Liz Strauss at Successful Blog has asked her readers to think about community, connectedness, being linked together, synchronicity, serendipity and oneness.
And then she gave us this challenge.
Put our thoughts into a sentence or phrase of exactly 25 words, illustrating how we each believe bloggers are connected.
Here are my 25 words.
.
.
FROSTY SUNRISE
A blogger’s words may grow icy with frost;
a published presence, subscriptions lost.
But wireless pathways and creative minds,
share colourful comments that forever bind.
.
I had no idea what was going to bounce off the keyboard when I started this.
But, while playing with the words and the rhymes an idea started to take shape. This poem/meme has given voice to a not so frosty post over at The Writer’s Manifesto Blog, entitled “Do You Really Care About Your RSS Feed”.
In this rant of a post Monika says, “Personal interaction is worth so much more than awe-inspiring RSS feed subscription numbers.”
In her comment section I shared that, “I recently unsubscribed from one blog because the blogger rarely replied to comments. You know what that’s like? Going to a party where all the guests sit around in the living room chatting, eating snacks, waiting for the host or hostess who never shows up.”
I enjoy replying to comments and reading the playful and sarcastic banter in the comments section on other blogs. I get excited when my subscriber count goes up too.
But personally, I get greater satisfaction from connecting with readers and other bloggers through our comments. Blogging would be pretty boring without that.
My next post has yet to be given a title. It is a submission to the Life Balance Group Writing Project and if you want to participate there is still time. The deadline is October 26th.
Please share your comments below and if you enjoyed this article don’t forget to subscribe to the feed so you don’t miss any upcoming posts.
Photo Credit: Mark Wakefield
40 comments
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October 17, 2008 at 2:56 am
Evelyn Lim
My goodness! Wow….just wow!! I love your 25 words! It’s beautifully expressed and written!
I’m glad to be connecting with you. My blogging life has become more rich with all the online friends I’ve been making recently! Thanks, too, for writing such lovely posts! I’d be looking forward to reading your post on the Life Balance Project!
October 17, 2008 at 3:25 am
davinahaisell
Hi Evelyn.
Gee thanks! Like you, I too am enjoying all the connections here. Your contribution to the Life Balance Project was beautiful. There was a lot of wisdom in the story and it was down to earth. I’m struggling with my version… guess I’m off balance
October 17, 2008 at 4:22 am
createabalance
Wireless pathways, creative minds, and colorful comments are many reasons why I am hooked. And I know, regardless of where all our paths lead, so many of you will forever be part of my footprint of live.
October 17, 2008 at 6:37 am
Barbara Swafford
Hi Davina – I LOVE your poem. It says it so well.
Like Evelyn said, connecting with other bloggers is such a joy, and cyberspace friends are the best. I just wish I had more time.
October 17, 2008 at 8:22 am
Harmony/Goldenzen
It definately takes time, and I find that many bloggers only get out and around once a month or so.
I feel like if I write only, and don’t go visiting, I am not writing to anyone, more like just to hear myself talk. And no one needs more of that..(me talking!)
Thanks you are right, it is a precious connection with folks we would never meet.
Blessings!
October 17, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Lance
Very, very nice Davina. We connect through the comments. In powerful ways…
October 17, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Dave Fowler
Davina, I love this.
I’ve become increasingly frustrated with the bigger bloggers. They keep punting out posts entitled ‘How to Engage Readers’ and then fail to follow through on their own advice. That’s bloody arrogant if you ask me.
For those blogs where the comment numbers are heavy, I wouldn’t expect every single comment to be answered, but some interaction would be nice.
I’ve been to countless big blogs and asked decent and relevant questions, or related my own experience only to be met with stony silence. It’s a pain. It’s not like I’ve asked them for any money or a night with their wife!
Thanks for the link to Monika’s article. A very enjoyable read.
I’m with you. Talk to the people who talk to you.
October 17, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Urban Panther
I did this one over on another site, but decided to try it again to see if something different pops up…and it did….here goes:
“I write to solidify my thoughts and to share the wonder of experiences with others. They share back and an ever expanding community is forged.”
