Discussions
Are bloggers terrible writers?
Posted by coolbuster • 3/14/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blogging, poll
A government school expressed interest in inviting me to speak about blogging in front of an estimated three thousand people, more or less, in August this year. I started organizing my topics. One of the interesting pros and cons questions that I will discuss is: "Are bloggers terrible writers?"
To all ya bloggers out there, please help me out on this one. The answer can be a simple Yes or No but an elaboration is appreciated. I will pick up the top ten best explanations and incorporate them in my topics for the planned speaking engagement.
What's in it for bloggers? Traffic.
During the affair, I will show in a Powerpoint presentation the names, photos or banners, and the web addresses (of course!) of bloggers with best answers who can make it to the top ten. Three thousand more or less students, teachers and people from the academe are a lot of traffic.
Please participate by clicking your answer in the poll and your explanation in the comments section of my post.
Thank you so much in advance.
User Comments
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anyone care to answer? =)
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I think that there is a different skill involved with writing blog posts, than say writing a term paper. You have to get to the point quickly and once reached there is nothing wrong with drilling in your point. Sometimes that process can be difficult though, especially for more traditional writers. There are also those hacks who just quote people and highlight what they are trying to say in a different text color. Oh... wait
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I am still thinking about my answer.
Briefly, I would say that the percentage of good bloggers is probably about equal to the number of good writers in general. The world is full of mediocre novelists, why not mediocre bloggers?
Most of the blogs I have read are poorly written with the exception of a few. The few that I admire are lucid, lyrical, intelligent and shed light on the human experience.
I usually do not read specialized blogs on technology. I also tend to avoid blogs that claim to offer decorating tips or crafting advice. I have very little patience for people giving me advice on aesthetics. I actually have very little interest in those topics. That being said, I cannot testify to the writing quality on a wide range of specialized blogs.
I am not trying to insult my BC friends. I think the quality of blogs on BC is actually really high. My comments are certainly not meant as an indictment on the interests or professions of these people. I enjoy interacting with all different kinds of bloggers on these forums.-
Same here!
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I'll agree with StillThinking...
I think that there are several CLASSES of Blogger, but in short you can probably break it down into four groups.
Serious Bloggers who are good writers - I would like to think I am in that group.
Serious Bloggers who are poor writers, but try.
Hobby Bloggers who are OK writers but have little to say.
Hobby Bloggers who are trying to find a way to make money.
I may be a little off with this assessment, but I do not think I am too far off mark.
The Bloggers like me continue to write in the hopes of drawing more attention to ourselves, but we try and keep ourselves heading in the right direction. -
What about the quantity...???
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Terrible writers? Nah.
Quite a lot of them are, especially those who just put some filler text between the ads. But there are a few who do it for the sake of writing and nothing else. Those guys don't want traffic. They want readers.
Some, like me, don't bother too much with looking to get readers, and much less with ads (I block ads! Do you hear me, spambots?). My blog is just my journal.-
Your blog reads very natural and relaxing. I like it as it is.
Good or bad writing can mean personality.
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I actually excelled at writing in school. But i've also been criticized for the style in which i write my blog. For me, it's cathartic. I've mentioned before that i type exactly as i'd speak. As far as what's generally considered good writing, i could do a much better job.
But that's not why i blog. I'll save the good writing for school assignments. Blogs can be internet journals. I just vent and bitch as i would if i were speaking to someone face to face. I don't write rough drafts. I just allow my fingers to type in a stream of consciousness kind of way. If i attempted to write as articulately and eloquently as possible, it would defeat the whole purpose of the blog being implemented as a fun stress reliever. It would be less real.
Of course, that only applies to the type of blog i have which is strictly personal opinion. -
"Those guys don't want traffic. They want readers."
Well put.
I always think it's silly when people say "I'll follow yours if you follow mine". Huh? What if you're simply not interested in that person's blog? Some people obviously just want traffic (most likely for ads) as opposed to finding real consistent readers.
