Comments on: Why I write http://www.ipatrix.com/1583/why-i-write/ Crossing Borders Crossing Cultures Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:20:00 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: hawkeyehttp://www.ipatrix.com/1583/why-i-write/#comment-7900 hawkeye Sun, 13 Aug 2006 16:36:57 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/2006/08/10/why-i-write/#comment-7900 saw the link you provided. Very good. Thanks saw the link you provided. Very good. Thanks

]]> By: Shivamhttp://www.ipatrix.com/1583/why-i-write/#comment-7884 Shivam Sat, 12 Aug 2006 06:26:19 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/2006/08/10/why-i-write/#comment-7884 Patrix: exactly, exactly what I'm saying. My point is that there are two types of bloggers: one who write what they feel like writing and two who write keeping in mind what sells. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the latter. When you say - "they reveal much more <em>than</em> you than about anyone else" - you mean <em>about</em> you, right?- Patrix: exactly, exactly what I’m saying. My point is that there are two types of bloggers: one who write what they feel like writing and two who write keeping in mind what sells. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with the latter.

When you say – “they reveal much more than you than about anyone else” – you mean about you, right?-

]]> By: Patrixhttp://www.ipatrix.com/1583/why-i-write/#comment-7876 Patrix Fri, 11 Aug 2006 20:26:41 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/2006/08/10/why-i-write/#comment-7876 <strong>Hawkeye</strong>, I agree that self-promotion isn't a bad thing at all. Like making profit, it is often made out to be a bad thing by some. Regarding blogger/writer-reader interaction, read this great piece, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://alistapart.com/articles/readerstayawhile" rel="nofollow"><em>Gentle Reader, Stay Awhile, I'll be Faithful</em></a> recently shared with me by Chetan. <strong>Shivam</strong>, I lost you somewhere around the 'Uncle Uncut' taunt. To me, each blogger has a choice about what he or she wishes to write about. Even if its merely a link blog, it is a consicous choice to do so. We as readers can always vote with our mouse. If they find enough readers that like their content, good for them. After all, you also are responsible for your words and actions and they reveal much more about you than about anyone else. Hawkeye, I agree that self-promotion isn’t a bad thing at all. Like making profit, it is often made out to be a bad thing by some. Regarding blogger/writer-reader interaction, read this great piece, Gentle Reader, Stay Awhile, I’ll be Faithful recently shared with me by Chetan.

Shivam, I lost you somewhere around the ‘Uncle Uncut’ taunt. To me, each blogger has a choice about what he or she wishes to write about. Even if its merely a link blog, it is a consicous choice to do so. We as readers can always vote with our mouse. If they find enough readers that like their content, good for them. After all, you also are responsible for your words and actions and they reveal much more about you than about anyone else.

]]> By: Shivamhttp://www.ipatrix.com/1583/why-i-write/#comment-7870 Shivam Fri, 11 Aug 2006 18:00:01 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/2006/08/10/why-i-write/#comment-7870 I think that when people say they write for themselves, what they really mean is that they write to write, for the sake of expressing themselves. The act of writing is different from the act of speech: when you speak you can go on and on with the everyday. But writing gives a sense closure, a satisfaction that comes with creating meaning. In blogging hyperlinking takes this a step further, when you are creating meaning not just in your immediate context. Whether or not bloggers write for themselves, they are aware that they are part of one big conversation happening in a large hall. Which is why I love the Global Voices Online tagline: "The world is talking. Are you listening." About bloggers who write specifically to 'promote' themselves, or do 'professional' blogging to make money, this sort of thing is not to be taken with shock. For every hundred chatterboxes there is a man who is willing to collect the courage to go on stage and address publicly, knowing fully well that an applause is awaiting him. Ultimately it is immaterial what the motive of blogging/writing is: what;s important is if people are reading you and are engaging with your conversation. It's a free market where content is king and self-promotion and take you only thus far. Some bloggers consciously appeal to the lowest common denominator, they are very much like The Times of India. I don't blame them: I blame those who read them. The blogosphere is full of ToI types who know that getting eyeballs means sex and humour - why, just look at Uncle Uncut's last 10 posts on any given day! I think that when people say they write for themselves, what they really mean is that they write to write, for the sake of expressing themselves. The act of writing is different from the act of speech: when you speak you can go on and on with the everyday. But writing gives a sense closure, a satisfaction that comes with creating meaning. In blogging hyperlinking takes this a step further, when you are creating meaning not just in your immediate context. Whether or not bloggers write for themselves, they are aware that they are part of one big conversation happening in a large hall. Which is why I love the Global Voices Online tagline: “The world is talking. Are you listening.”

