I think blogging, by and large, is basically therapy. And I’m sure, and I know, that there are some terrific bloggers and some legitimate bloggers. But I think a huge percentage of people who are blogging are doing it for self-therapy.                                                                                                                              Mike Barnicle

Are you writing at readers, or for readers?

Do the things you write about reveal something about you to your readers? My favorite blogs to read are those that give me brief passage into the life, thoughts and character of the writer. I like to discover as much as I can about the person pounnding those keys to express themselves.

I often read a blog called Switchbacks written by Atlanta writer, Karen Woodall. Virtually every post Karen writes starts with a personal experience. She uses her personal experiences as lead-ins to craft encouraging and uplifting messages weaving spiritual truth and her love for the Lord into her posts.

My favorite posts to write, like Karen, start with personal experiences. In my early blogging years, however, I thought I was hot stuff. I knew a lot about a lot of things, worldly and spiritual. But, I wrote my posts at people not for them.  After all, I had two college degrees and spent a career writing. I thought folks would be interested to discover how smart I was and benefit from my vast knowledge, writing talent and scriptural wisdom.  Not many readers were as impressed with me as I was.

Several years later, God told me He wanted me to write for Him. Fortunately I obeyed Him and my entire blogging life transformed into posts I wrote for people not at them. I began searching for bloggers who loved the Lord. I have since befriended a boatload of blogging friends and created rich, vibrant online relationships and friendships.

Why do you read other blogs?

I read this quote on the WordPress Participating in prompts and challenges page.

“You read blogs because you’re drawn to the personalities behind them, and that’s why others read yours. If you publish something that’s a real reflection of you — whether it’s an in-depth analysis of a political issue or a series of haiku about your bicycle — your fans will read and like it. Give yourself some credit. People like you, they really do.”

If you’re not reading WordPress, you may want to consider it. They offer a boxcar full of helpful information to help us bloggers improve and embellish our writing craft. Whether you’re a newbie to blogging or a seasoned veteran, WordPress has lots of stuff to help us improve our writing.

For instance, here’s a link to their Daily Post.
Here’s a link to their Blog Challenge Survival Guide.
Here’s a link to their Blogging University

#blogging, #creativity, #good-writing, #karen-woodall, #personal-experiences, #purpose, #satisfaction, #self-awareness, #self-prommotion, #self-therapy, #switchbacks, #therapy, #writing, #writing-goals