I could have thousands and thousands of hits a day if i wanted to. All i'd have to do is put a link to my blog under my name on a couple very popular messageboards i vist. But i don't do that because those guys aren't really the audience i'm looking for.-
I always think it's silly when people say "I'll follow yours if you follow mine". Huh? What if you're simply not interested in that person's blog?
Yeah. It's amusing when you get these "I like your blog, let's exchange links" requests from people who didn't actually visit your blog (BC makes that quite obvious). Gotta love the spammy bot people. -
It's always nice to have readers! But yes, people who just stumble upon your blog and stay 2 seconds, what's the point?
No really, I'm happy if I get my 50€ back I paid for my domain from ads. Other than that, I prefer readers who are interested, who comment from time to time... -
I like the way you put it.
I should check your Blog.
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If you look at my latest post (a movie review), you'll see i constantly digress, have trouble staying on topic, use foul language, etc. It's obvious i didn't write a rough draft or even really think it through. LOL I just thought, "Man, 'I Am Legend' sucked so bad". So i just typed. And now i feel better.
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I have that problem too, I have gotten in the habit of writing down the points I want to make, then write my post in Word... then copy and paste it into the blog. Yeah... bunch of steps... but it lets me check it no less than three times before posting.
Even with that... I always seem to miss something.
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Friday13- Yeah, it's a pretty bizarre thing. It reminds me of high school for some reason.
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My blog is really a collection of my personal thoughts and doesn't have any real direction. I will say that I edit myself before I post, mainly because bloggers that I admire read my blog regularly.
Writing is a craft that I enjoy. I like the turning of a phrase or finding the perfect word to describe what I am feeling. -
Happiness and sanity are not a likely combination. Isn't that roughly the challenge bloggers face in "establishing" themselves in a literary field.
About your blogging endeavors I say: Be humble...and boast about it. Ignore the Nay-Sayers. The time to save your sanity and strike out for happiness is now.
Reality is only an illusion that occurs due to a lack of alcohol. So...pour yourself a shot of Kickapoo Joy Juice and have at it. -
Terrible writers are terrible writers.-
Agreed... and blogging can make them look like idiots. I do not mean that as an attack on anyone, but if you are a poor writer, then DO NOT run a blog, unless you do not mind people leaving you comments like "WTF???" or "WTH???"
I read one blog for a while until it was taken down... probably did not pay his hosting fees... that the writer had a lot of trouble with his Nows, Nos, Knows and his They, Their ad There usage.
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I voted no, but that's only because I ignore the bad writing out there to concentrate on the good.
Asking whether bloggers are terrible writers is like asking if the weather is lousy everywhere, because among the millions of blogs to choose from you find the whole range of writing, from barely literate to professional.
If blogging is your theme, it would be far better to ask what schools and teachers can do to improve writing skills through blogging.
Good luck in your speaking engagement.
PS: I have also posted this response on the bloc catalog discussion board.-
thank you so much for all your comments. please keep 'em coming.
your suggestion @ lettershome, and all the others, are much appreciated. as i have written, there are pros and cons that i will tackle on the occasion and yours belongs to the pros.
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As blogging is becoming short n sharp then I'd say no...
I've written 2 novels but that skill is different to blogging, per say... -
I do think many of us are in danger of becoming more interested in design, widgets, images, presentation, and other technical factors like PR for example, than actual writing content.
An example is this image obsession...It seems now images have to be in every single blog post. Even to the point of scouring flickr for anything half related. Why is this? Is it because we are so insecure of our writing content that presentation has to be paramount?
Even probloggers add copyright images, without linking to the image, then tell us how we should be presenting blogs!
Concentrate on developing writing skills..I have not seen that too often on blog posts suggestions, why am I not suprised..Good luck with your speech.
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thank you mark. good point.
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An example is this image obsession...It seems now images have to be in every single blog post.
from witewood
I agree with you about images. But I think the reason why we feel we need them is fear that the reader will become bored by text. The blog is heavily influenced by the culture of "YOOF".
