Discussions
Why do you blog?
Posted by DocKC • 5/12/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blog, blogging
Why do you blog? What do you expect to gain from blogging? Just curious as to what motivates people. 
User Comments
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Initially started out as a replacement of my monthly newsletter to family and friends, self-therapy, fun and then evolved into whatever it is today, which to me, has not yet been truly defined - Nards-
I think you have given a pretty good description of why you blog!
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I don't I am just here for the view -
And what do you see?
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Happy people and ginger.
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Ginger and copper are great colors! They really work well together!
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Aye
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It started when I first began writing short stories but as there was no 'theme' I couldn't send them to a publisher - so I published them on the web. Suddenly I had a world wide audience for my writing (Which is separate from my blogging). It grew out of there really - in fact it's still growing, it now encompasses forums etc. But I do love my blogs
Ben-
That sounds really exciting!
Is there a place on-line that you would like to share with others to read these short stories?
What about to be a part of your forums? What is/are the topic(s)?
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to keep my sanity-
So, it's a hobby then in essence?
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sanity as a hobby... I have to try that
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The blogging, Benny, not the sanity.
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see - what would I do without you - I am glad you were able to clear that up for me...
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LMAO!
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yeah, it keeps me sane, i can go days at a time with the only conversation i have is from a two year old.
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Why do I blog? Proof Positivity started off as a web site. Building a web site is more complex than a blog. I shut down PP and googled "What is a blog?" With a good description of what it is I started My Thoughts which was an experiment. I gave up PP but was encouraged to start it back up as a blog. Proof Positivity is and has been my dream for a very long time. I expect nothing from blogging other than the opportunity to help someone who faces similar problems to my own and to get more people involved in community.-
That's a great story and it is so nice that you are blogging to share your experiences to help others who may be dealing with similar things as you!
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I blog because I love writing, and it's a great medium to really communicate with readers. While I write professionally as part of a marketing firm, that work is very much "behind the scenes." So it's extremely rewarding to create something that's truly mine.-
That sounds great! I understand what you mean. When you're working for someone, your "creations" are not really yours. But your blog you can 100% own!
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I really love to write - and this has given me a great outlet to write and teach a little as I go along...
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That's very true, Benny. I have certainly learned a lot from you! You're great! :)
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awwwwe shucks... I would blush - but I swore it off...
Besides - it would clash with your hair...
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I blog as a personal therapy (to deal with my own issues and stuff) and also to show other people out there with similar issues that they're not alone, and to try to raise awareness of mental health issues and hopefully do what little I can to reduce the stigma around such things.
~Shiv-
Shiv,
That's an incredible answer. Especially when you're giving it to a shrink! Keep on doing what you're doing because it's just amazing! I'm sure you have helped more people than you know!
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Doc My short stories can be found at - straightscotch.com/passages/
The forums are very much 'niche' forums dealing with Homeschooling and another with UFO's and the Paranormal lol (Well hey we all have our hobbies ) In fact my fav forum can be found here www.planet-flipside.com/vboard/index.php
Ben -
Awesome! Thanks Ben!
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information sharing (wp blogging tips blog)onecoolsite.wordpress.com
self expression (personal blog) thistimethisspace.com-
Two great reasons to blog.
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Your blogging tips have been very helpful, even for those of us not on Wordpress.
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The more I think about it the less sure I am about why I blog. I know why I have the blogging tips blog and I'm comfortable with continuing it. However, I frequently have the urge to delete the contents of my personal blog, start with a new masked domain and blog in an entirely different way.
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Why not do it?
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@thriftshopromantic
Thanks that's good to hear.
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@crkian
I don't know -- gutless, I guess or maybe in a rut or lacking self confidence or ... ?
Hmmm ... now I'm seriously considering wiping out the existing personal blog and starting over.-
You should follow every idea you have otherwise you may never know. I try to.
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nooooooooooooooooooo
I like that blog (love, but I do not want everyone to know about us) -
Benny, dont you think she should keep the one she has and start a new blog to test out the ideas she has
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I hope that you begin to feel inspired again and I wonder why you lost some of your passion. I'm sure it's just temporary.
Your personal blog (well both) is fantastic as are you! Perhaps, keep the blog you have and start another one on how you're feeling now. You know how writing down your feelings can help you to understand what those feelings are. -
I do have another domain name that's just sitting about doing zilch. I can get hosting for it. Then I could begin another blog from scratch with Chris's help and hand-holding and, lots of hand-holding will be required because I didn't set up my first domain myself and I really haven't a clue as to how that's done. Hmmmm ...
