No comment
Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 07:58AM I've been thinking a lot about comments lately; I mean comments at blogs.
It's nice getting comments. It's like speaking to someone and having that person speak back. Sometimes, I probably comment too much. I'm trying to speak less. It isn't easy, but I'm trying. I do tend toward being an introvert, but I'm a "moderately expressed" one.
There are two sides to blog comments: the ones we receive and the ones we leave. I'd like to be better at both ends. By that, I mean, not expecting any, but being thankful when someone reaches out, so to speak. The other side is leaving comments. I'd like to be more encouraging and speak less about myself in the comments sections. If I am prompted to debate, I want to stop and consider. Is the debate better done privately? I'm not a fan of bloggers who only allow you to comment publicly.
I need to ask myself if my comment reflects something about me or gives a word of thanks to the writer. I think we all have different issues with regard to both ends of the situation. What I don't want to do is to speak wrongly in either case.
My husband seldom comments and he informs me that it doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate the words. He just chooses to speak only when he has something of value to say. His approach is the best, I think.
It's something to think about, anyway.
Writing Life
Reader Comments (6)
I love getting comments and I do try to comment if something in particular strikes me on other blogs, BUT...I do have to exercise a lot of self-control when it comes to entering any sort of debate on blogs other than my own (when I'm really just responding to other people). It just never goes well...there's too much misunderstanding and I think people actually tend to be less careful with their words in writing than they would be if they were speaking them face to face.
I enjoy leaving and receiving comments, but it is frustrating to me when I have to jump through several I-am-not-a-spambot hoops to leave one. Yesterday, I made three attempts to leave a comment on a friend's blog, and three times I couldn't distinguish the crazy jumbled letters to be allowed to leave my comment. I just gave up. Who has time for that?!
Leslie, I know what you mean. I don't like those spam filter things at all.
Elizabeth: you are right. It never goes well.
"I'm not a fan of bloggers who only allow you to comment publicly. "
Kim - I apologize that is the case with my blog, but don't have that option with blogger unless I moderate all comments - which some people find frustrating too.
I worry that I say too much sometimes when I leave a comment. I'm too chatty.
Diane, what I meant that the blogger doesn't give you an option to email. You have left a place for your readers to contact you if they don't want to comment.
Kim,
I wholeheartedly agree with what you say Neil is doing, about only speaking when it will add value to the conversation. I've been convicted lately about doing more of that.
Thank you for your posts. They continue to be a source of encouragement and often give cause for a little (or a lot of) introspection. Keep posting, my friend!