If we compare blogs to novels, it is obvious that a story for young children should contain pictures. But a novel for grown ups does not have them. Even the Harry Potter books don't have pictures.
So why should grown up blogs be any different?
One answer is to say that bloggers, as a group, are extremely sensitive to the SEO threat. Being ignored by Google is about as bad as it gets for a blogger. So we all do as we are told, like good little bloggers.
Incidentally, though, I run adverts on my blogs, and I have noticed that the text ads perform consistently better than the banner image ads. I was surprised when I first noticed this, but maybe it supports your argument.
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I think there a tons of talented bloggers and most importantly talented marketing bloggers, else their blogs would never be seen, now that takes talent of many different kinds.
Bear in mind that most people reading on the web do not have English language degrees so writing on the Internet MUST be basic and simple in order to appeal to the largest population, foreign speakers and those with little academic education.
Writing for the web is in a league of it's own and is not meant to reflect other writing genres or expectations. So when you ask whether bloggers are good writers you must answer it in the context of writing for the Internet and not for writing hard back books/novels etc.
I'd like to invite bloggers be columnists over at www.icepop.com. I think bloggers have great opportunities out there as writers.
What's in it for bloggers you ask?
A piece of Internet fame, traffic to business blogs if they have one. For writers, they get read! Instant publication which is great and a fan following, there are so many rewards.-
"Bear in mind that most people reading on the web do not have English language degrees so writing on the Internet MUST be basic and simple in order to appeal to the largest population, foreign speakers and those with little academic education."
While correct about blogs in general, I do not follow this advice. I do not have a blog that is trying to sell a product, service or be entertaining to the general public. I don't actually care about the general public. My blog is not monetized and I am not particularly interested in having thousands of visitors a day.
I am more interested in having intelligent, well-written content that is personally revelatory. My few regular readers are mostly highly literate, talented writers themselves.
I also believe that even with simplistic, clear language there is a difference between good writing and bad writing.
Just look at these discussion forums. The good writers almost always provide clear, insightful and logical responses to any discussion they enter. The bad writers often have leaps of logic, garbled language and grammar.
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yes... i think i'm one of them..... -
but it also helps you to write even better
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Only half of the bloggers are half terrible writers.-
Have you read 50% of all the blogs on the Internet, wow
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sir, would you mind expounding it?
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A government school invited me to speak about blogging in front of an estimated three thousand people this August. One of the questions that I will discuss is: "Are bloggers terrible writers?"
Bloggers, please help me out; the answer can be a simple yes or no but elaboration is appreciated. I will pick up the ten best explanations and incorporate them in my topics for the planned speaking engagement.
What's in it for you? Traffic. I will show in a PowerPoint presentation the names, photos or banners, and web addresses (of course!) of ten bloggers with best answers. Three thousand students, teachers and people are a lot of traffic.
Please participate by clicking your answer in the poll, and writing your explanation in the comments section of my post.
Thank you so much in advance.
Now - you tell me.-
you omitted a few words, didn't you? what was your purpose madam?
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I omitted several words. My purpose was to improve your writing.
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well, thank you if your intention was good. but i don't think it helped in the discussion. =(
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I don't think all bloggers are terrible writers and not all terrible writers are bloggers.
It depends on the audience I think. If I wrote to get a gasp or a crowd it wouldn't matter what I wrote as long as it caused a fuss. Speaking only for myself, I write because I have a need to, I write for myself and if anyone happens to follow my writing then I appreciate it but I'd still write if no one but me read it. -
Here's something good about blogging, it's a bit like the plasticine kits we had as kids, after setting up your post-I write alot of poetry and short stories-you can then continue to edit and mould and shape what you've written. I would say this was bloggings greatest advantage over writing a book.
But the concept of blogging is spiff, it's just people communicating, that's what we humans love to do. -
Here's something good about blogging, it's a bit like the plasticine kits we had as kids, after setting up your post-I write alot of poetry and short stories-you can then continue to edit and mould and shape what you've written. I would say this was bloggings greatest advantage over writing a book.
