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| Sin # 3 Too many duck photos! |
It made me sad when I caught myself pretending that everybody out there in cyberspace cared about what I thought, when really nobody gives a shit. And when I multiplied that sad feeling by all the millions of people in their lonely little rooms, furiously writing and posting to their lonely little pages that nobody has time to read because they're all so busy writing and posting, it kind of broke my heart. Naoko Yasutani on blogging from:
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth L. Ozeki
So far, I'm absolutely enchanted by Ruth's book. The character Naoko describes her grandmother as someone worthy of being a time being. Because Nao's grandmother is special. She holds time sacred and has even published her words and stories, therefore, making her mark on time. As an aspiring writer, and a time being myself, after all, everyone is, I want to leave my written words in the undulating folds of time. I mean, wouldn't it be wonderful to write a book that would be grabbed off the shelf of an antique store, and read, by a future resident of time?
But for now, time barely hiccups while I publish yet another tepidly received blog post. Ha!
That's why I started this post off with a quote from Ruth's book. It really describes my love/hate relationship with blogging. I've visited so many blogs that are worthy of time. Bravo to those folks. But there are so many others, that just mindlessly hook up to links, without producing any interesting content. We all know a few blogging offenders on our virtual rounds. Don't we? Of course, what makes good content is personal and subjective to each of us. But here's what I perceive to be a negative example:
I used to be visited by a blogger I deemed, the duck lady. Apparently, she never left her farm, but blogged passionately and religiously. And her farm was frequented by ducks. Many, many, many ducks. Each week she would photograph these ducks and post every redundant blurry duck photo, whether it was good or not. Each week I would dutifully return her comments, and wonder, what in the heck am I going to say about her latest duck photo? I'm creative. But not that creative.
Uff da Lutefisk. I was at a complete loss. Eventually, she stopped visiting my blog.
Here are 5 blogging sins from the unofficial book of Sharon...
1) Publishing 1 marginal photograph each post, just so you can hook up to one of the numerous weekly memes/links. If it is marginal, please include at least one cute kitten or puppy. Then, it's O.K.
2) Leaving 100's of comments on blogs all over the world, just to attract visitors to your own blog. That part is O.K., but usually, these offenders don't even read the blogs they're commenting on. They just want return visits. Well, who doesn't?
3) Duck photos. Enough said. (except when I post a duck photo, which of course is O.K. in the unofficial book of Sharon)
4) Redundant photos. See above. Please people. Filter out the repetitive duds.
5) O.K. This one always gets my goat. You visit a blog and they don't visit you. But that's not the worst part. They leave a return comment for you...wait for it...on their own gall darn blog. Ga! I hate that!
Now, to see some beautiful Panama birds, with nary a duck in sight, stop by Sharon's Paws Create!
8 comments:
I Love your blogs, Sharon, your pictures and your text as well. I hope you are not including ME in that rant. I do try to visit the blogs of those who comment on my blogs, but I also lose interest and stop following them if they don't even acknowledge me at all. I really like ducks, though. :-)
Quack! Now I'm off to ponder which of the five I'm guilty of!
What DJan said! I figure the duck ladies of the world will quickly lose interest in me so I'm not too fussed by them. I've really enjoyed the back and forth with you and some other special bloggers. It makes it fun for me and keeps me blogging.
Hello Sharon, I try to visit everyone that leaves a comment for me. There are many blogs I visit that will never leave a comment for me but that does not stop me from visiting their blog.
I have to admit I love ducks, puppies and kitten photos. Bring them on! I am not a writer and I blog mostly to record the birds, animals and scenery I have seen. My blog post will be enjoyed by me and my hubby when we both loose our memories, lol! Thank you so much for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!
Can we add word verification to your list of blogging sins? https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/06/west-side-story.htmlI hate that... ESPECIALLY the ones that are basically illegible.
Thanks for joining the party at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/06/west-side-story.html
Well said Sharon.
Ha-ha! More duck photos, please!
What about those who post multiple posts to any meme?
Or those impossible captchas ;)
Absolutely brilliant post, Sharon! I loved the quote at the beginning...thought you had written it at first. Ruth sounds like an awesome writer. As you are as well. It is so TRUE!!!!
The thought that I am leaving something for strangers to read, for future descendants to read, has always meant a great deal to me. I have always wanted my writing to be a legacy, a connection. I am a "paper" person too, and don't like blogs that share writing, particularly online, because to me it is just going to get lost in the ether. I have participated in a couple, but would rather do my writing on paper. As for blogging...it is one of the most frustrating things in the world, as well as one of the most satisfying. But, it is definitely FRUSTRATING! I feel that blogging is a place mostly for photos, though I have to make an exception for you, because I love this writing/reading/reviewing blog of yours! Of course, there's our own book club blog too. But in general, photo blogs are awesome, as long as the people posting the photos are great photographers, travel a lot, or have some fascinating things close to home to share. If some witty, intelligent, wonderful commentary accompanies it, all he better. BUT, there are people who have twenty photos and commentary on each post, and those are hard. I have had my share of "long" posts so I am just as guilty, but I try not to. I love memes, but sometimes you see participation from those who aren't following the theme of the meme (ooh, I am so rhymey today! :-) ) Blogging can be a great deal of fun! But it can also be a burden. You feel guilty of you don't comment on every single post you see, and get back to every single comment made on your own posts. You get "behind" and start stressing out. You are on a roller coaster ride and you can't get off! That part makes blogging less fun. But, I have made some incredible connections through blogging, and for that I am very grateful. I generally really enjoy most of my "blogger friends." And yes, fifty zillion photos of ducks (or, this time of year, there have been a lot of great blue herons, too) gets a little old. I am not getting out to get any photos right now because of the heat, and don't want to post some archival shots. I have a lot of hummingbird shots (those too can get old) and quails, and doves...desert scenery. Almost everyone has seen most of what I have. Don't want to belabor the "facts." Have been in a weird "funk" anyway, in this limbo state of needing to leave AZ and not yet ready to make OR home. I am rambling....:-)
Hope you have a great week. I will visit when I can. I am writing a little, but mostly packing. Take care and keep these witty posts coming!
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