Tuesday, November 11, 2008

All-weather or Fair-weather

I want you all to confess: Are there blogs you read just for the sheer joy of reading them, blogs that you comment on even if the author never comments on your blog?

Or you a tit-for-tat blogger only? Will you only visit, read, and comment on blogs if that person does it for you and in equal amounts?

The reason I ask is that I read 4 or 5 blogs that I read just for the joy of them. Some I comment on regularly, some I comment on rarely. But I don't care if the author comments on my blog or even reads my blog. Most of those authors, I am sure, never do and never will. But I keep reading because I like what they have to say.

I have also noticed (and appreciate) people who read my blog even though I don't always, often, or ever comment on their blogs. It's the sincerest form of flattery to me when they keep reading even when I can't keep up on them.

So I just wonder...how many people out there read and enjoy a blog for the writing's sake? Or is blogging a two-way conversation only for you?

20 comments:

Jen said...

For me I honestly think its a little of both. I mean I love your blog, along with others and read it even if you dont read mine, however I dont think anyone minds comments either. There are some key word here: SOME people (mostly in my family) that I pretty much expect will comment. Like my mom! Which I also Love. I think blogs are fun, because you can keep up with some people, without actually having to keep up with them if that makes since.

Hildie said...

There are some blogs that I feel obligated to comment on. Because the readers are so very nice to comment on mine (or else they are people that I see often and they'll totally call me on it if I don't. But their blogs are completely boring and all about their kids, so it's torture.)

Most blogs that I read are for the joy of it. if one of the almost-celebrity writers posts a comment on mine than I'm super thrilled. Doesn't happen very often.

Erica said...

A mix of both. I like being able to connect with other mom-bloggers. But I also enjoy reading other blogs of folks who I know won't be reading mine.

Aimee said...

I'm a mix of both... but, I definitely read more blogs than I comment on.

Kristine said...

No, I'm like you. There are a few blogs I read often - some I rarely comment, some I comment often, and others I comment only when I really feel overwhelmed to do so :)

I like when people comment on my blog and not just stalk it, but no biggie.

heidi said...

hmmm, i've got my faves and sometimes i leave comments. i'm pretty much not afraid to leave a comment on anyone's blog.
but, at the same time i am a comment junkie on my own blog(and my secret blog, didn't know about that did you?) why are comments from perfect strangers so thrilling?

Megan said...

I had to cut back my blogging time, but I couldn't really cut any of the blogs I read, so sadly I just cut back on commenting! So I'm still around, just silently!!

Mia said...

I have my read only blogs. Those are more of the big name bloggers like pioneer woman and design mom. I guess I figure they have so many readers that I don't need to leave them a comment. Then there are those blogs I love to read because I love to read and I do try to comment as often as time permits. Then there are those few blogs that I feel somewhat obligated to comment on but only do so once a week or so. There are maybe only a handful of blogs that I comment on regularly that have never commented on my blog, but if I am still commenting on their blog I guess I don't care.

Notme said...

I feel like I will comment more on someones blog if they read and comment on mine. I do read a lot of blogs and don't get a lot of replies, but I find a comment more if someone is a regurlat commentor on mine.

kami @ nobiggie.net said...

This is interesting. I read way to many, so for me it is like flipping through a magazine. I only comment lately if I really want to. No more blogligation for me.

Christie said...

I'm kind of there with Megan - I mostly read blogs of my friends only, but I comment must less. It just takes too much time to try and comment on every blog like I used to. Now I mostly comment when I actually have something to say. I do lurk on Pioneer Woman's blog, and one by a girl in Alaska. But that is about it.

veronica said...

I think I have a blogging inferiority complex. I read several blogs but don't comment right at first. I kinda feel like I'm crashing their party or something. (Hey, did you just hear that? Yeah that was me crashing YOUR party.)
Anyway, I'm becoming more confident in my blogger-ism so I leave comments more often.
As for comments on my own blog, I love them. It validates me. But if someone visits and doesn't comment, I don't hold a grudge...at least not for very long.

Mindi said...

oh, my. you must be getting in my head--i feel HUGE blogligation sometimes to read certain blogs and comment. but i cut waaaaaayy down on my comments i made (i.e., not commenting on every single blog like i used to feel like i had to) and i noticed a significant decline in the comments on my blog. 6 months ago it would have put me under. but blogging is all about phases, and i'm totally cool with it at this point.

i do feel bad that when i first started, ANY person that commented, i would go to their blog asap and comment. now i don't do it unless they comment a lot. i'm so jaded.

but for YOU, my darling: ALL LOVE.

Anonymous said...

I just do whatever feels good. Sometimes I just read. Sometimes I comment. Sometimes I wish people would comment on mine. A lot of people don't update their blogs often enough (you don't fall in that category, so I read yours often and try to flatter you with comments and to get to the top of the list of those who love you most...it's an honor I covet).

tiburon said...

I should just copy and past what Mindi said. I follow close to 200 blogs in reader and I comment as much as I can. I really try.

But sometimes I can't comment on every post.

I for sure notice when people stop commenting on mine - and then I kind of put their blog on the back burner. Gotsta prioritize :)

Kelly said...

I read LOTS of blogs, I comment on very few, the "you're so funny" line gets old quick. I am not so witty, which all of you are, which is why I love reading your blog and many others. Very few people read my blog, and even less comment. I am okay with that, like I said, not so witty. I get more guilty pleasures out of laughing at all of the humor than writing my own babble.

Kenny and Kelli Ray said...

I read several blogs that I don't comment on...sometimes I don't comment because I don't necessarily want them to know that I spend time reading their blog. Mean, maybe? Sometimes I just don't think I have anything GREAT to say about the post. I enjoyed the post, but didn't have anything to add to it. I like when people read my blog, and comment, but I wouldn't stop reading theirs just because they didn't comment on mine. So...there ya have it! Sounded a lot like rambling.

Tiffany said...

After my blogging break, I cut my commenting WAY back. It was a matter of necessity, but it still made me feel guilty for not reading and commenting on all of my commentor's blogs. I definitely saw a major decline in my readership at that point, which actually kind of relieved me.

I decided then that I'm going to read for the joy of reading good writing, like yours. Otherwise it just seems so unhealthy.

Great discussion question!

Anonymous said...

Hi! I like it both ways. I don't want to comment all the time, so I don't mind people doing that on mine. However, I do love it when people at least say hello once in a while so I know who's coming to my blog.

And to show I read yours... I took advantage of your anonymous feature!!!

-from Michigan (guess who)

alex dumas said...

PLEASE, do not feel obligated to read or to comment on my blog. I enjoy your comments, but that's not why I do this. There are lots of blogs I read and make comments on, and I don't expect them to read mine. In fact, sometimes I sign in under alternate logins so they can't trace me. But you knew that already.