But the concept of blogging is spiff, it's just people communicating, that's what we humans love to do.
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:o I thought that was so wonderful I'd say it again :o either that or my finger stuck -
I think it depends on the type of blog your writing also. Some blogs are serious and remind me of thesis papers and thats fine because it is the tone they want to set for their blog. But I would never call myself an amazing writer or a terrible one. I just like write whatever. -
Whatever comes my way when I'm writing my blog post is not wasted.
I know what I write but you don't know what I'm writing & that's the main problem why I keep writing. -
I don't think so. Most bloggers express what's in their thoughts or as a way to vent some frustrations instead of partying and getting intoxicated. Even if the blogs seems to be pessimistic or on the other hand optimistic, it still tells a story or idea. -
@stillthinking
Everyone has a different agenda when it comes to writing on the web, for you, you don't care if you're read or not. Most people who write on a public forum (as oppose to a paper diary) do so for the purpose of being read by others.
Not all bloggers promote themselves via sites like and this and even if they have the best literary style on the web, it may never be seen and that would be a terrible shame. Visibility can be improved by a few gentle tweaks.
I used to have a very personal blog - it was fab and I was always surprised it had readers as I never did anything other than write on that blog and yet somehow my rambliings were found.
It is always a pleasure to know someone is reading.
Meanwhile, there have been numerous scientific studies conducted into how people read on the Internet and advice is given as to how web pages should be laid out right down the best background colours to use. The recommended writing style is that of a 12yr old.
Of course this again depends on the reason you write and what you hope to gain from making your writing public.
The highest ranking blogs on the web are generally very well written (have huge followings) but are not at all verbose and you will never see the word 'verbose' in their blog posts! -
I wasn't disagreeing with what you said.
I just think that amongst bloggers there are good and bad writers for all levels of writing. There are so many terrible, terrible writers who write in a garbled, confused, illogical manner that most people would have a hard time deciphering. Then you have writers who write so clearly and beautifully that they communicate to everyone who is out there with a few simple phrases.
I was just trying to say that I write for the pleasure of writing. I wasn't trying to disprove your argument. In fact, I think it's entirely accurate.
I just believe that even amongst the people who write at this level to attract the broadest possible audience, there is good and there is bad.
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Writing for the web and writing for print are two very different things. So, are bloggers bad writers? Well given their medium, no – they defined the medium.
Are bloggers good novelist? Probably not.
But by that same token, are novelist good bloggers? I would also say no.-
Hmmm, this seems like an illogical conclusion to me. I am a blogger and an aspiring novelist. I would hope my novel is worth reading, just like I hope my blog is worth reading.
I also believe that many novelists have very well written and fascinating blogs. -
Yes...but writing for the web is VERY DIFFERENT.
No one wants to read a novel online...that long format isn't suitable for the web. And many times, "aspiring novelist" make that mistake.
As someone who works in the e-communications field (and no, I don't just mean my blog, I mean my actual job), I find that I often have to re-train print-writers.
Good or bad, we live in time when attention spans are short and information is abundant. To communicate the wealth of knowledge we have at our fingertips online is a skill I feel print writers have yet to master. -
good point. taking notes on this one.
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I think I am not a terrible writer, and I think I have improved my English level. I have seen terrible English writers... I am not a native English speaker but I live in an English speaking country... once I find things hard, I give it to another person for checking....
Apart from the language some bloggers are not original, they copy others, they say the same things, no personal views, no analysis... finally the have nothing to say
M.W
miketheblacksheep.wordpress.com/ -
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The internet is in its infancy, only minutes old, and like a gold rush, most folks are still scratching at the earth for nickles and dimes.
Once that passes, the internet - and blogging in particular - will broaden and get deeper. This is especially so when you consider the collapse of the print media which right now, has no where to go.
The standard format and constraints of print, which have always been hammered into an "acceptable style" by editors and the realities of publishing, will eventually give way to a breath of real fresh air when respected writers are no longer expected to conform to a historic format and style.