I check my feedburner stats once a month (when I remember). I don’t look at the actual numbers, just to see if there is growth. There is (yay!) and to me that means I am successfully creating a comfortable ‘lair’ for people to curl up in and have a chat.
October 17, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Maya
How beautiful! A little bit frost and a little bit color in your poetry
Certainly …. I connect more with myself and other bloggers through the comments. I spend more time on comments than I do on actually reading the posts but I think that is so important … I want to contribute meaningfully to any conversation I join …
But Davina, I am learning that it also means there are only so many blogs I can visit and comment on …so my RSS count will have to grow slowly. I have accepted that part
October 17, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Marelisa
Hi Davina: You’ve written an ode to your commentators
Very creative. I love getting comments on my blog, and I also enjoy responding to them. I know what you mean about leaving a comment on a blog and not getting a reply from the blog owner. You take the time to visit a blog, read what they write, think about it, and leave a comment, and then . . . nothing. I think it makes the blog look neglected. I’m participating in the Life Balance Group Writing Project too!
October 17, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Cath Lawson
Hi Davina – that is brilliant. I must admit, I also meant to do my 25 words this week but forgot. Is the closing date up yet?
I read Monika’s post on RSS also and put in my opinion. I research how blogs are doing a lot, traffic wise etc and also where they’re getting their traffic from. Mostly because I’m trying to work out what to do myself and also I’m trying to see what type of posts give them traffic spikes.
And honestly – some of those RSS figures that are in the thousands are definitely fiddled. And like you – I really hate when bloggers persistently ignore folk – especially when they ask questions.
I think, if they become overwhelmed, they should try doing what Steve Pavlina did and start a forum. And talking of Steve Pavlina – I’ve noticed he always comments if folk mention him in their posts. I can think of some bloggers who get linked to hundreds of times and never utter a word of thanks even.
October 17, 2008 at 11:32 pm
davinahaisell
Hi Stacey.
And there will be a lot of footprints that’s for sure!
Hi Barbara.
I’m glad you liked it. I know what you mean about wishing there was more time.
Hi Harmony.
I hear you. Finding the balance seems to be the biggest challenge of all.
Hi Lance.
The comments are also great because each blogger has a different voice. I notice that I bring different voices to different comment sections; voices that might not necessarily speak on my own blog.
Hi Dave.
You’re welcome. Yes, I’ve visited blogs with more than 100 comments and don’t think in those cases that each comment needs to be dealt with. But you’re right that some interaction would be nice, even if it is to address everyone with a couple of comments. I believe with so many comments that there might be a common theme that could be addressed with just a few replies. But… I haven’t had that many comments to deal with so I can’t say for sure.
Hi Urban Panther.
I love your 25 words! The part about the ever expanding community reminded me of that video that Robin included in her last post for Blog Action Day, about the expanding universe. Could apply here right? The blogosphere just keeps growing.
Hi Maya.
What? You mean there are limits? *smile* I hear you; one step at a time. It takes the fun out of it if you try to force things.
Hi Marelisa.
Blogging seems to be so much about interaction and community and that’s where comments come in. Recently a few bloggers have closed their comments on some posts though and I thought the effect was very good.
Hi Cath.
Shoot! Unfortunately the deadline was 1 am Chicago time today, the 17th. I should have emailed you. There was a small note at the bottom of my Tribute Post about it, but I know we all don’t read every word of every post. Sorry you missed it. But, you can still do a post about it anyway. I’d still love to read your 25 words.
As for comments and links, I appreciate a good post and like to help out with StumbleUpon or Digg. But it’s especially annoying when a blogger specifically asks you to Stumble or Digg their post and then offer no thanks to you for doing it!
October 18, 2008 at 7:39 am
Liara Covert
This is yet another meaningful post that you choose to use to inspire. One challenge for some people would be to limit themselves to 25 words. If you believe reasons for synchrony are infinite and all-poerful, you may not have words to describe the sensations you feel. That is fine. Use telepathy.
