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Thirty-four people have visited my blog since I went to bed last night. Not one of them left a comment.
Dozens of people came by when I was writing about New Orleans, about Prince Edward Island, about Passover and Easter. With one or two exceptions, the few comments came from people I've "known" for most of my blogging life.
A couple of months ago, I heard Kathleen Norris speak a couple of times. One member of a student audience asked her what the best thing about being a writer is, and she said, "Readers."
To that I have to add, "Readers who have something to say." It's so depressing, writing away, playing with my photos, and hearing a silence as loud as if I were just messing around all by myself with my hard-cover journals.
I'm tempted to go back to AOL with its rampant advertising just to find more company.
I try to leave comments most of the time when I visit other blogs. The comments may be inane sometimes, but I do try to demonstrate my appreciation of the effort that went into the writing or artwork.
To those of you who comment regularly, thank you so much. You have no idea how grateful I am for your feedback and your willingness to reveal your presence.
17 comments:
I have not been very supportive lately, my friend, and for that I apologize. It's me, not you.
I've been getting a little creeped out by blogging, to tell the truth.
It does seem that there are lurkers out there who read your blog, but don't comment. So what are they looking for?
If they are looking for some antique trash they can rob, don't be surprised if you read about me on the news soon. If they are looking for substance within the content, I can assure you that your readers come away quite satisfied, my friend.
I have been thinking long and hard about privacy Online and I have not guarded my privacy very well, as you have.
I do know your name , and your writing style and your son's dental history, but I could never find you in a million years if I traveled up north. Though it would be nice to meet you, girl!
AOL does seem simpler. Trashy entries go over well. Quick replies are appreciated. I must say though that the friends I have here at Blogger are more important to me than the friends I had at AOL because the content of your blog and Cynthia's blog, and Lisa's blog, and V's blog,and Paul's blog etc. etc. etc... make the time and effort spent blogging worthwhile.
I've always had trouble sticking to agendas. If I don't visit for awhile please know that you are still one of my favorite bloggers. Your words are important and not trivial.
Don't stop.
Hugs.
Maryanne
I find that people read my Blogger and do not leave a comment. But never 34!! lol ...maybe 34 a week!! I do both...I'm so use to the advertisements on AOl that I don't see them anymore. It has been destroyed .... it is not the same. I think so many people were very ready to vacate that it did not take much. I still mourn the loss the community over there. Because it did not transfer to over here. Though I have found another community of sorts...older women and terrific writers all. I should update my side bar and include them.
I read your blog daily and look forward to updates. I generally only leave a comment if something comes to mind while I'm reading. I'll try and just say "hi" and "I'm here" from time to time.
I always read. I often comment. Sometimes I don't feel like I have anything to add. Other times, I decide I'm going to think about something and comment later -- it does happen that I don't make it back.
I understand completely though. Lack of comments in conjunction with AOL and my apparent inability to publish a post to Blogspot caused me to give it up. I am generally technically competent and started trying to figure it out and just decided it wasn't worth it. I'm not as good a writer or as interesting as others out there and I'm OK with that. I'll be a reader and I'll comment but I'll just enjoy my life as I live it.
The unexamined life and all may call me back. I find that writing distills my thoughts but for now I'm giving it a rest.
I read often, but I'm not a big commenter because I usually skim through blogs from Bloglines and don't go to the actual blogs. If I feel I have something interesting to say, then I'll comment. Don't take it personally--though I know how you feel. Some days it seems my blog is bombarded with comments, then I'll go days without getting a single one (and I get 80+ hits daily). I think people are glancing at a lot of blogs for just a few seconds before moving on to the next--sad, isn't it, considering how much time and thought we put into our blogs!
I did enjoy your Harpers Ferry posts--brought back some memories! Glad y'all had a nice trip.
I"m under the influence tonight, so I'm just letting it rip. Whining brings the greatest number of comments to my blogs. When I write something real and significant to me, I wonder if anyone reads it. I do miss the comments that came at AOL, but I'm with Mary Ann. A lot of the content went up a few notches with the move over here. I will apologize outright for not commenting more often. I wouldn't miss an entry from you though.
You might be asking too much of your readers. I periodically check on lots of blogs ... but I don't have time (or frankly, the inclination) to comment on every single entry. But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy them.
Hi, Robin: yea! A complaint! I mean that in the best sense. So many of us have learned (been trained) to be cheery and positive about everything. To swallow our immediate disappointment or anger and to turn it into something else (or against ourselves). You are a deeply spiritual person who so frequently looks for all the good - at least that is what I glean from your blog. And that is wonderful. Now I catch a glimpse of the foot-stamping and petulance we all experience from time to time. And you are honest enough to own up to it.
Yea, indeed!!
And don't you DARE stop blogging. Love them pics. Love them words!
Warmly, Vicky
I go back and forth with my feelings about comments. Right now I'm in a "to hell with them" space. In a week or two, I'll probably be back to stressing out about them.
One of the reasons I finally decided not to delete "Coming to Terms" and leave AOL altogether was because I still had somewhat of a readership there. Out here in bloggerland, I have not picked up one new reader. All my comments on "Better Terms" are from former AOL j-landers.
Anyway, it seems to work best for me to keep both journals, plus TBV. I can post and cross-post and generally get my message out there to the ones that matter. And hopefully, someday, to a larger crowd...
I comment...I care!!!!!!!!
Sheeeesh. I have to come back to this whining? Well, I have to admit that I am a comment snob. I need both substance and style to earn my comments.
That's why I always comment here.
I, and eighteen others, read you via Bloglines. Consequently, no comments ensue as we haven't actually been here.
Sorry, I have been pretty bad about commenting lately. I do love looking at all your beautiful photos and reading your wonderful entries though. I will try to be better about leaving some words behind.
Marian
I usually read all my favorite blogs about once a week and catch up on all the entries I've missed. Usually on a late Saturday night when I'm up waiting for one son or another. Jack insists he's moving to Maryland when he's grown so I'll read these pretty thoroughly : )
Julia
I am sorry I have not commented much lately. I have not been commenting much of anywhere lately. I have not picked up any new readers here on blogspot. and only 2 or 3 people have bothered to comment. LOL I don't get 34 people in week to my blogspot blog but I get that many and more on my AOL journal. Sorry if some of your readers seem to think AOL journals are trashy.I am keeping mine.
Kathleen Norris? I meant to ask you about her, for I have a round-about acquaintance who has been inspired by her work and suggested I reqad some of her writing, which is a joy to walk into with my mind.
The acquaintance used to be a nun, left, married, had two sons. She taught at a west coast college after being single again and ended up married to a man who was a side subject for a book she wrote.
If this woman seems interesting, she is. She and her spouse are currently teaching at a university in the U.K. while she gets her doctorate, so now we only email...but...her emails are marvelous and involved writings about faith and woman's role in faith and society, among other topics.
Before we met, I really had not noticed Kathleen Norris and nowwith you mentioning this, it is time to do more reading.
TeaShe
You are so faithful about leaving comments when you visit my journal and I really appreciate it. I will do better at yours and others, because I know how much it means...and I have been so caught up in my life, I've failed my journal friends. You have a beautiful journal here, but I know how much J-land meant to all of us and I would understand if you elected to return. I just couldn't leave. Hugs, Lisa/Cw2smom
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