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Why Do We Blog?
Posted under How I See It by Mike
Why is it that we sit in front of our glowing monitors, tapping our keyboards and spilling out whatever is on our minds at the time?
And why do we think that what we have to say is of any importance to those few far flung readers who might stumble upon our little piece of the internet?
My wife and I attended a play the other night called “Collective Stories.” The play was about two women writers, one a teacher and the other her student. The storyline told of the years passing and the roles of student and mentor changing. The student grew from needing her mentor to finally coming into her own.
A quote from the play made me think of today’s blog post. Why do we blog, or better yet, why do we write? The mentor in the play told her student, “Telling takes away the need to write it. It relieves the pressure. And once the tension dissipates, so does the need to relieve it. First write it, and then we’ll talk about it.”
I believe that many of us are frustrated storytellers. We have tales to tell and are in need an outlet. Let’s face it, if we relied on our family and friends as our only audiences we’d end up alienating them. Most of us come close to doing that anyways. I’ve been warned if I tell a story about my wife one more time, let’s just say the couch isn’t that comfortable.
Blogging is a place for those of us who have something to share. Be it the latest in technology, financial, pop culture or just what it’s like to raise three teenage daughters (my favorite). Without it, I would have alienated many a friend and family member long ago.
Most of us have realistic aspirations for doing this. Not many of us will make much money doing it. I’m lucky if I make enough on the ads to pay for the site and domain name.
I know that the next great American novel is not in my grasp. My wife an English teacher can attest to that, she just rolls her eyes after reading my posts and grins at my creative spelling and punctuation.
Writing relieves our pressure. It allows us to tell our stories. Blogging lets us know that we are not alone. As a community, we have found kindred spirits.
I guess I never thought about it before, but I do love to tell stories to my friends, be the center of attention and entertain them. And I’ve noticed my oldest is the exact same way.
I also enjoy the aspect of meeting nice people like you Mike, from around the USA and the world.
I do it because as a full time Mom, I have nothing that is my own. My time, my things and even my clothing wind up being shared ne borrowed without permission by my family.
My blog gives me something that is mine alone. They can read it or be a part of it, but it is mine.
WeaselMomma´s last blog ..It’s A Long Way To The Top Of Momo’s Blogroll
I have been writing since I was 9yrs old…almost 30yrs. I had some traumatic experiences and I found writing about them helped. I have written about my feelings since that time.
I write to vent and mend me. Writing allows me to stay on the sane side of the the line.
I know there are times when I write crap and I’m alright with that, because it’s what I need to do in that moment.
Poetry’sTruth´s last blog ..Still
I do it because I am full of you know what. I need to spill my thoughts from time to time and the internet offers me a captive audience. You can’t run away like so many real life people before.
Otter´s last blog ..Random Tuesday Thoughts: Student Driver
Mine was started mostly because I knew raising my son would be an exercise in frustration and irritation, so I wanted to keep a running log of it so I could later look back on it and wonder why I was always so cranky. Assuming I survive, of course.
I’m very glad of the comments I get and the following I have. That was an unexpected by entirely delightful benefit. To think that people might be interested in reading what I have to say, it’s almost surreal.
Tom´s last blog ..Father’s Day Gift Guide
[...] Hell, my boss reads this blog every once in a while. I was reading a post put out there by Mike at Unraveling Mysteries on Why We Blog, and he brings up some good [...]
Exactly!
Anne in SC´s last blog ..Terrible Tuesday
I find blogging very satisfying, because I feel like I am leaving a treasure for my kids (and grandkids, I suppose.) I also get a lot of satisfaction from telling stories that I’m afraid I’ll forget one day
Also, I know it’s corny, but I like the idea of making a difference in someone’s life by maybe making them laugh that day or think differently about something. For example, my post from Monday (?) about Molly; I really think that it could change someone’s life, and that gives me a “warm fuzzy.”
Mrs4444´s last blog ..Adventures of the Mountainous Type
I started my blog to see what “Blogging” was all about and to test the waters for my business blog.( separate & unconnected to my mom blog).
It has become so much more. I find I look at life much differently. Any event, good or bad, can end up as blog-fodder. Blogging seems to sharpen the senses. It also helps get the creative juices going. I find my Bad-Momma blog to be excellent therapy. Also blogging is a great way to document life at a particular point in time.
As a bonus to all this, I have met a wonderful “virtual support group” that I treasure!
Good post. It’s exactly why I blog. I don’t expect any $ or a huge following. Just a sense of being in the blogging community and a few virtual friends, like you.
I like it as an outlet. I let my mind wander (boy does it)
And I enjoy my readers comments. Thats what makes it worth while.
Always enjoy your Great Blog!
Those last couple lines hit the nail on the head. For me, that’s it exactly. I don’t need to make money. Don’t care about becoming famous. I just need to do it. That’s all.
terri´s last blog ..I’m sweating the small stuff…
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