That is the promise of blogging - that the pure democracy of the medium will free the written word from a generation of superimposed writing styles and content, changing the definition of "good writers" along the way.
Good writing will finally be exactly what it should be - writing that appeals, respective of the size of the audience, or its ability to pay and turn a profit for outsized corporations who control style and content with the rejection button.
I'm pumped about the whole thing...and very happy for spell check. -
I think that blogging simply highlights your writing skill (or lack thereof) in a way that posting on boards like this does not. You can see a single post from someone and believe that their emotion or the casual atmosphere has left them unconcerned about their spelling, grammar, syntax, and/or actual understandability. When you read two or three consecutive blog posts that are badly spelled, contain egregious grammar, and/or either defy the rules of logic or are simply incomprehensible, you can see with one visit whether the blogger can write or not.
There can't be a yes or no answer to your question, because it's too broad. Some bloggers are terrible writers, yes, and some are not. Most are mediocre, which makes the bloggers at either end of the spectrum easily identified. Then again, you can write something that is technically flawless but boring or completely pointless. You can also write very badly but still engage your audience. Your personality and how it shows through your writing are as important as your wordcrafting skills, when blogging.-
i's do agrrement you with.
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I agree with what stillthinking said--there are very good writers in the blogosphere and very bad writers. It's easier to see bad writing because virtually anyone with a computer and internet connection can be a blogger.
I kind of liken it to going to a thrift store--when you search through all the racks and boxes, you can find soem real jewels--but you also come across garbage that someone forgot to throw out!
(of course, everyone HERE at BC falls into the former category, rather than the later). -
I don't know. I tend to only check out the blogs of people who seem intelligent and engaging on these forums, unless I have a reason to read it.
In general, they're not bad. Very few are exceptionally good, though. -
NOT ALL bloggers are terrible writers. I do not have a statistic though to spell it out accurately in figures. But many bloggers write for mere expression and not for quality exposition.
Now on the basis of why they write "terribly" depends upon the criteria a reader has set for himself.
Blogging is actually more of a personal journal than a venue for formal writing.
In-depth articles and correct grammar are a must in effective writing and always the concern of professional writers.
What is my point? That a blogger need not be a good writer to get traffic for many readers just want to get updated with simple things in life that they can relate to.
However, to be understood by your readers, a blogger must at least strive hard to check his grammar and the quality of his thoughts.
To be not a terrible blogger: Write from your heart, express the truth, check your grammar if you use English as your main language and keep a neat blog. A blog that has a quality content and not full of advertisement. -
Bloggers are all great thinkers. Only some are great writers.
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I'm an exceptional writer, but I blog about politics - and that must be the biggest turn off that there is in the blogosphere.
What you also have to take into consideration is that the mainstream media have now seen how profitable blogs like The Huff are - so are moving quite a bit of their content online.
You have it now - ad nauseum - where each 'celebrity'/'personality' has a blog and will advertise the fact at any given opportunity - if you want to make a difference to your fellow bloggers tell those 3000 people to ignore the mainstream blogs and check out us, the small peoples blogs for they are always far more interesting. -
Blogging is different than writing...to an extent. As what was mentioned above, blogging is more about entertainment than education (depending on the readership you're trying to accumulate). Blogs that are popular are blogs that are well-advertised. There are some popular blogs out there with writing quality that is average at best, and unknown blogs with exceptional writing. I'd give an example, but that may be considered link-dropping. I can send it by PM if interested.-
Add the link - blogging is for all to read.
If I had 20K for advertisement I would have a popular blog - yet I don't so I don't.
Addy Huff has gone somewhat into the area of MSM, she is now promoting her book on how to be a successful blogger at $24.99 a pop.
And I say why not, she hit the blogosphere at the right time.
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Friggin ópeless..
And someone created an email address the other day with my name in it just to tell me how bad I was. I was clear that they hadn't read my 500 articles and posts on how to play guitar and other things to help people be better musicians.
i laughed-
and they don't kiss like pandas
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blogers r grate riters! thats stoopid sayin there not!!!-
they is not
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u r rong!!!