October 18, 2008 at 8:03 am
davinahaisell
Hi Liara.
It was a challenge to use only 25 and exactly 25 words, but fun. Telepathy would sure make blogging a lot easier
October 18, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Patricia
Thank you Davina for the picture poem…it was lovely.
I think a great deal of living is all about connections and appreciation and you have shared those ideas in such a gracious way. I thoroughly enjoyed your Thanksgiving gratitude post also…and how you refer to other blogs and writers as well…
I learned something new today from your writing and learning something new is always a treat for me. Thank you
October 18, 2008 at 11:01 pm
davinahaisell
Hi Patricia. You are welcome. A little bit of appreciation goes a long way. I’m glad you found some learning here — thank you for saying so.
October 19, 2008 at 2:08 am
Amy Derby
Hey Davina! Loving your 25 words.
I know what you mean about unsubscribing from blogs. I’ve unsubscribed from a few that way. I like how you put that (the party metaphor). It really ISN’T any fun when the blogger doesn’t show up to the party.
October 19, 2008 at 6:14 am
davinahaisell
Hi Amy. Welcome to the party
I tend to think that if a blogger chooses not to reply to comments, they should close them. Your avatar is so cute!
October 19, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Leanne Magraith | Forever Change
Hi Davina
A very clever use of your 25 words – you said so much with so few words.
I can relate to what said in reply to Lance. I sometimes bring a different voice to other blogs (in the comments section) that I may not necessarily use on my own blog. I am still struggling to find my voice in blogging so this “experimenting” is good way for me to help discover my own voice.
October 20, 2008 at 2:25 am
Bamboo Forest
That’s a nice poem.
And of course, I love reading comments after I write an entry; it’s very rewarding to see how people respond to what you have to say.
I must admit, though, that I really love a big RSS! :]
October 20, 2008 at 3:05 am
veredd
Beautiful poem.
I’m still trying to make sense of blogging. It’s difficult to ignore the numbers, but ideally, I would like to do just that: ignore them.
October 20, 2008 at 8:23 am
davinahaisell
Hi Leanne.
Maybe you could experiment and write different posts with different voices… See how that feels and what the response is. After all, the title of your blog is “Forever Change” *smile*
Hi Bamboo Forest.
I get that RSS thing. It’s like a reward or confirmation that you are doing something right if your RSS numbers increase. I actually lost 2 over the last day (my first decline), and my heart sunk… briefly. This blogging thing (whatever it is), is more enjoyable than I thought it would be and I’ve realized that my enjoyment continues, no matter the RSS number.
Hi Vered.
Me too! Blogging has become a big part of my life but I have to smile when I mention that word to friends. Their eyes glaze over. And that’s how I feel about it sometimes too.
October 20, 2008 at 2:27 pm
25 Words that Connect Us — Pass It On!! - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once.
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October 20, 2008 at 10:25 pm
spaceagesage
Got to love those colorful moments! Your 25 words are lively and so true. Blogging may change for me, but I love the interaction among familiar online voices like yours.
October 21, 2008 at 1:00 am
Amy Derby
Davina, I tend to agree. If you don’t want to respond to comments, why have them there? LOL Glad you like the sheep.
October 21, 2008 at 5:05 am
davinahaisell
Hi there SpaceAgeSage.
Now I’m curious. Might blogging be changing as a result of your recent media fast?
Hi Amy. Yah!
October 21, 2008 at 9:01 am
Kelly@SHE-POWER
I love your 25 words, and I agree community is the best reason to blog. If I had to have a rapidly growing subscriber base to keep going I would have given up ages ago. It’s the comments that make me feel like the time spent blogging is worth it. It’s great to express myself of course, but the people are what blogging is all about.
Kelly
October 21, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Dot
I agree, the comments make a blog come alive, especially if the blogger joins in so that it’s a dialogue. Or even better, when the commenters and the blogger all talk to each other. Otherwise, it’s like one is writing just to be read, with no reaction.
By the way, that photo is stunning.
