't know...I'm choosey in what blogs I read. I personally feel a blog should be as you said, your feelings, likes, dislikes, opinions, some humor, not so much depression (even though I certainly had my share prior to and after mother passed away - which I did share with the blog world!) Those that keep you coming back because they are just so good! That pretty much sums it up for me!

    By the way, I truly enjoy yours!

    ~Beth

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  2. This made me look over my reading list. I am all over the place. When I started blogging, I concentrated on a few design blogs that belonged to some very dear friends. But now I seem to read mainly writing and humor blogs, with some photography thrown in for good measure. Mainly I look for good writing and an enjoyable read, and you never, ever disappoint! Kat

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  3. I read what I find interesting--and I find most people worth a read. However, I have cut a few blogs/twitter accounts when it becomes clear that the writer, if we met on the street, would be someone I cannot stand (i.e. a hypocrite).

    I have enjoyed following your blog for a long time! :)

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  4. I like a variety of blogs. I like blogs that make me laugh and that I can relate to.

    My blog list is all over the place. But then again, so am I.

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  5. hi belle! first, in re your comment on my post a couple of days ago- yes, let's do lunch! i will email you when i get my schedule organized (my calendar is in a squalor right now... hee hee)

    secondly, i don't like heavy profanity blogs either. in fact, they shock me. i agree, though...a person's blog is his or her own perspective...each to her own. i personally just enjoy catching up with people, i have made the nicest blog friends and i love that! i also enjoy funny blogs (awkward family = hilarity, i agree). i try to stay honest on mine, it's pretty much a mish mash, but it's all me! so that's my take. :) have a great day (and stay cool... heat waveeeee! grr)

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  6. Hi Belle, I can pretty much just say "Ditto" to everything you said! When I began blogging, I only visited my writer friends' blogs, because that's really all I knew. Then when I began to go to blogs of people I saw in the Comments area, that began my blog browsing further. Then, I learned how to look for people with similar interests, such as books or movies, and I would go to their blog and introduce myself, etc. I found quite a few great blog friends that way! And I found you because you were a BON on WOW!

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  7. I have issues with my blog because I am incredibly sarcastic person, I just always have been and sometimes people don't pick up on that and I get some INTERESTING emails!

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  8. I tend to read blogs where I have something in common with the writer, i.e. a young family, similar hobbies, both in education (like us!), etc. I don't care for profanity nor do I care for a lot of sarcasm. I once worked with someone who was negative and sarcastic ALL THE TIME, and it wore me out. So I am determined to avoid those types of people as much as possible, both in real life and online.

    A question for you, as you're attemping a "de-lurker" day, how do you get people to comment on your blog? I know there are people reading, because I use a traffic feed thingy, but only 3-4 comment.

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  9. My blog reading is all over the place, too, and although I originally was introduced to blogs through the "preppy blogs", I have design blogs, mom blogs, and a lot of men's trad blogs (which is where I get most of my traffic from and where I also tend to comment the most) on my blogroll. I've whittled my reading list down a lot to only those that I find interesting and I can find at least one who is thinking just the same thing I am on that particular day. My blog is a hodgepodge and the voice I use is definitely my own. Not into whitewashing, but surprisingly have only received one negative email in the whole time I've been blogging.

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  10. I like all kinds of blogs as well (fashion, design, day to day life of my peers, mothers and others). I totally agree that I have have axed some recently that are just "woe is me" all the time.

    ...and I do enjoy your blog!

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  11. I agree with you on it all. (Except I cuss) Some blogs really bug me because it is like they only photograph and talk like their lives are perfection all of the time. Or they give the persona of who they want to be not who they are.

    Make sense?

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  12. I read all kinds of blogs, some because I think I should, others because I like them, others because I try to read the blogs of everyone who comments regularly on mine. I find that the blogs I like most either have beautiful pictures, great writing, or funny stories. And all of them still need to sound like someone real, with real feelings, is writing. I like your blog because I sense that I would like you in real life:).

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  13. I could pretty much copy and paste MOTR's response. I've actually tried to weed out some that I follow but google reader seems to take exception to my deletes. They never go away. I've only had one really negative commenter and it was during the elections.
    I would rather read blogs that are "real" instead of those that are always chirpy and fabulous. I do think that the older the blogger is, the more real the posts will be.
    The one thing that really bugs me now with blogging is how many bloggers have "sponsors" and ads. I don't care for that at all.

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  14. I drop by nearly everyday because I like your style and sense of humor. I don't re-visit those that I don't care for.

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  15. I would have to say that I have a few main categories. They are: spiritual inspiration, decorating inspiration, fashion, and finally an eclectic mix that I can't categorize any other way. I too generally avoid those that overuse profanity, although I am not a prude. There are just better ways to get your point across, in my opinion.

    I have recently deleted two separate bloggers that I had for a long time on my reader. One was having nothing but "sponsored" posts. (I'm not opposed to those posts, but throw in something else occasionally please!) and the other was someone that was supposedly had a blog focusing on one thing but just ending up posting on something else (if that made any sense).

