In a blog post by Adam S. he mentions about great bloggers and great writers are different. I ask him how and like most the people I’ve asked how or why to, they throw the question back at me without answering it themselves. He’s the one who made the statement, why do I need to answer my own question. When people do that, “throwing the ball back into my court”, it makes me question how valid they find their own statement to be. Not the validity of the statement itself. But instead of getting into a rumble on his blog about that, I answered him. I think not every great blogger has to be a great writer, yet on a personal note I find myself being drawn only to bloggers that can write. The ones who use their words as much as imagery if not more than. Images can attract as much as they can distract.
In a past blog post of my own, I mention how I rarely put in images or graphics into my own writings (or bloggings). I’ll add to that, I will add featured images if the blog layout I desire requires it because it would look silly without them. Luckily I fell into one that I like and can do with or without the featured images.
Some bloggers who may think they are not such great writer’s will use images and memes to elaborate and supplement their posts and do so with such ingenuity it makes them a great blogger. Some are great writer’s and know themselves to be will place images not to supplement, but to heighten the piece. Then there are bloggers like myself who use only their words because they are too lazy to create images to go with their work. Unlike how Alice feels in Alice in Wonderland, I don’t read picture books so I think the ability to string along words to produce imagery in someone else’s mind or to make them think from only my words is important. It’s something I practice everyday because I love to read and I love to write, I just choose to write in a blogging platform.
Back to Adam’s post of being either the Art blogger or Conversational blogger, black and white I’d fit into the Conversational category. But in a world with color, I fit easily into both. Art is my words, my craft, my thing. I don’t need pictures to be artful. To you or someone else art can be pictures and graphics and images and sculptures or music. Whatever you deem your creative talent. I think everyone is creative in their own right. The accountant in the office, numbers are her thing. She can’t draw, doesn’t paint or write, but she puts numbers together to make a big picture down to the penny. I cannot do that. Even simple math throws me. That C.E.O for that major company that’s world wide, power is his craft and leadership his thing. Lawyer is law, Judge is law and decisions, Pharmacy Technician is medications and customer service. It may not be deemed “creative” to the people at large, but if you’re good at something, at anything artsy or not, it’s your talent and your craft.
My words are my self-proclaimed art. I use my words. Just because I want you to, does not mean you have to, but I want you to use your words. What do you have to say?
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You didn’t read my response…
Did you respond after I responded? I received no notification for it…
I did. It was pretty thorough too…tsk tsk
Oh Noes! I must go peek at it now.
Dude, it has 306 comments, I don’t want to scroll… hmph. You really going to make me scroll?
1.) I think we’ll get along just fine then!
2.)Here’s my take on your question: A good writer is someone who follows principles: Grammar, structure, punctuation, style, etc. It’s hard not to recognize a good writer when you read one. Think about this: you read a great novel from cover to cover and then what? You say *Wow, that was a really good book*. Then, after it sinks in, you begin to think about the book. You think about what it’s about, you remember the characters, you begin to analyze the dynamics between the characters, you think about the plot, and then you *share* your thoughts on all of it with someone else that read the same book. That would make a great blog post, wouldn’t it? It’s not just a piece of art anymore to just be *read* — you’ve broken down and studied all of the elements — now it’s time to exchange all of those conversational pieces with another person. That’s what I think of when I think of a good blogger. They create conversations. Artists or *writers* are the source of the conversation, but they don’t necessarily facilitate the conversation. It’s up to the reader to give the people something to hash back and fourth.
Make sense? Let me know your thoughts.
OK I scrolled. 1.) I can agree.
2.) Not so much. You are talking about technicalities like grammar, punctuation, etc. That’s not Writing, it’s part of Writing. When I create a blog post, personally, it comes from me. Someone outside of myself may have struck my thought, but I still wrote the piece. There are people who know how to write by use of term, grammar and punctuation yet they aren’t good writers. They don’t have the knack or the talent for it. I can write. I write from experience, emotion, opinion. I know the basics of grammar and punctuation, I wouldn’t call myself an expert. I am an expert at spelling though. I could not write a novel. I cannot produce a fictional story and make it into a book. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, but I believe as our world is colorful, so is the blogosphere. It’s not just black and white.
I never stated or even implied that it was a black or white concept. There are tons of grey shades throughout the whole post. I never suggested anywhere that you couldn’t be *both*, either. Another grey-shade. A lot of people are.
A note aside: without principles (even loose principles) could you put together a sentence? If someone that never learned how to read or write picked up a pencil, could they voice their experiences through words? Something to consider.
P.S. I’m doing my best to provide a meaningful response to a lot of people right now. Cut me some slack yo! \M/
I never got that \m/ thing. Yeah, when I was scrolling I notice you reply to everyone, that looks exhausting.
“A note aside:” Theoretically would it be rude to imply that to be a somewhat ‘dumb’ question? I don’t like being rude if I can control it. They could voice their words most certainly. They are able to talk, correct? Of course they couldn’t write words into a story to show what they’ve experienced. Unless they are a genius or make up their own hieroglyphics.
side note: I never said anything about one being able to write without principles, but what principles are you speaking of? Doesn’t principle loosely mean moral or am I wrong?
