Some blogger named Arianna Huffington went on the Daily Show this week to explain what “blogging” is, (it’s not just for cat pictures any more!)
“Blogging is not about perfectionism. Blogging is about intimacy, immediacy and transparency.”
Yes, that’s what blogging is about, and that’s why blogs are so bad. Here’s my philosophy:
- Blogging, like all writing, should be motivated by perfectionism. What you write doesn’t have to be important, and it doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be as good as you can make it. If not, what’s the point? Where’s your pride? If your hobby is to paint or sing or play sports, you try your best. Trying hard and getting better is what makes it fun. Why should writing be different?
- Intimacy should be used sparingly. If you’re always intimate, you become just a reality star, but with fewer onlookers. Intimacy works, but it might be bad for you. Use it for the few parts of your life that are genuinely interesting or exceptional.
- What happens right now is overrated. Write about things before everybody notice them, or after everybody has forgotten them. If it’s happening now, you’re either too late or too early.
- In short, blogging should be a performance. Make it a good one.
Arianna’s advice is good for frightened newcomers. When you want someone to sing for the first time, you encourage them. Tell them nobody’s going to laugh. But when they’re no longer afraid, you tell them how to get better.
You must be making a funny when you refer to Huffington as “some blogger.” She runs one of the top viewed blogs on the Net. I used to check in on it on a daily basis but hardly bother anymore.Good advice Bjørn – I’ve been contemplating starting a blog for the last couple of years but have never get around to it. BTW, I read your old blog and thought you’d disappeared. Then I discovered you again (yesterday, after checking on Vampus Verden). You live, or more correctly, write your own advice. Excellent blog.Keep on rocking in the free world.
“She runs one of the top viewed blogs on the Net.”Yes.
“I read your old blog and thought you’d disappeared”Bloggers never disappear, they just take breaks. (Or in my case slow down their publishing schedule so much that it’s practically the same thing.)Thanks.