Day 18: Analyze the Comments on Your Own Blog
Posted by blk1 on May 21, 2008
I have been going strong with this challenge but I did take a break to put some of my writing energy into my other challenges: 6 words to Kevin, A memoir for Stacey’s new Memoir Monday on my new blog and of course a Slice of Life today.
But as the last two remaining contenders battled it out for the American Idol title last night, I was poised to return to the Comment Challenge.
I have been extending myself, using the the Participants List to plunge deeper into blogging communities and adding more great sites into my Google Reader.
Before I began writing this prompt I clicked into Kate Foy’s blog, to pick her brain virtually. I found her prompt response candid and one I could relate to as she shared her early blogging and commenting experiences and how they’ve grown. A rich discussion followed in the comments section and I found it easy to leave something of myself behind.
Returning to my blog, scrolling through my comments, I realized that the posts with the great number of responses came from the Slices of Life I have shared during that monthly challenge. Stacey facilitated the birth of a new online community and it didn’t take long to get into the habit of adding my slice and then opening each slice that appeared before me, reading it and leaving a supportive comment. Throughout the day I would often return to read and comment on more slices as they arrived and in turn I got comments back.
As I focus on comments in this challenge I realize that there’s more to it than than thrill of getting a comment; there’s the rich discussion that can develop. So I’ve been returning to conversations, adding a second comment, a third.
I remember a time, not so long ago when I would read comments only in my email box and reply there. Clicking back to my blog, to other blogs is a real ahhah for me.
I have also taken more time to extend a comment and work on leaving something that might add to the conversation. It’s exciting to be here.
May 21st, 2008 at 7:11 am
I noticed that on one my posts, two of the folks are engaging in their own conversation. I am just watching it unfold. It feels … different, but fine.
Kevin
May 21st, 2008 at 7:23 am
I agree. I watched that recently on my blog over the issue of opening up comments to appear without moderation. You suggested the issue and commenters joined in talking among themselves and after I realized that I wasn’t in the center of the discussion, that the conversation was happening on my platform I let go and enjoyed it.
Bonnie
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:15 am
Tena koe Bonnie!
You seem to be having a lot of fun here too!
Well I finally made it to your blog-site. I was working on Kevin’s Day in a Sentence (with colour) tonight travelling home on the bus from work – I’m still working on it! But y’know I had deja vu! I must have come across your blog some time before, perhaps a week or so ago. I was very new to all this – still am.
Anyway, before your page scrolled down I suddenly knew who I was going to see. Now that I’ve thought about it, I think I must have looked at your site while inspecting Kevin’s – dunno.
Whatever! Nice to be here a while Bonnie.
Ka kite
from Middle-earth
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:20 am
Glad you stopped by and left me a comment. Great having these challenges to get us to explore. I’m glad I found your blog. It’s great. Love your writing, Ken. Are you enjoying this easy way to publish your words to the world?
Bonnie
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:20 am
Hey Bonnie – I just got the messasge that your Feed Burner Content was Not Available. Were you aware of this?
Ka kite
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:22 am
I was just playing with that. I don’t get it. Do you?
Bonnie
May 29th, 2008 at 4:31 am
@Bonnie – Here’s part of the message I get when I try to bring your blog across to my feed:
There has been an error of some kind. Ack!
FeedBurner could not deliver this feed to you because of the specific problem listed below:
Feed Address: http://feeds.feedburner.com/blkdramaedublogs.org
HTTP Error (Code) and Message: (404) Feed not found error: FeedBurner cannot locate this feed URI.
I’ve never seen a message like this before.
Ka kite