SSWI — When in doubt, buff it out.

A very interesting discussion between khaled and David.

I think it brought up many interesting and debatable points. It got me thinking about my own blogging experience, and the very definition of blogging. It seems to me that the general definition of blogging has transformed over the years. Besides this guadual transformation, many of us has a very personal and subjective take on blogging.

Personally, I lean towards khaled. Although I don’t mean to say that I never felt manipulated by the existence of a audience. Sometimes, at least in my blogging experience, the readership does manipulate a little bit my writing.

Anyway, I hope I am making my 2 cents clear. I might have to elaborated my thoughts a bit more later. Just wanna let you guys know that that was an interesting and thought-provoking discussion. Thanks you!

Chris: How about orange (hint hint that’s what v4 is going to be all about, yeah right, orange and blue baby).

You don’t get another color! I grabbed a color from your site palette when I set up the commenter coloring. If you have a color to suggest let me know.

Thanks David, let’s try and tackle a couple of the point.

I think we approach blogging in very different ways. See for me blogging started off as a way for me actually getting things off my chest. The first couple of months where nobody read it but me I was getting very personal. It was my therapy believe or not.

It’s evolved into more now, since I don’t get as personal as I used. In terms of professional content etc, again this is where we might disagree or see things from different perspectives. Writing in a professional manner isn’t about what your write about, it’s HOW you decide to write about it.

I read this fantastic introduction to a book by matt fraction , swear I can’t remember what it was for, and it’s going to drive me insane, but anyway he put a passage by dickens who was talking about a guy going to get his haircut. I know this might sound funny but it was the most gripping thing I’d read in a while. I’m going to go find that book and talk about it on my blog for sure, but that basically taught me that it’s all in how you actually address topics rather than the topics themselves.

Final point, erm I only know Chris from the 9Rules Network. In fact until Chris put that little logo up in the corner I’d never heard of them, but if Chris say’s they’re cool, then they’re cool :).

Oh yeah and Chris how come my comments are always in pink? You trying to say something :). Originally I thought it was some kind or random colour thing going on, but alas that is not the case, who do I need to talk about getting a different colour?

I guess now is as good a time as any to say that I love your site khaled, and your themes…

Thanks for the great feedback by the way, and glad you tied it all into the 9Rules network and what it is looking for.

I think that most of the sites that are part of the network are not really personal sites…they are content sites and so I am sure most of the bloggers make sure to keep on topic because they are part of a network. You probably won’t see many of them talking about a rough time they had making lasagna or how their car broke down on their way to Wal-Mart.

I do write for my own sake, but I feel that the only way to move forward with my blog and to have it be what I want it to be in my life is to make it more interesting and professional rather than purely personal. My public blog is not a diary. It is a connection to my friends, family and others with similar interests as my own. I think that a network, be it 9Rules or another network, would allow me a larger audience to share my interests and content that I have found.

I have blogged for over two years, more on than off, and I know that blogging for myself has its own rewards, but I want more than that. I want the feeling that I am part of something more like a news paper or publication rather than a diary passed around on the web.

I think that all those in the 9Rules network have only positive things to say, and I am sure Chris would vouch for that. You know the people involved with 9Rules much more personally than I do, so your comments and critiques will of course weigh heavily on my mind, and I would never take anything you say as a personal attack, so again, thanks, and I hope to see Shuttle.

Chris, hope you don’t mind the big debate and whatnot on your blog.

I’ve never read your blog, I had a quick look just now (as you would after your comment :) ). Got a couple of things that interest me, however I would never ever ever contemplate writing ANYTHING that interested anyone apart from me. A lot of things I actually blog about are so that I don’t forget about, and when I look for them later on, hey I just need to check my site, blam and I know what I’m looking for effectively.

Somehow however I don’t think that 9Rules has got a specific style they’re looking for. More about general content quality than anything else. Trying to taylor your content for a network to me sounds like a bit of a no show to be honest. That’s just my opinion, and don’t take this as though I’m attacking you or anything, it’s just that that particular part of your comment made me think, hmm why would you do that? Surely your blog and effectively your voice means more? If you think that being part of a network would help you remained focused then I ask you this, would you continue to blog about everything and everything under the sun, knowning that the network is up for quality? Would you restrict your personal drivel rubbish posts, which do tell a different but very personal part of you for the sake of the network.

Again Chris don’t get me wrong I think it’s GREAT that you’re part of the 9Rules network, it’s shaping up to be a pretty exclusive little club and I agree with your points, but I’m kinda playing devil’s advocate right now. Guess I’m in a mood for a bit of an arguement, or at least a well meaning conversation.

khaled - If you have read my blog you’d see that it is more about me and my life and interests rather than anything else, but to strive to create content that a network would be interested in is in my opinion not a bad thing. It helps me filter out some of the garbage that I might put and keep me focused and goal oriented. It also helps me to be consistant and try to record things that might interest others as much as it interests me.

If you think those are wrong reasons to be blogging…let me know.

I’m going to be all contraversial and stuff now, and say that David you’ve got the completely wrong attitude about blogging in general :). You shouldn’t be thinking what is good for 9Rules, but more what is good for David. If 9Rules decides to include you that cool, but never cater to your perceived audience always to yourself first. Isn’t that the reason behind writing a blog. A diary for yourself? At least that’s what it is for me…

Heh, thanks for the vote of confidence Colin. Although I believe you guys are going to be quite busy once the submit button goes live Friday.

Lol…thanks Colin :P

I have a feeling a lot of people will be ‘applying’ to join 9rules this time around. Will be interesting to see who gets accepted into the clan.

Fantastic write up of what is important about our little Network. Thanks so much for taking the time to acknowledge the hard work being done. We look forward to the future - glad you are part of it.

Shawn & David: If you are the only 2 that submit on Friday, I will personally guarantee your induction. ;)

I am thinking about it…and praying, and hoping, and writing frantically as much high quality content as my mind can muster to make sure I have some semblance of what Scrivs and team might be looking for. :)

Now I just have to remember to send in my name.