Give it a High Five! (Blogging 101, Commenting Bootcamp)

Blogging 101, Commenting Bootcamp, Day Five: Commenting on Comments

Blog posts are half of the two-way conversation between the writer and readers; comments are the other half. The liveliest comment sections are full of conversations and sub-conversations and sub-sub-conversations.

Today, find an interesting conversation and reply to other comments, rather than to the post.

Comment sections can be rich social experiences where new friends are forged, and fans found. Get involved! A conversational comment thread is more fun for everyone.

If you’re commenting on a blog where you’ve never spoken up before, leave a comment specifically for the blogger as well; if it’s a blog where you’re a regular, responding directly to other commenters is a-okay.

william_shatner320

“My site has the whole thing – blogs, information, video interviews” William Shatner

Give it a High Five!

‘Twas an “interesting” five days
Sometimes that is all it takes
Getting out and about
Sometimes even giving a shout
Some say ’twas not within limits
But trying out new gimmics
Was the idea for this round
Not to put on a frown
Hope no one got to hurt
Or did their sleeves get burnt
For myself I can say
Thanks for this memory
See Y’all on the blogs
All my best and no sobs

 

Happy Holidays to one and all!
~Gun~

gun-4

Respectful Disagreement? (Blogging 101, Commenting Bootcamp)

Blogging 101, Commenting Bootcamp, Day Four: Try Respectful Disagreement

One of the best things about reading blogs is being exposed to ideas, experiences, and viewpoints you might not otherwise encounter — at some point, you’re bound to read something you disagree with.

Today, leave a comment that disagrees with a post’s premise or challenges a post’s ideas… but respectfully!

If we never engage with difficult ideas, we shrink the internet down into our own little echo chambers. Disagreement helps us hone our viewpoints, and can change a mind or show people their common ground.

Of course, disagreeing needn’t (and shouldn’t!) be mean-spirited. Visit The Commons for some guidelines on how to disagree in a kind, productive way. And if you’re not sure whether your comment is helpful or respectful, your co-bloggers in The Commons will happily provide a second opinion!

blogging-quotes-8.jpg

“Blogs are whatever we make them. Defining ‘Blog’ is a fool’s errand.” Michael Conniff

Respectful Disagreement?

Left a few comments
I tried to be honest
Even though I did promise
No one to torment

“I cannot agree with thee
I cannot see the same you see
Don’t be too angry with me
I was on a commenting spree
They said the truth will set free
I realize now it upset a wee
So let’s just agree to disagree
And maybe go out for a cup of tea?”

bab26c5053076f959d8892b7babd1978

And now, for something completely different (Blogging Bootcamp)

Blogging 101, Commenting Bootcamp, Day Three: Ask Some Questions

It’s rare to read someone’s post and not have any questions at all. So ask!

Today, leave a comment in which you ask the blogger a relevant question or two.

People are naturally curious. From the first time we can enunciate the word “Why?” we question everything around us. Questions help us clarify, spark more ideas, and signal that we’re approaching whatever we’re reading with care.

Even the shortest post can provoke a question, from the substantive (“Why didn’t she tell him she still loved him!?”) to the simple (“What does that word mean?”)

Ask someone a question or two! Anything at all — just make sure it’s honest, and relevant.

blogging4

“I blog, there for I am”

And now, for something completely different

I decided to turn the tables and answer a question rather than ask one.

Why?

Because, today I got this question when I posted my “800 followers marker”:

“Hi. I’m a new blogger. Just began two months ago.
The “800” tag is a big inspiration to continue writing.
Can you give me a few tips on how to go about it? Any help would be beneficial. Thanks!

The quote I chose for this blog also fits my current mindset.

I don’t remember a time I did not write or think about writing. The same goes for photography. Both near and dear to me since I was a toddler, almost, and now at fifty, I have once more concentrated on both things, with full force I might add!

I began my blog in February this year with one idea: Write about daily happenings with a humorous twist. The idea was to have a quote related to the storyline and a lessons learnt included. I did not blog often at first, but then I realized I could incorporate photography, poetry and other types of tales and homages, it all took off from there. And, I realized people were actually reading what I wrote. I guess the main inspiration came from taking part in my first Blogging U workshop and getting ideas and followers while socializing and sharing thoughts in the Commons.