@Chris
I can see your post below. This is beginning to sound interesting but it's not exactly what you had in mind when you made your offer and I shouted me, me, pick me! I don't even have any specific ideas about what I would put in such a blog just some vague notions. -
If you want to use it for my thing you can
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Ah, that depends which blog you're asking about! I blog politics for the sheer fun of it, and I blog my business to widen its audience. I blog my favourite band because one day I am going to write a book and want all the material in one place... three blogs, three reasons
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All three reasons are great too!
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What is your favorite band? And are you going to write a book on them?
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I am a serial website tinkerer. I made my site www.wafflelogue.com mainly so I can tinker with the code and graphics and (very slowly) learn about web building. I have no life so I waffle on about nothing really! One of these days I'll actually form an opinion on something -
Learning web building is a great idea. And your other blog seems very informative, so you definitely have A LOT to say!
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i want to share with the people my passion , the cuban music , this ritm makes me happy when i'm listening ....its great!!1
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I love to hear about people having passions and living them each day!
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That's SO great!!!
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Doc - Why do you blog?
Ben -
I love sports, and I hate the same mundane blah blah blah that comes out of sports commentators and writers. Sometimes I want to say what I want.
My wife got tired of listening to me rant (go figure), so I started doing it on paper.-
There HAS to be someone out there who wants to listen to you rant. Keep blogging! LOL! Just playing with you. You write amazingly and it's great!
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I have a Yankees blog because I'm a huge Yankees fan.
yankeefansforever.blogspot.com
I blog about politics and other stuff because I need to rant, and the wife is getting tired of it
crotchety-old-man-yells-at-cars.blogspot.com
I blog about diabetes because it's destroying my body
diabetesdestroys.blogspot.com
And I blog about toast because I like toast. A lot.
thejoyoftoast.blogspot.com
I started over 4 years ago as an outlet because I was in a terrible job that I hated.-
Well, here we see how many positive things can come out of blogging and how there are so many reasons why people do it. Thank you for sharing this! I wish you the best!
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hi,
Good question to ask, I started blogging because I heard it was theraputic during the grief process. I had just recently lost my mother. I have found it to be helpful and gives me something else to focus on. I now love doing it everyday. I decided to add fun things and my goal is to share something that someone needed to hear that day or just make them laugh!!
Janet-
Janet, I'm so sorry for your loss and so happy to hear that you have found a positive way to help you get through your grieving process. Writing about your feelings is a most positive coping skill to get through rough times! I commend you and your strength!
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To irritate people, what else?
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As a professional, I seldom blog about personal issues, but yet I do put a lot of myself and my personality into my articles. I blog for reasons very simialar to Shiv379. I want to help others, raise awareness of different issues that most go through at one time or another and help people to not feel alone. I love to give hope and inspiration. I love to answer questions and just help people to find the strength to eventually help themselves. It comes easy to me and I enjoy it.
My fingers actually type faster than my brain thinks. If that makes sense. It's a plus. LOL!-
OzScot, somehow my answser to you asking me why I like to blog fell here instead of under your question. Well, here it is none-the-less.
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It helps me to learn how to write.-
Yes, as blogging will do! Lots of practice.
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I blog more now to inform people of my oppions on cars, and other products as well as keep my mind working check me out... always-half-empty.blogspot.com-
You're blogging about something you are really passionate about and love. That's great!
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My answer is the same as Shiv's, whose blog I love.-
It's so great to be able to write about what you're feeling! Keep up the good work!
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honestly, i do blogging because i want to express the pains and heartaches that ive kept for a few months, its my way of expressing a broken heart.hehehe-
Catycat, I give you the same response that I gave Bradley and want to add that it is so amazing to have a place to go where you can express yourself and feel comfortable doing it. Some people never have anyone to talk to. Here you're never alone! GREAT job!
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"....killing time?"-
It's not really killing time if you think about it. You truly can make great use of your time by commenting and having discussions with others. I think it's great!
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Just for fun, had a time to kill and better write a post when i have trouble with sleeping.
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Great reasons. Again, a great way to spend time learning and sharing when you can't sleep.
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GenoPianist, I love your avatar
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mmmm, I just want to. See, I've got so many thoughts about so many stuffs. I found that blogging's fun, even the process of writing itself. That's why my blog doesn't really stick to a theme. It ranges from American Idol to Indonesian politics and more.
Take a look!-
Blogs don't have to be on one subject and that is what can make them more interesting sometimes. People probably can't wait to get to your blog to see what you're going to talk about next.
So, who do you think is going to win American Idol?
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As a writer, I blog because it provides an additional channel through which to feed my obsessive desire to take words out of my brain and put them on paper (virtual paper, in this case).