    And as far as voice, well, I don't think I have been blogging long enough to have my own yet, really. Quite frankly, I will be honest and say that I am rarely original when it comes to anything fashion, decorating, or otherwise "feminine!" (That is why I so ardently study others blogs- I am trying to learn!) I started my blog as a way to put forth my thoughts that were too long for comments on blogs (I tend to be "wordy" as you can see) and hope that it will eventually reflect me. Hope that helps!

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  16. I like a wide variety of blogs. I love to read ones by other southerners as well as those from all over the globe. I have those that are similar to me and those not so much. I have stopped following those over loaded with profanity - I may be hypocritical here because I do cuss and somedays some profane words in the right company are just suiting, BUT I have never been one to use profanity in writing (beyond sayings or the ways you mention). I just feel saying it in known company, knowing your surrounding, and whether you would be offending someone is one thing. But putting it in writing? That is yours!

    I do not say everything that goes on - sometimes life does hit a negative spell and things just are not going the right way, but I figure folks don't REALLY want the nuts and bolts of dysfunctional homes with teenagers! Who hasn't been their to some degree. BUT getting locked in a closest can hold its humor.

    I like your blog and your voice always seems real, your stories insightful or funny. Life in another part of the south...I like it :)

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  17. my blog list is really all over the place ... i do love reading all about others and their day to day life and stories.

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  18. my blog list is really all over the place ... i do love reading all about others and their day to day life and stories.

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  19. So, I love your blog! I like blogs about decorating, family, friendship. I love the anecdotes you share. I love blogs that share info about sales, good buys, new websites, fav books. I like positive blogs! Negativity, self-pity, meanness will not make me a fan ;-)

    xoxo

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  20. First off, I enjoy your blog so much! I appreciate your humor and that you share the good and bad with your readers.

    I read lots of preppy, southern and style blogs. I am definitely sick of the blogs that are "look at me and my preciously perfect life." While I don't want to read negative blogs, I like REAL people!

    Hope you are having a great summer.

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  21. I agree with you...no blogs with bad language or those that are downers. And political ones aren't for me.

    I like blogs that combine family, faith, humor and inspiration and some recipes and decorating tips from time to time. I always enjoy my self here.

    Hugs,
    Kat

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  22. only time for one quick comment...to answer your question....there is one that does get on my nerves... "swoon". Used way too much!!

    and i don't care for music. it distracts me when i'm reading. (i do love music, but not in a blog)

    love humorous blogs because i love to laugh!

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  23. I like blogs that teach me something new, that offer light in some form, that show vulnerability, that offer really good writing. In four years of blogging, I've only ever met friends, never had a problem. Lucky me.

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  24. I like blogs with tales about life. My favorites are written by women who have young adult children, an aging parent...not naming names.

    Oh, and my mom sold her house. She should be headed your way in October. ;)

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  25. I read blogs that make me laugh! And that's why I always come back to yours!

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  26. I like all kinds of blogs. I'm a mom of a 2 year old, but I don't just want to read "mommy" blogs. I find so much inspiration from so many bloggers. I, like you, don't like really awful words or negativity. We all have stuff happen in our lives, but just because we blog doesn't mean we need to share it with the world. I struggle with someone close to me who has an awful, ugly, mean, negative blog. It's stressful for me to read. I'm glad you posted about this! :)

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  27. AMEN to that. I just posted something about this on my blog (well sort of). Someone left a nasty comment on my blog today that just made me so angry, but what made it worse was that I was at my children's school helping with registration today and the same person left a nasty email which I read on my Blackberry. It made me so thumping mad that someone would go out of their way to be rude.
    I don't have a blog because I think everyone else will like it, I blog because I like it.
    I love all kinds of blogs, especially craft blogs. They give me great ideas.

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  28. I am what you see/read about on my blog. I am drawn to blogs/bloggers with pretty much the same qualities/interests as mine. In other words, these people could very well be my friends. I rarely get into heavy discussions or politics. I'm politically interested and active but it's not what my blog is about. I also respond to every comment I get which takes some time but it's all about dialog for me. Oh yes, I'm a "southern blog" stalker! It keeps me in touch with my southern roots having been "transplanted" to the midwest.

    Thanks for the opportunity for this discussion.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  29. I am just back from vacation so I am late to the party but I only read blogs that I love. I was wasting time reading things that I didn't really like but were popular blogs and I stopped that. I like blogs where I have a repoire with the blogger. There are a couple of bloggers that I read but they don't ever respond but that is okay. I still read them. I blog but I just blog about whatever I want to.

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  30. Being a Gemini, I'm constantly changing my mind! Sometimes I'm into home decorating type blogs, sometimes fashion, sometimes cooking. The same can be said about my blog...all over the place, not just about etiquette! I don't cuss on my blog, don't talk about health issues, try not to get political, and only talk about "What I'm wearing to church"--instead of religion. I try to keep my blog upbeat, unless I'm giving out one of my "Tarnished Spoon Awards" or talking about a "Snooty Sales Clerk."

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