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me is not
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Your write, drjay!
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sometimes I am a terrible writer ...... so busy just getting the blog to air that i don't concentrate on writing !!!!
oh well
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Are blogger terrible writers?
If you just look at writers, there are all kinds. The bestseller, the award winner. Then there are the lesser known and also the ones lacking in style. But whatever the style of writing, if the content appeals to the target audience the book is a hit!
I think the same rule applies to bloggers as well. There are all kinds of blogs and people from different walks of life indulge in blogging for different reasons. Their content, style, writing skills etc vary greatly.
So it would not be right to simply brand all bloggers as good, bad or mediocre writers.
Just my take on it!
Cheers
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The terrible ones seem to disappear quickly enough! -
Blogger has something who other writers couldn't describe it..Blogger has something that explains about recent condition beautifully in special point of view for different reasons and different purpose..Blogger do have style in writing something..That's why bloggers in the world stay alive..That's why blogger always contribute a very personal writing than those award winners.. -
The question posed here is silly. You can't group all bloggers into one particular rating of good or bad. Some bloggers are talented writers and some aren't. It's like asking "Do policemen break laws?"
Some do, some don't.
Please don't ask a question like that in front of a group of educated people. You can stick with your basic premise, but pose it another way.
"From 1 to 10, rate the average level of writing talent you encounter on the blogs you visit."
Posing the question THIS way leaves room for both good and bad writers by asking people to average the TWO.
And my rating would be 3. -
Hey 'coolbuster', found this a really interesting question. hope I can help.
I'd say it also depends what you're defining here at "writing", the style? The content? The grammar? I’m assuming it's the style and content on debate here.
All bloggers? Obviously no, of course not.
I agree with 'dannyvice' above, it's wrong to group all bloggers into a potential pigeonhole and label them one or the other. Blogs are a platform to (self-)publish on so there's inevitably an incentive to play around with how it looks, it makes sense, but it can get obsessive and the writing can suffer. Drawing parallels with self-publishing social networking sites which promote this too...notably facebook. I'll resist getting started on that or I'll end up in rants about cringe-worthy statuses again.
Every blogger is unique and very different and looking around I think this will show. Couldn’t say how good/bad a writer the average blogger would be, but there is a LOT of crap out there. Sometimes in my opinion, especially with personal blogs, the blogger/author can get carried away posting about themselves and not thinking about what an average web reader would be interested in.
I try and differ from that, because I find that lazy on any writer’s behalf. I always put effort to write as interestingly as I can. Maybe this is due to being an aspirant writer of some description not yet fully realised, and a keen reader, and the obsession with detail found in all Lit/creative writing grads. Right now I'm trying to use my blog to hone my writing skills further, but I make sure I incorporate images and links and create a blog post so that it actually reads smoothly and reads well. Otherwise I feel I’d be insulting the reader’s/vistor’s intelligence and wasting both their and my time.
In short I think the additional publisher role of it means the writing can suffer in some cases.
Hope that helps!
S -
[accidental double post, please ignore]
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Some bloggers are good writers. -
obviously it depends on your aesthetic persuasion, but for the most part, i would say that many bloggers are indeed terrible writers. i don't limit my definition of good writing merely to grammar and style. i think good writing should display clarity and depth which sadly many bloggers simply fail to demonstrate; impeccable grammar and a nuanced diction do help, but they are by no means the soul of writing.
while i'm mostly of the opinion that reading horribly written blogs is just as harmful as writing them, i can at least slightly praise the efforts of those who do write and read them anyway. literacy rates all over the US are dropping, but perhaps reading and writing blogs whether good or bad can, to some extent, offset this unfortunate trend. i admit this isn't the best solution to a very ugly and shameful problem, but since no one has yet to come up with a better one, i propose the above. -
I don't pretend to be a good writer, and I don't think most bloggers are writing for their grammar or quality. They are trying to express a specific opinion, interest, or viewpoint in their own words. They are good in so far as they get their point across. This does not have to be writing: it can be pictures, video, or audio as well. Blogs are a media, not just written words.