About bloggers who write specifically to ‘promote’ themselves, or do ‘professional’ blogging to make money, this sort of thing is not to be taken with shock. For every hundred chatterboxes there is a man who is willing to collect the courage to go on stage and address publicly, knowing fully well that an applause is awaiting him. Ultimately it is immaterial what the motive of blogging/writing is: what;s important is if people are reading you and are engaging with your conversation. It’s a free market where content is king and self-promotion and take you only thus far. Some bloggers consciously appeal to the lowest common denominator, they are very much like The Times of India. I don’t blame them: I blame those who read them. The blogosphere is full of ToI types who know that getting eyeballs means sex and humour – why, just look at Uncle Uncut’s last 10 posts on any given day!

]]> By: Selective Amnesia » Chenthil suckshttp://www.ipatrix.com/1583/why-i-write/#comment-7866 Selective Amnesia » Chenthil sucks Fri, 11 Aug 2006 16:01:24 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/2006/08/10/why-i-write/#comment-7866 [...] I am appalled and dumb-struck by the audacity, impropriety and sheer jealousy of Chenthil. (And no, I will not give him a link now and make him even more popular) How can one man be so vile as to question the order of things in the blogosphere? Who is he, what provenance does he have, to offer ghost-write blogs? Who, in short, does he think he is? After all, he started off as one small time blogger, reviewing books and restaurants. Now, look at him! Just because he wanted to be on top of the PutVote.com rankings, he goes and creates a controversy. And then, when the self-righteous blogosphere busted his scam, he apparently apologises and then, creates one more controversy - he says he will ghost blog. Agreed, he does write well, with some kind of wit and intelligence. And I will also agree, the overall quality of writing in the blogosphere sucks big time, but what impertinence? [...] [...] I am appalled and dumb-struck by the audacity, impropriety and sheer jealousy of Chenthil. (And no, I will not give him a link now and make him even more popular) How can one man be so vile as to question the order of things in the blogosphere? Who is he, what provenance does he have, to offer ghost-write blogs? Who, in short, does he think he is? After all, he started off as one small time blogger, reviewing books and restaurants. Now, look at him! Just because he wanted to be on top of the PutVote.com rankings, he goes and creates a controversy. And then, when the self-righteous blogosphere busted his scam, he apparently apologises and then, creates one more controversy – he says he will ghost blog. Agreed, he does write well, with some kind of wit and intelligence. And I will also agree, the overall quality of writing in the blogosphere sucks big time, but what impertinence? [...]

]]> By: Hawkeyehttp://www.ipatrix.com/1583/why-i-write/#comment-7865 Hawkeye Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:04:30 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/2006/08/10/why-i-write/#comment-7865 if you assume that you strive to (a) earn appreciation and (b) be better at - in most things you do - then writing is no different to be singled out. I think we write because we think we are good at it. As simple as that. Probably whats different here in blogs is that - (a) and (b) mentioned above does not come as a direct 1-to-1 personal interaction (as it norm in the non-blog world) but it comes in the form of writings by other people. The detachedness of feedback makes it appear magnified. self-promotion is in fact a very good thing. if you assume that you strive to (a) earn appreciation and (b) be better at – in most things you do – then writing is no different to be singled out.

