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I am really curious as to what people's motivations are to take part in NaBloPoMo? Since I have a cooking blog (Jaynies Kitchen) I want to see if I can really go with the NaBloPoMo flow (am I a poet and I didn't know it?!) and post something that I have tried every day for a month...whether it is a success or not.
When this event started last year, I had just begun my blog, so it would have been too overwhelming to do it at the time (on top of the fact that I'm not really much of a writer). Now, I'm a year into my blog, but haven't a 30 day stretch in the mix. It's been a mix of lack of inspiration, time, an unfortunate computer outtage and a jumble of ideas. So, I think I'm blogging every day for a couple reasons: to build up my stamina (increase my writing, etc.) and to see if I can. And, who(m) knows what else can become of it? Undoubtedly, time will tell.
I was planning to do NaNoWriMo, and this 30-day blogging thing sounded easy in comparison. (It's not that easy, I'm discovering.)
But before I even knew about either event, I planned to try to blog something every day for a long stretch. I was inspired by a group of filmmakers who each made a film every day for a month. I loved the "no excuses" attitude.
Visiting other bloggers doing NaBloPoMo and reading what they are coming up with every day motivates me too. Some people are doing some great blogging.
i used to wirte every day in addition to having the occassional challenge of writing to deadline and topic. i got out of the habit and thought this would be a good way to get the creative juices flowing again.
I'm a fairly new blogger. When I saw other bloggers participating, I was curious to see what it's all about. It's kind of challenging to see if I can do it. Plus, hopefully, someone will want to read it!
I write everyday so this wouldn't be hard, but rather what's hard is if I publish my site. I don't use Blogger or Wordpress, I use iWeb and host my own site, so it takes nearly an hour to update my site.
Why do I do it though? Because if I didn't I'd need to be in therapy. LOL!!
I blog daily, or more than daily for bucks. My personal blog, going for five years, takes a back seat. This event gives me a reason to produce more of my own stuff.
I'm try to find humor in the everyday and call attention to the weirdness in my life. But prior to joining NaBlo I was not writing on my blog, didn't think I had many inspiriting things around me to write about... so reading other blogs that I relate to has helped me unleash my inner creative writing skills. Does that make any sense? Coffee hasn't kicked in yet.
I got rather disappointed with myself after several months of just a handful (or less) of posts, even when I had ideas tumbling around in my head. So this challenge is a perfect way to make myself sort those ideas out, put them on paper (so to speak), and maintain the practice of writing every day.
My motivation is my desire to blog. I'm no prolific writer but I do love to write about stuff and share it with my readers. Whether they appreciate it or not, this is my avenue to rave and rant and I'm just glad that the NaBloPoMo reinforces that desire.
I have no 'set' motivation. I just sit down and 'blog' about whatever I've been thinking about either during the day or at that very moment. How I'm feeling, or something someone has said etc.
I do have a blog thats soley for me thoughts on various TV shows, Movies I've seen and books I've been reading, so you can guess where my motiviation comes from for that blog
But my normal blog is just ...me..in a nutshell.I mean my latest blogs have been about ranting over my internet connection, weighing your assets, clowns, shopping, chocolate sundaes and of course...my hatred for Wednesdays.
I had only started blogging 2 days before NaBloPoMo started, and found out about it by accident. I figured that the challenge of participating might get me into the habit of blogging regularly even after November. Of course, there's always the small possibility that I only have enough ideas in me to fill up 30 posts; but at least I then I can console myself with the fact that I will have gotten the whole blogging thing over with quickly and efficiently.
I'm NaBloPoMo-ing for a few reasons. First, I had been neglecting my blog and was feeling disappointed in myself because of it. NaBlo seemed like a good way to climb out of my no-posting rut. Second, I like to take on little challenges that don't seem too far out of reach. One post per day for 30 days is challenging but not utterly overwhelming. It's just right! Third, I liked the idea of joining a blogging community.
Thanks for asking!
I love to write about people, places, & things. I self-published a children's magazine a few years ago and the best part was writing articles for the readers to learn new things. I honestly have a hard time writing about the personal stuff in my life. I'm 40, I don't have kids, it makes me sad. It's hard to read all those mommy blogs, even though they're wonderful. Does anyone else feel this way sometimes? Like it's just too personal? My general personality is upbeat and optimistic, so it takes me a lot to rant & rave and get personal, though sometimes I just have to.
I think blogs are a combination of elements-- and the "personal" is one of those elements. I don't read blogs in order to get some faceless, corporate writing. On the other hand, I think bloggers should balance the daily grind posts with something worthwhile. Mommyblogs are too often self-indulgent in the worst ways.
Hi, DaveX. I laughed out loud at your earlier "Nanomanoblopopu" comment.
Just wondering what you mean by "in the worst ways" in this most recent comment of yours. I think most personal blogs (including but not limited to mommyblogs) are, by their very nature, self-indulgent. And I think that's perfectly OK. Whenever a friend or acquaintance of mine discovers I have blogs and asks for their URLs, I always warn the person that many (if not all) of my posts are self-indulgent drivel. I figure that if anyone reading my blogs gets bored of my rambling nonsense, they'll just stop reading, and that's fine by me. I think many of us just enjoy expressing ourselves through blogging, even though it's a self-indulgent exercise. I guess I just don't see anything wrong with that.
Blogging is always going to have some self-indulgent aspects to it, sure. But consider a blog as it's own medium (or format) and at some time you have to realize that it's more than a diary. If you want self-indulgent writing, and this ability to just let your thoughts flow out of you, well... that's a diary. Blogging adds elements that aren't necessary for diaries-- a readership (duh), the ability to link to things, and the possibility of conversation.
When someone just writes a bunch of stuff for their own personal good, or just to express themselves, they're missing at least half of what blogging is about. It's the difference between having a nice conversation with a friend, and having some stranger yak in your ear about their constipation.
Hi again. I am enjoying this conversation! This is my first time being part of a blogging community; this is exactly the type of interaction I was hoping for.
Heh heh re: "yak in your ear about constipation." (Of course, no one is forcing his or her tales of constipation upon you! If you don't want to know about it, just don't visit the blog!)
I agree that a personal blog is more than a diary. Those of us with personal (and admittedly self-indulgent) blogs are adding such elements as links, as you mentioned; plus, we're improving on a diary by cleaning up our writing a bit and striving for readability. We're inviting comments, either from friends and family or total strangers, or both.
I think there are many different---and equally valid---reasons to blog. If I'm "missing at least half of what blogging is about," that's OK. I'm not a professional blogger; I'm not seeking to build a huge readership or make blogging my full-time job. For me it's a hobby, an outlet for my love of writing, a way to express myself, and a way to keep in touch with friends.
...and now I'm going to visit your blog and see what I'm missing!
:-)
Sounds like you already get what I'm talking about for the most part. I suppose my constipated stranger wasn't the best metaphor-- it's more like calling that person to have a conversation, and getting only an earful of the gastrointestinal stories. Your bit about "don't visit the blog!" though, is a cop-out. Imagine the same phone call, and you mention that the conversation seems one-sided... then they say: "well, don't call me anymore!"