I think that many blogs have atrocious writing. Writing of the worst sort if measured by things like standard style manuals (APA, Chicago, MLA, Turabian, and others) but they are examples of successful self expression. In fact, because the grammar is written to explicate and doesn't follow the rather dry, narrow rules of big publishing conglomerates it often has far better clarity and individuality than mainstream nonfiction in newspapers or books. -
Many bloggers are good writers. Some are not, especially if they are just doing it to make a quick buck (which probably won't happen for them). Some bloggers don't write at all, they just post photos or artwork. -
Out of the squillions of blogs in the world, I only read about 20 blogs regularly and another 20 irregularly. So clearly I am very selective. However these 40 blogs are superbly written. -
I have certainly seen a great deal of abysmally bad writing on various blogs. There are so many blogs out there that I would not even Think of presuming to say whether a majority let alone Most of these blogs have terrible writing. But echoing what another commenter noted, I am Extremely picky about what I read and ALL of the blogs I regularly read have writing that ranges from fully serviceable to breath-takingly eloquent. I mean, honestly, why would Anyone care to read a poorly written blog? -
I couldn't find the poll, but I'll add my two cents anyway
Just as is the case for authors of all kinds of writing material, you will find good writers and bad. This is often subjective to the reader of the particular blog being reviewed, and what they're looking for.
Personally, I like to read blogs that feel personable, invite you in and keep you interested. I hate to be distracted with multiple typos or with "facts" that don't feel well researched.
You can't say that bloggers are bad writers, just as you can't say they are good writers. They vary. There are millions of blogs out there, and it's safe to assume that there are some rotten ones out there, just as there are some real gems.
If I can find useful, relevant and interesting information on a blog, to either entertain or help me in my life--and it's written in a way that I can understand it, stay interested in it and perhaps use it to help me in my own life, I'd say that's a sign of a good blog writer. -
I think in a medium where just about anyone can participate, you will find all sorts of writers - the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Good luck with your speech! I couldn't speak in front of 3000 people. -
whoa! the responses are awesome. it feels great to read your thoughts on the question at hand. i just feel bad that i wasn't able to reply to you in the past few days due to pressing schedules. but really, please keep your views coming. i appreciate it.
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We bloggers are a very different breed of cats. I started blogging in 2005. I had a "test drive" blog on 360. I can't spell, and I don't use the proper grammar. I was very fearful of writing.
Once I got my feet under me I discovered it didn't matter. There were plenty of bloggers in the same boat I was in, and we grew together.
We out grew 360 and moved on. As our membership of followers grew, so did our faith that we could do this. A lot of us had the famous bloggers reading us. I remember the first time a long time blogger stopped by my blog and left a comment. It fueled my fire and made me want to do better. To this day I follow her, and just a couple weeks ago I got a message from her..
In turn, I now go looking for the new bloggers. I won't pass one up without leaving a comment. It's not that I'm well known or famous.. it's just that I get it.. I was there in their shoes..and it's scary.
Very few novel writers know and love the people that read them.. bloggers however, form strong bonds with their readers. I know that a lot of the BIG TIME bloggers go off to conferences,, and win awards... but... I know a lot of SMALL TIME bloggers that have formed friendships that last a lifetime.. and that doesn't happen,,if you are bad writer..
If you are a bad writer no one is coming back for seconds.. it doesn't matter if you can spell or not... it matters whether or not you can tell your story.. and keep us coming back..
So no.. bloggers are not bad writers.. most authors have editors and you will never know if they can spell, or use proper grammar.. they have people to do that.. A BLOGGER on the other hand.... lays it all out there..this is who I am.. and what I have to say...
If you keep going back.. then they... are a great writer...-
thank you for this. a friend of mine who has just started blogging read your response and got inspired.
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I remember the very scathing comment of the first magazine editor I ever pitched a story to, which was "Everyone thinks they're a writer!" I guess that illustrates how subjective the issue of whether a writer is good or bad really is.
