Comments on: to blog or not to blog http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:39:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: jledmiston http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4045 jledmiston Thu, 29 Jun 2006 07:57:00 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4045 Good, good, good post. I'm pondering such things too. Blogging helps me write more than a sermon every week. I find that it helps with spiritual reflection in general. But that novel/screenplay still spins in my head. Good, good, good post. I’m pondering such things too. Blogging helps me write more than a sermon every week. I find that it helps with spiritual reflection in general. But that novel/screenplay still spins in my head.

]]> By: sally http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4044 sally Wed, 28 Jun 2006 16:23:00 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4044 I feel that it helps me as an introvert to find a voice, that I would otherwise hesitate to exercise. But I am aware it becomes an all consuming distraction I feel that it helps me as an introvert to find a voice, that I would otherwise hesitate to exercise. But I am aware it becomes an all consuming distraction

]]> By: jo(e) http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4043 jo(e) Wed, 28 Jun 2006 00:24:00 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4043 I've thought about this quite a bit. Blogging does take time away from other kinds of writing I do. But I am not ready to dismiss blogging as a genre; that is, to say that the writing I do on my blog is less valuable than other kinds of writing I do. When I publish a poem in a literary journal, probably about seven people read it. When I post something on my blog, about 600 people see it that day. So it's hard to say that the poem is somehow more important as a type of writing .... I’ve thought about this quite a bit. Blogging does take time away from other kinds of writing I do. But I am not ready to dismiss blogging as a genre; that is, to say that the writing I do on my blog is less valuable than other kinds of writing I do. When I publish a poem in a literary journal, probably about seven people read it. When I post something on my blog, about 600 people see it that day. So it’s hard to say that the poem is somehow more important as a type of writing ….

]]> By: Abi (revabi) http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4042 Abi (revabi) Tue, 27 Jun 2006 20:54:00 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4042 Well, I can understand Sarah Hepola's reasons for stopping. I like blogging. I know I make a lot of errors, especially when I am in a hurry, it is late at night, or the kids are a distraction. But it has also challenged me to use my creative side, and my thinking side. I think my sermons have even improved since I started bloggin. And I too like the community. I like to read other people's thoughts and ideas. It has helped me being a Pastor, mom, wife, and person to read your lives, your stories, your thoughts. Well, I can understand Sarah Hepola’s reasons for stopping. I like blogging. I know I make a lot of errors, especially when I am in a hurry, it is late at night, or the kids are a distraction. But it has also challenged me to use my creative side, and my thinking side. I think my sermons have even improved since I started bloggin. And I too like the community. I like to read other people’s thoughts and ideas. It has helped me being a Pastor, mom, wife, and person to read your lives, your stories, your thoughts.

]]> By: Lorna http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4041 Lorna Tue, 27 Jun 2006 20:05:00 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4041 these comments are so good to read. I'm glad we blog. I'm glad we are community. I'd love to see some of us in print someday - and I'm realistic enough to realise that some of us will fall off the blogging bandwaggon at some point - but I'm glad we're here at this time and this place. The writings of so many of you - and your lives- has impacted me! For that I praise God! these comments are so good to read. I’m glad we blog. I’m glad we are community. I’d love to see some of us in print someday - and I’m realistic enough to realise that some of us will fall off the blogging bandwaggon at some point - but I’m glad we’re here at this time and this place.

The writings of so many of you - and your lives- has impacted me! For that I praise God!

]]> By: spookyrach http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4040 spookyrach Tue, 27 Jun 2006 15:40:00 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4040 I agree with willsmama's first comment. That's it in a nutshell. The only writing I was doing before blogging was a spoof departmental newsletter called the Restroom Reader. I know I can write, but I never made the time for it before. I also know that a lot of my writing could be so much better if I would polish it instead of hitting "publish post" as soon as I dash off the first draft. But that's ok. I like this medium. I am awesomely surprised that I have 'met' new and interesting and excitingly like-minded people as a result of blogging. I'd love to write a book. But I've been saying that since the third grade. Right now, I'm happy with blogging. I agree with willsmama’s first comment. That’s it in a nutshell. The only writing I was doing before blogging was a spoof departmental newsletter called the Restroom Reader. I know I can write, but I never made the time for it before. I also know that a lot of my writing could be so much better if I would polish it instead of hitting “publish post” as soon as I dash off the first draft.

But that’s ok.

I like this medium. I am awesomely surprised that I have ‘met’ new and interesting and excitingly like-minded people as a result of blogging.

I’d love to write a book. But I’ve been saying that since the third grade. Right now, I’m happy with blogging.

]]> By: mibi52 http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4039 mibi52 Tue, 27 Jun 2006 14:31:00 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4039 Blogging for me is about a range of writing styles. Sometimes it's fun - just a check-in with my blogging friends. Sometimes (much more rarely) it's a serious piece of writing that I've chewed on for a while. The imeediacy of the feedback that I get for pieces like that are helpful to my writing. of course, the immediacy of feedback I get to the informal stuff and requests for sympathy, sharing of joys, silly bits etc. are so valuable in another way, the way of building community. Had anyone told me a year ago that I'd be doing this, and loving it, I'd have been shocked. The experience of joining together with the RevGals for our two books of devotionals pushed my writing into a new place, which was just wonderful. Besides which, you've all taught me so much about being a woman of faith, and being an ordained woman. I've been blessed by the blogging! Blogging for me is about a range of writing styles. Sometimes it’s fun - just a check-in with my blogging friends. Sometimes (much more rarely) it’s a serious piece of writing that I’ve chewed on for a while. The imeediacy of the feedback that I get for pieces like that are helpful to my writing. of course, the immediacy of feedback I get to the informal stuff and requests for sympathy, sharing of joys, silly bits etc. are so valuable in another way, the way of building community. Had anyone told me a year ago that I’d be doing this, and loving it, I’d have been shocked. The experience of joining together with the RevGals for our two books of devotionals pushed my writing into a new place, which was just wonderful.

