“My Blogging Journey” Meme

Strawberry Singh’s Meme this week is a follow up to one she did a year ago. I took part in that one, it was called the Why Do I Blog? Meme, so I thought I would take part in this one too.

Which electronic devices do you use to blog with?

A PC. If the PC is down, there is a laptop in the cabinet in the corner (in it’s original box).

 Do you have a mission statement for your blog, if so, what is it?

No but that’s okay because I know what it’s about.

Oh, you want me to tell you? OK, I’ll do that on one of the upcoming questions.

How do you feel about blogs that use their platforms to spread negativity?

Criticism is fine. Negativity is boring. It’s been done. And usually not very well.

Are you a grammar junkie? Do you thoroughly check your blog for errors before posting and/or do you judge other people’s posts if they contain errors?

When I was writing for a living, an editor would review my work. Out here in the wide open spaces of the internet, that doesn’t happen. I use spellcheck but it doesn’t catch everything and it’s wrong sometimes. I check and re-check a piece several times before I post. I use the Preview Post feature to see what it will actually look like to the reader and to see what reading it feels like. I edit as I go. I don’t post until I can read it through without stopping to fix something – no matter how long it is and no matter how many times I’ve already read it. Once I do post, I read it again. Then I read it again the next day. Sometimes I find mistakes even then. I hate that. A typo, a comma out of place. I’m not re-writing, I’m copy editing. So it’s not really about grammar at that point, at least not in the construction sense..

OTOH (editors hate nettalk and they hate when I invent words like “nettalk.” whaddaya think, one ‘t’ or two? Or two for tea?), the rules of English and the rules of Writing are not necessarily the same. (Especially if you’re not writing in English but that’s not what I’m talking about.) I’m more interested in writing with commonly used language than with “good grammar.” It’s about writing style rather than passing an English exam. Of course, you have to have a grasp of proper grammar to break or ignore the rules and do it well. (Bob Dylan wrote a line: To live outside the law, you must be honest.) And you have to be able to get your point across. But making your point is more important than the actual use of grammar. I’ve read some lengthy blog posts that left me wondering what the author was trying to say.

If you could switch blogs with another blogger who would it be?

That’s a really great question. I’m going to be interested in seeing the answers of other bloggers on this one. Unfortunately, I can’t pick one because all of my favorite bloggers post a lot more than I do, so I couldn’t do their blogs because I just don’t want to work that hard. 🙂

Has your blog/blogging style evolved over the year(s)? How?

I don’t think so.

What is the most extraordinary thing that has happened to you because of blogging?

The most extraordinary thing is that people actually read it.

When it comes to Second Life blogs, there are different styles: Fashion bloggers, Lifestyle & Travel bloggers, Informative bloggers, and more. Which style do you prefer and where do you feel your blog fits in?

As a reader, I like the Informative blogs best as I’m looking for the virtual world news. But I like features about places and people too. I guess that would be the Lifestyle & Travel categories. Another category I like to read is story blogs or IC blogs.

As a writer. my IC blog is just that. IC, RP, fiction. My OOC blogs are in the information category, I guess, but they are generally opinion or analysis rather than straight news. I have reported a few stories here, even broken a few, but that is not my goal.

I suppose in broad terms – and I think this addresses the earlier ‘mission statement’ question – I’m like the Consumer Reporter that local TV newscasts in the U.S. used to have. My approach on this blog is to address issues and offer opinions and analysis based on my own experiences using virtual worlds. And I like to have some fun in the process.

What has blogging taught you?

I really can’t think of anything. It sounds like a legit question too. I could probably fake it if I had to but it would just be BS.

Share your top 3 tips for new bloggers

1. They always say write what you love, write what you know. It’s always been good advice. 2. I read Inara Pey’s answers to Berry’s Meme and I echo her advice about covering what you want to cover, how you want to cover it regardless of what others are blogging about. I’ve certainly taken that approach here on “Journey.” 3. Never start a post with, “I haven’t blogged in so long and I’ve been meaning to and I’m going to rededicate myself…”  Just get the hell on with it.