I think we write because we think we are good at it. As simple as that.

Probably whats different here in blogs is that – (a) and (b) mentioned above does not come as a direct 1-to-1 personal interaction (as it norm in the non-blog world) but it comes in the form of writings by other people. The detachedness of feedback makes it appear magnified.

self-promotion is in fact a very good thing.

]]> By: Patrixhttp://www.ipatrix.com/1583/why-i-write/#comment-7864 Patrix Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:03:06 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/2006/08/10/why-i-write/#comment-7864 <strong>Gautam</strong>, Glad you are upfront about it. And I think your blog is doing a great job of that. <strong>Saish</strong>, ok! I believe you :) Whatever the reason, blog on! <strong>M</strong>, the problem with the latter part of your sentence is that the "little" sensitivity often becomes a "lot of sensitivity" as your readers increase. No matter whatever you say, it is bound to piss off somebody in this world. Yup! We all are that crazy. Gautam, Glad you are upfront about it. And I think your blog is doing a great job of that.

Saish, ok! I believe you :) Whatever the reason, blog on!

M, the problem with the latter part of your sentence is that the “little” sensitivity often becomes a “lot of sensitivity” as your readers increase. No matter whatever you say, it is bound to piss off somebody in this world. Yup! We all are that crazy.

]]> By: mhttp://www.ipatrix.com/1583/why-i-write/#comment-7861 m Fri, 11 Aug 2006 11:56:53 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/2006/08/10/why-i-write/#comment-7861 how about we write for ourselves with a little sensitivity for the readers reactions.......... how about we write for ourselves with a little sensitivity for the readers reactions……….

]]> By: Saishhttp://www.ipatrix.com/1583/why-i-write/#comment-7860 Saish Fri, 11 Aug 2006 11:41:32 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/2006/08/10/why-i-write/#comment-7860 Hey i do not completely agree with you...I too write for myself...reasons being ...improvement in writing skills..but largely to remember all the defining moments in my life and cherish them when I grow with time and experience.. But obviously within us, we all like appreciation and attention. Hey i do not completely agree with you…I too write for myself…reasons being …improvement in writing skills..but largely to remember all the defining moments in my life and cherish them when I grow with time and experience..

But obviously within us, we all like appreciation and attention.

]]> By: Gautamhttp://www.ipatrix.com/1583/why-i-write/#comment-7859 Gautam Fri, 11 Aug 2006 07:18:39 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/2006/08/10/why-i-write/#comment-7859 I do write to become famous, and therefore to get more business. Haven't admitted it on my blog...but have <a href="http://myonlyfacade.blogspot.com/2006/04/satisfaction.html" rel="nofollow">admitted it on another forum</a> :D Gautam I do write to become famous, and therefore to get more business. Haven’t admitted it on my blog…but have admitted it on another forum :D

Gautam

]]> By: Patrixhttp://www.ipatrix.com/1583/why-i-write/#comment-7855 Patrix Fri, 11 Aug 2006 02:14:48 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/2006/08/10/why-i-write/#comment-7855 <strong>Vi</strong>, Did I forget to mention that those statistics were tongue-in-cheek? :) Vi, Did I forget to mention that those statistics were tongue-in-cheek? :)

]]> By: Vihttp://www.ipatrix.com/1583/why-i-write/#comment-7854 Vi Fri, 11 Aug 2006 01:51:42 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/2006/08/10/why-i-write/#comment-7854 Mmm, those statistics seeem shady. Musicians like to be heard, writers like to be read. I personally *do* write for myself--to improve my writing structure and grammar. I've had a journal since...6th grade, and it's just a habit I've gotten into. *shrug* -_- Mmm, those statistics seeem shady. Musicians like to be heard, writers like to be read. I personally *do* write for myself–to improve my writing structure and grammar. I’ve had a journal since…6th grade, and it’s just a habit I’ve gotten into. *shrug*

-_-

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