Besides which, you’ve all taught me so much about being a woman of faith, and being an ordained woman. I’ve been blessed by the blogging!

]]> By: Mary Beth http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4038 Mary Beth Tue, 27 Jun 2006 14:15:00 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4038 I am a reader, and I am a writer. I have known that all my life. These are two of my most important and central identities. HOWEVER... Seven years of grad school (working on a two-year MA in English Lit) squashed and smunched and spoiled these things for me. This is not a comment on the program as such, but more about me and where I was and what happened to me during that time. (I graduated in 1994.) It's only been in the last three years that I have been able to read like I used to - voraciously, drowningly, life-givingly. And it's only in the past year and a half, since I started my blog, that I've been able to write again. I'm writing on the blog, AND I'm writing off of it. But the blog has re-opened a door that academic writing had slammed on my fingers. I don't know when or if I'd have had the courage to try to re-open the door myself. Thanks be to Blog! and RGBP! I am a reader, and I am a writer. I have known that all my life. These are two of my most important and central identities. HOWEVER…

Seven years of grad school (working on a two-year MA in English Lit) squashed and smunched and spoiled these things for me. This is not a comment on the program as such, but more about me and where I was and what happened to me during that time. (I graduated in 1994.)

It’s only been in the last three years that I have been able to read like I used to - voraciously, drowningly, life-givingly.

And it’s only in the past year and a half, since I started my blog, that I’ve been able to write again. I’m writing on the blog, AND I’m writing off of it. But the blog has re-opened a door that academic writing had slammed on my fingers. I don’t know when or if I’d have had the courage to try to re-open the door myself.

Thanks be to Blog! and RGBP!

]]> By: teri http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4037 teri Tue, 27 Jun 2006 14:05:00 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4037 I have found that I write more because I blog. I have always known I was a relatively good writer...but not with the confidence to write for other people. I always have things in my head waiting to get out (and giving me no peace until they get out!), but I've never been able to develop the discipline of journaling or anything like that. I have also found that my own voice was never trained out of my writing style--either personal or academic--and I enjoy writing in a way that makes people who know me hear my voice, and those that don't wonder what I would sound like saying things. I don't particularly want to write a book (unless it's a book of worship resources...I absolutely love writing liturgy), so it's less of an issue for me on that front. Yes, sometimes my writing is sloppy, but it's still me. (for the record, I always use complete words and correct grammar in text messages!) My blog is a place where I can be myself for my friends and family, and where I can make new friends. It keeps people in the loop about what's going on in my life and my head. On the other hand, because my friends and family read it, I can't always be completely honest about what's going on if they are irritating me! That was a really long comment and I'm sorry...but having had a blog for almost as long as the author of this article, I just want to ultimately say that I have never thought of shutting my blog down. I gain too much from it in terms of clarity, community, and practice. I have found that I write more because I blog. I have always known I was a relatively good writer…but not with the confidence to write for other people. I always have things in my head waiting to get out (and giving me no peace until they get out!), but I’ve never been able to develop the discipline of journaling or anything like that. I have also found that my own voice was never trained out of my writing style–either personal or academic–and I enjoy writing in a way that makes people who know me hear my voice, and those that don’t wonder what I would sound like saying things.

I don’t particularly want to write a book (unless it’s a book of worship resources…I absolutely love writing liturgy), so it’s less of an issue for me on that front. Yes, sometimes my writing is sloppy, but it’s still me. (for the record, I always use complete words and correct grammar in text messages!) My blog is a place where I can be myself for my friends and family, and where I can make new friends. It keeps people in the loop about what’s going on in my life and my head.

On the other hand, because my friends and family read it, I can’t always be completely honest about what’s going on if they are irritating me!

That was a really long comment and I’m sorry…but having had a blog for almost as long as the author of this article, I just want to ultimately say that I have never thought of shutting my blog down. I gain too much from it in terms of clarity, community, and practice.

]]> By: Xpatriated Texan http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4036 Xpatriated Texan Tue, 27 Jun 2006 13:31:00 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2006-06-26/to-blog-or-not-to-blog#comment-4036 The best way I can summarize is this: Most forms of writing take the reader along for a ride. The writer is in complete control from start to finish. It's a monologue. Blogging is a dialogue - which leads to community building and friendship. I can also lead you to not explain yourself fully the first time around - which is good in a blog and bad in a book. XT The best way I can summarize is this:

Most forms of writing take the reader along for a ride. The writer is in complete control from start to finish. It’s a monologue.

Blogging is a dialogue - which leads to community building and friendship. I can also lead you to not explain yourself fully the first time around - which is good in a blog and bad in a book.

XT

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