I didn’t pick up the greys and that probably is my bad as the black and white in your piece tended to be more predominant. I’ll re-read it.
Really, I just noted that little tip about the difference between writers and bloggers so it seemed a little black and white. My apologies.
No apologies needed! This is a great *conversation*. I don’t like when people just accept something. Ideas evolve by hashing things back and forth.
To answer your note aside, No. A firm *No*. I don’t think it’s rude at all. If I could help someone to read and write, I would. I didn’t create illiteracy. It exists, and I’m sorry it has to. It’s unfortunate, but very real. Someone that can’t write, can’t write. No further explanation needed. We’re talking about writing, not speaking.
I’m not really sure what you mean by *moral*. You’d have to elaborate more on that before I could answer.
\M/ = Rock on. Make it with your fingers right now. Go on, do it.
You said “voice” their story so I ran with it.
I don’t get you *asterisking* certain words. I think I’ve seen someone else do it. It kind of reminds me of the air quotes people always used to do.
prin·ci·ple [ prínssəp'l ] n.
1.basic assumption: an important underlying law or assumption required in a system of thought
2.ethical standard: a standard of moral or ethical decision-making
3.way of working: the basic way in which something works
Synonyms: rule, theory, notion, tenet, dogma, assumption, law
So I don’t understand what your use of principles to writing is. Someone who lacks principle can still write. Serial Killers have been known to publish books as morbid as that sounds.
What was your question again?
I don’t know if you’re trying to be facetious or serious. Either way if it’s that difficult for you to follow a “*conversation*” then I think it’s pretty over. Just my guess.
You asked me originally what I think is the difference between blogging and writing in general.
Here’s my opinion:
Blogging is meant to be interactive. That’s why there are sharing options, comment boxes, like tabs — it’s all there to make interaction possible. A good blogger, in my mind at least, is someone who makes full use of those tools. If someone creates content that makes an audience want to interact, then I’d say they’re doing it well. It’s *good blogging*.
Writing, on the other hand, can be as formal and impersonal as you’d like to make it. Technical manuals are good writing, but they wouldn’t necessarily appeal to a wide audience by comparison. It’s not engaging for the most part. Sometimes it’s purely informational. It’s an example that I can think of that doesn’t promote interaction.
You can be one or the other. Or both. It’s only my opinion.
I will say though that I took it kind of personally when you called me out on your post. I kind of makes me sound and look like an ass. Thanks.
Blogging can be impersonal and technical also. I’m just saying I don’t think it that much different.
I just wanted to credit what sparked my thoughts, which was you. It’s not like all your readers would flock to my blog and say, “hm, I like her point better.” You say blogging is interacting. I was interacting. Your site is called “right to bitch” I didn’t think you’d take it too personal. I would have called it promoting you because in no way did I say you were an ass and I did not discredit your thoughts or opinions. I was giving my readers the right to see the piece I read. I mean, I don’t have as many readers as yourself, but you don’t have as many as Dooce and I promote her all the time. Like she really needs publicity from me?
I appreciate that. Maybe I’m just tired, but it came off kind of like a put-down. I’ve been trying to talk to too many people at the same time the past two nights.
I’m not trying to have a better point. It’s just a concept that I put out there. You asked me what I thought was the difference and I was just answering your question the best I could. Like I said, it’s just an opinion — an idea. Take from it what you want out of the whole thing, throw the rest in the garbage. I’m just tryin’ to help.
Fist Bump.
I rarely apologize because I have this thing of always meaning what you say and I’m not one to believe sorry fixes everything. I am sorry that you felt like I was putting you down. I have a tendency to always want to build people up so I do apologize that you felt that way.
When I did “write”(lol) the post I hadn’t seen your actual answer and I even double checked my notifications just to be sure I hadn’t overlooked it. I blame wordpress. So I will admit I was miffed that you couldn’t just respond with an answer and how I interpreted what you said by throwing the Q back at me seemed cocky and arrogant. I don’t like cocky and arrogance. I still wanted to link you not to put you down or make a mockery of you, but to let people see what I read and I really like your blog. I just thought you were cocky for not giving me a direct answer. It was not my intention to put you down and if I were the type to be malicious as such, I wouldn’t have linked you. I gave you direct access to see what I wrote.
I do apologize for you feeling that way about what I wrote. Definitely not my intention. I guess it comes down to your right to bitch and mine to throw in some controversy. I like your blog, you now don’t seem too cocky. *fist bump*
I love interacting with people on here. That’s all you ever need to know, chick.
A lot of what I write is Satire — you’ll understand me quickly. I really do appreciate you droppin’ by and joining in. You’re the ONLY person I’ve talked to at length so far. What’s that tell you? Don’t apologize — keep doin’ what you do.
I wrote a song for you:
You’re hilarious! Right back atcha.
Well, after the above conversation I feel a little (a lot) unnecessary, but I’ll give a penny’s worth. I truly believe you are correct that everyone is creative in a personal way. There are many styles and types of intelligences.
No input or opinion is unnecessary. At least it’s all welcome here. Thank you for reading and your penny.
You guys should get a room.
Seriously, Combat Babe, I have been sitting here going through your blog off and on all day and I’m not getting any fucking work done. It’s all your fault.
Love you, too!