I also blog to help widen my audience ... I'm an indie, which means despite winning awards and such, my book is still relatively unknown. Blogging helps people (like whoever reads this) discover my writing. Hopefully they like it and blog about it as well ... that's the theory anyway.
www.CluckTheBook.com-
Congrats on the book. I wish you lots of success with it!
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I do it as an alternative way to earn money. The subjects I chose are my passion. The purpose is money.
blog.butterflymedia.ro/-
Hmmm...that brings up a whole other discussion because I'm sure many people would want to know how you make money off your blogs. I'm one of those people! LOL!
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I need a creative outlet to get all the crazy stuff out. Can't leave it rattling around in my head. Bad things, man... bad things...-
Let us have it. We can handle just about anything here! You're surrounded by friends!
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Keeps me off the streets and out of mischief.-
You don't ANY mischief, Jack. You're a sweetheart! Who are you trying to fool?
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I'm really new to blogging and I'm addicted! It started out as a way to possibly make a few extra bucks and promote my business at the same time. After twenty years of being self employed I was mentally and physically drained, I had severe job burn out. But now that has kind of changed. Now I think I am more focused on why I chose to get into the profession that I did.-
What an inspirational story. Are you saying that blogging has gotten you a bit out of your burnout? Or did I misread that?
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My blog is an outlet for my humor. I have a creative demon inside and it's nice to have a place to keep him fed and happy.
www.humorsmith.com-
LOL! Yes, I can see your humor in just 2 lines you wrote here! Keep it up!
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Yes, it has somewhat! I have never written anything before in my life. It's a great change of pace and really different than what I have done in the past. Also, I now write some articles for another automotive website.
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Well, that's great then! Continue on your journey!
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Thanks Doc. Nice words on relationships. I can see I must spend some quality time on your blog. If you cruise the archives on mine, you will see my skewed view of the male/female thing. Let me particularly call your attention to "Ungerism" and "Hearts Dancing Off-Key". Comedy and my love life are not pretty. Neither is shameless self-promotion. www.humorsmith.com
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I will check them out as soon as I can!
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No matter how bad of a writer you are...
No matter how lonely of a person you are...
No matter how ...
It does not matter!
That's what blogging is all about.-
I couldn't think of a better way to put that! Blogging is unconditional to us. I love how you put that!
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I blog because I'm bored
I blog because I can -
Oh, there are so many reasons: it's good writing practice, it's a fun activity, it's an interesting way to share things with friends and create new friends, to provide a little amusement to someone's day somewhere in the world,....
As for what I expect to gain, I've learned in life to have no expectations with most things. New friends and associates are a nice benefit, as are comments and feedback from people who run across my work. I write for the sake of writing... since I know already how horrible the pay is!
Oh and it's free therapy! A little venting can be amusing, both for others and myself...-
Free therapy is for sure! LOL! I know that well! I also know how bad the pay is. LOL!
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everything!
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Hi, I blog so that I can promote my business, and to provide a general awareness to people about emergency preparedness.
Check it out here:
disasterpreparednessblog.com/-
I just wrote an article on hurricane preparedness. It's been published too!
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I blog because I just can't help myself.
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I know the feeling. I think most of us here know it well!
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because my life is so boring.it fills a void i dont drink dont smoke i just surf.
blogorious.blogspot.com/-
When you said surf, I envisioned you an a surf board in the ocean. Sometimes it takes my mind a moment to catch the real worth of the word.
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I went surfing once and have the scars on my knees to prove it. But I'll tell you what...every time those waves knocked me down...I was right back up for more! I loved the experience of learning to surf!!!
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LMAO...I did too...and so I responded about surfing in the water! I'm laughing so hard right now!
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Sometimes, to help others...other times, to amuse myself.
I love words and pictures; symbols, icons, pop culture, philosophy, new age wisdom and the teachings of the masters.
If a smile can be shared, I want to blog about it. If wisdom AND KNOWLEDGE equals power, I want to further the cause.
My reasons are at once selfish and selfless; a dichotomy.
I am a Renaissance woman and I am ever evolving, as is my blog. I have no focus group or demographic...that will be revealed in time.
(I know...TMI...Rhetoric & Composition~ Clear, Concise and to the Point, of which I strayed.)
Still, my answer is the essence of ME, from my heart and soul and not what others expect of me......This is true and it is MY truth.....
Yes, you caught me in a moment........
In amusing and educating myself, I hope to do so with others....... and contribute to the realization that we are all part of the whole....-
Great answer and great expression! It's okay to get a bit philosophical in here once in a while. LOL! I love it!
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I blog mainly because i love to write. Other than that i earn money from it so it's a bonus.-
Please share you money making secrets!
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To kill time while I perfect my plan for world domination.-
Would you let me know when your plan is perfected? Maybe you want a partner in crime?