But being social, reading and commenting on someone else’s blogs is only a part of the process. You have to actively give your audience more and often to make sure they return. I like to dabble in many things; poetry, fiction, quotes, songs even and yes of course, photography. I also have plans for a few videos, but that will be later. So many ideas, so little time!

I also have a theme for almost each week day and I take part in some of the challenges on some of the blogs regularly.

Unfortunately like most of us, I have the excuse of my “paying job” taking most of my energy during the week days, sometimes even weekends. That being said, I made a promise a while back to at least post one poem a day. And now, mid December, and almost a thousand posts later, I can say I have kept that promise! Not even the time spent in the hospital for my surgery stopped my posting: I had scheduled posts for all three days I was laying drugged up in the hospital bed 😉

To sum things up: Post, post, post and then some. Write from your heart and snap yourself or borrow pictures to add to the look and feel where possible.
Keep calm and keep blogging, always!
blog

Blogging 101, Commenting Bootcamp, Day Two, Share a Personal Story

Blogging 101, Commenting Bootcamp, Day Two, Share a Personal Story

Blogging and commenting are about connecting. We connect with one another through stories.

Today, leave a comment in which you share a personal story about yourself.

When you tell a personal story, you show the original blogger a few things. First, that their post resonated with someone — something every blogger strives for — and second, that you’re ready to open up and engage in real conversation.

Share a personal story in a comment — something relevant to the original post.

Again, we encourage you to leave this comment on a blog where you’ve never engaged before. This just might be the start of a beautiful friendship!

images-1

“I plead the fifth”

Blogging 101, Commenting Bootcamp, Day Two, Share a Personal Story

For today’s assignment, I must “plead the fifth”.

Call it personality, call it national heritage (Finnish inherited personality), promoting myself shamelessly while enjoying someone else’s product is something which is not in my nature to do. If there is a funny anecdote to be shared, then that is fine, when the situation demands it. I have even written a comment in a poem to one of my favourite blogs, but sharing something truly personal on someone else’s blog, is really not me. Of course there are always exceptions to any rule.

What prompted this?

Definite “no-nos” from real life, which I have received as comments on my posts:

“Excellent story and colourful pics: now come and see my site…”
“Rant, rant, why I hate religion, rant, rant, nothing to do with your post, continued rant”
“I really don’t like black and white photographs”

I like to follow my dear departed Grandmother’s motto “If you haven’t gotten anything nice or constructive to say, shut the hell up!”

Keep calm and keep blogging, and commenting all!

zzzzzz7654328

Blogging 101, Commenting Bootcamp, Day One: Just Start Talking!

Blogging 101, Commenting Bootcamp, Day One: Just Start Talking!

The only way to get over the fear of publishing something silly is to take a deep breath and click “Publish,” and the only way to get over the fear of being a boring commenter is to leave comments!

Today, comment on three blogs where you’ve never commented before. Not on your mom’s blog, or your friend’s blog — three new-to-you-places.

Browse the Reader, check out the latest in Discover, visit blogs your friends recommend on Facebook or Twitter, or click blogroll links on blogs you already know and love. Visit the blogs of other Blogging 101ers. It doesn’t matter how you find three blogs — go exploring!

These comments can be short and sweet, as long as they’re substantive. For tips on thinking up great comments, check out our suggestions.

(And if you’re worried that your comments are boring, (1) they’re probably not! and (2) The Commons is a great place to get a second opinion before you post.)

bella-post-your-feedback

“Don’t procrastinate. If you want to blog, then blog.” Fritz Chery

Just Start Talking!

Don’t encourage me! Talking is something I never had trouble with 😉

That being said, in the blogging world commenting and responding to many comments can sometimes be time consuming. Therefore a simple like is what can be given most times, indicating “I really liked the post”. Still nothing is as heartwarming as nice feedback.

My three options for today for comments were the following fine posts:

acookingpotandtwistedtales.com

“Good interpretation from the photo. Well written one shot!”

ashortconversation.wordpress.com

“A picture paints a thousand words, then again, your words do paint a picture too! Great story!”

thedisappearingisland.wordpress.com

“I can see this as clearly as a photograph, well done!”

In addition to commenting; I have also started reposting some of the posts I find to be interesting and in need of sharing. This is something I intend to continue doing in the future as well.

'Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will rip out my entrails and dance on my grave.'

‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will rip out my entrails and dance on my grave.’