A lot of professional writers frequently have to adapt their writing style to suit a particular publication or client. Although I am relatively new to blogging, I am finding it very refreshing. It is nice to be able to write in my own style, without edits, and about any topic that I choose.
So for me blogging is about personal expression and not having to cater to a particular audience. -
You're getting some great material for your speech.
You must use this comment from drjay1966 for the powerpoint presentation:
bloogers r grate riters thats stoppid sayin there not
I love the humor in that, but I do wince at the mistakes in most of the stuff I read online that are not made on purpose.
The blogger onceafortnight, who is obviously a professional writer, summed it up for me: it's so great to finally be able to write in my own style about anything I want. But I actually do take the time to check the spelling, grammar, and punctuation. I also go back and edit each piece to polish it before I post it, and I have a feeling that she does too.
Go to my site and see if you think all this effort is worth it!
www.i-cant-believe-im-not-bitter.com-
just visited your blog. you really gained from what you've learnt from others. yours is such a professional blog; great design superb writing.
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No. I am actually a very good writer with an extensive vocabulary and flare for metaphors, BUT only about 7 out of 176 posts on my blog actually reflect that. In my case, I blog simply because it is easier than sending out mass emails to let everyone know whats up... therefore it is more informal and less thought out.
It simply depends on the blogger, some are in it for cash, some are in it to promote their writing, some help and some... like me.. are just lazy -
Honestly, I do not know if I am really a blogger now but I am trying to be one. I'm only on my 98th day of blogging or should I call it writing blogs. Am I a terrible writer of blogs? I also do not know. Only my readers can judge me on that.
I have to be honest and say that I often find terrible blog lay-outs. A very long blog page (showing very short scroll bar similar to this page) turns me off. I feel like losing breath if I go read a page like this. A blog with so many ads also annoys me although I know the blogger's purpose in doing so.
Terrible blog writers? Yes, there are, but that's on my perspective only. Others may find them not terrible. As they say, "beauty lies in the viewer's eyes".-
thank you both for your feedback.
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I know I am.
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LOL! There you go again.
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Yes, I have met most of them. Even I succumb to terrible writing once in a while. -
Depends on your standards. I'd say in most cases bloggers were average or above average writers. -
Not exactly yes or no. It depends on the bloggers or the readers on how they appreciate the articles made by the writers.. Blogging is your freedom to express yourself.
My point of view actually is not as terrible but I am more into appreciating other ideas and concepts in blogging. Blogging is an art! -
NO..for the most part, bloggers have a better command of the English language that most of middle America. They tend to read more often and practice writing. I myself am an English teacher and have an EdM in English. I find most of the dedicated bloggers are teachers, writers, and college students. -
Not all bloggers are terrible writers. There are some bloggers who do not care about styles and forms. -
Personally, I started blogging specifically as a way to take my childhood dream of becoming a writer and motivational speaker to the next level. In the past I thought writing a book had to be the goal. However, it was an overwhelming task which often kept me from writing at all.
Ultimately, blogging has been the perfect outlet for me.
My blog is my unique voice, even when I am not sharing a brand new concept. There's freedom and ease in blog writing which I had trouble capturing in the past.
The icing on the cake has been discovering other great blogs and great writers. As I love reading almost as much as I love writing, this has been a real win-win.
All the best to you on your presentation! -
The overall theme in the comments is that bloggers have a different audience and they write to/for them. You cannot compare writing a book, a newspaper article or a blog together because it is a matter of comparing oranges and apples.
There may be bloggers who write well and there may be emotive and thrilling prose in blog posts but since this is not necessarily an indication of key blog performance indicators - traffic, hits, instant popularity - then a well-read blog may not have all these.
Having said that, there have been blogs that were converted into books - Belle Du Jour, anyone? - so some have made the leap from the blogosphere to the printed page. That just goes to show that a well-written blog can get traffic, if the blogger persists, and even achieve "old-world" fame.
Nice discussion topic
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