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flourish and let loose? I thought you did that after some margaritas and on the disco floor???
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Well... some help would be nice, but in the end I will want the power all to myself.
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How did I KNOW you were going to say that! LOL!
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Wow - great question! Why do I write or perform? To share what's inside. To let my artistic demons wander around - I think they'd hurt me if I kept them locked up.
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Blogging and performing are also two ways that I allow my artistic side to flourish and let loose. I love it!
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flourish and let loose? I thought you did that after some margaritas and on the disco floor???
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I truly wish I could say that I did do that right now, but most of my time is spent working to make my site a success in helping as many people as possible! A little sacrifice now will take me a long way later!
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I used to work for a great PRIVATE Canadian financial firm and 13 years ago we were bought out by a big Canadian bank. I hated the change so I left and I have been trading stocks and managing a VC fund from home for the last 10 years and I keep a blog so my old colleagues with still the shirt and tie, commutes suburban home and lifestyle get a different perspective and irreverence that is inappropriate in a corporate setting. Might not be the same cash flow but kids still in best private schools, they are top performers and spend good holidays in Europe... Not much saved up but when kids gone should be fine!-
Good for you. You did what you had to do for your own happiness and self worth and dignity and that is something to be commended for doing. Not many people have the strength to leave something (a person or job) that they know is not right for them. And now you help others by blogging. Bravo to you!
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I wanted to comment but really did not have a great reason to do so...
But this has been an incredible blog week...
thegoodknife.tumblr.com/post/34352633
apatheticlemming.blogspot.com/2008/05/abulia-writers-block-and-doing.html
kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/
So here are three reasons why I blog... And though there are many more like this... these three have made this a week to remember and the recognition and appreciation of knowing you are all reading what I write - well - is overwhelming
Ben-
It is a good feeling that people actually read what we write, I agree! And you have been doing a spectacular job, Benny!
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Just to share my thoughts and ideas with world.-
A great reason to blog!
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I like sharing my thoughts and ideas with friends, family and anyone else who feels like reading.
www.needlecloud.com-
The same thing as abhishekkumar and many more. You don't need a better reason than that!
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My life feels like it is at a standstill in other areas... writing is one avenue that lets me move forward. I have begun to think the roadblocks have been orchestrated in order for this need to express myself to well up to the point of bursting out of me.
I have been actively blogging for about a year, and with each post my sense of purpose grows. I feel my confidence growing as a writer, and can tell I am walking more proudly as an air of "I've found myself" permeates ever-widening layers of my life.
As for the roadblocks, they will be removed at the proper time. Meanwhile, I'm moving in a new direction. Yee haw!-
Great attitude and I'm thrilled to hear how much blogging has changed your life for the better!!!!!!!!
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I blog because it is therapeutic, healing and a release! I reach out to others who may need inspiration! -
I blog to basically express my feelings on certain subjects and like many other bloggers, as a mean of venting. It just is quite rewarding to see people reading what I right and hearing their comments.-
lordiwanttobewhole and PoliticsTodayUSA, I see that many people have similar reasons to blog and they are all great ones! You two have much in common in your purposes.
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I enjoy blogging because it is a form of self therapy. I also find that blogging can be fun especially when you live in a big city like New York. There is always something happening and always something strange going on especially on the train. I also blog because I love to write a lot usually about anything like music, politics, relationships, people. Life is an adventure and you can only do it once writing sometimes transports you to events and times in your life so blogging is my outlet. What I have to gain? Absolutely nothing! I am just sharing with the reader my experiences as they happen with out the corny stuff. If it gets the reader to crack a smile or chuckle or it gets people to talk then that is a good thing.-
Living in NY, I'm sure you have a LOT to blog about. I think that you do gain a lot, contrary to what you said. The sense of accomplishment for a good piece of writing, the idea that you are giving great information out to others and entertaining them as well! You said so yourself when you said you make people "chuckle"! It's great!
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Blogging is a way for me to leave a record for my children of the things running through their father's mind.
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LOL...I think that's a joke and it made me laugh. If it wasn't a joke, I apologize!
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My whole hearted apologies. You were very serious when I took a look at your blog and because a lot of the joking that tends to go around in here, I misunderstood what you were blogging about!
What you are doing is AMAZING and I also left a comment on Stumble for you! I'm sorry for the misunderstanding and I certainly MORE than respect what you are writing about and the fact that you are doing it for your children!
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I started for money, then I changed to create something better and professional. Money is still there but I blog for fame, to help young bloggers and to have my say OUT THERE!
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For the human experience and connection. -
I am a stay at home mom, so this helps me to connect with the outside world about my passion.
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