October 21, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Natural
great poem. the less words there are to type, the harder it seems to do, but you did a good job with it
Personal interaction is worth so much more than awe-inspiring RSS feed subscription numbers – i like this thought, so true. my subscriber no. has increaded a little, but i don’t concern myself with it. i love the interaction in the comment section. you do get to know people and get to talk directly to them.
October 21, 2008 at 11:18 pm
davinahaisell
Thanks Kelly.
“The people are what blogging is all about”. So true. Blogging to yourself seems verrry similar to talking to yourself. Just one big dump!
Hi Dot.
Without comments, it’s like just reading a newspaper or magazine article (not that there’s anything wrong with that). But there is much more to blogging I believe that just reading. Yes, I love that photo – thanks to Mark Wakefield.
Hi Natural.
You know what? The hardest thing was letting go of the other words that were part of this message. Do you find that when you are writing you get attached to certain words?
October 22, 2008 at 11:16 am
Robin
I love your poem, Davina.
You know, I think there’s just simply different types of blogs – it’s just a medium. Some just give information or tell stories, like books and magazines do, and some are interactive.
Now I LOVE the interactive bit – interactive blogging is the most incredible phenomenon, I reckon. Could we have imagined a few years ago that we could have these intertwined online magazines/columns going, where we could write what we wanted, get artistic how we want, and have written responses to our “articles” almost immediately, and we could reply to them – and so could other people! And everyone helps each other, which is what makes it all work well, and we can choose whether to interact or not, as we go along.
Amazing!
October 22, 2008 at 7:18 pm
davinahaisell
Thanks Robin.
No, a few years ago I wouldn’t have imagined ANY of this in my wildest dreams! We’ve come a long way. And until I read your comment, I hadn’t even stopped to consider how much I appreciate all this. I get so used to clicking buttons and links with immediate results. Talk about spoiled! Thanks for waking me up to that.
October 23, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Kathy @ Virtual Impax
DARN! I missed the deadline but I couldn’t begin to even TRY to compose something after reading your 25 words. (It would be like a 1st grader trying to copy the Sistine Chapel!)
THAT WAS TRULY BEAUTIFUL!!!
Everyone’s blog is a different experience. Yours is definitely a cozy shop where as you walk in, the owner invites you to sit down and share a cup of tea! Some of the big blogs are more like a Costco – when you enter the store you’re supposed to grab your cart, get your stuff and get out.
October 24, 2008 at 4:17 am
davinahaisell
Hi Kathy. Awwwh, thanks! That is SO what I’m going for on this blog. I want to set an inviting, comfortable mood for the reader. And BTW… it took me over 5 hours to come up with these 25 words; that’s 5 words an hour. I think probably anybody who was crazy enough to take that much time could probably come up with something they were proud of. And, I have to say that I am PROUD of these 25 words!
October 24, 2008 at 5:18 am
Jannie
Wow, pretty cool 25 words for off the cuff. You write songs too?
October 24, 2008 at 5:19 am
Jannie
Well, maybe not off the cuff, I see now 5 hours. A rather longish cuff, a sleeve extention , if you will
October 24, 2008 at 8:43 pm
davinahaisell
Hi Jannie. Thanks! I’ve fantasized about writing songs (words only) but didn’t pursue it. Do you think I could? Do know a singer?
Yes, I had a lot up my sleeve on this one!
October 25, 2008 at 1:16 am
25 Words That Connect Us - Pass it on! — The Broad Brush
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October 30, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Pink Ink
Hello Davina
. I love your simple poem. I usually don’t write poetry, but I love that I can experiment on my blog. And like you, I start writing and I don’t know where it’s heading…
And I can relate to what you are saying. I do love blogs that interact with their commenters, even if it’s going to your own blog and leaving a comment. Makes you feel like they care!
October 30, 2008 at 10:20 pm
davinahaisell
Hi there Pink Ink.
Welcome! I love the name of your blog. It’s great when you can go with the flow isn’t it? Blogs are a good place to share and receive feedback, and be encouraged to keep going.