Saturday, May 26, 2007

Why do I blog?

I got a very nice e-mail today from a reader (apparently a non-blogger) who asked some interesting questions about the psychology/philosophy of blogging.
And, last week I got tagged with a meme by VinnieG, in which I must explain five different reasons why I blog.
I'm going to kill two birds with one stone here, and post this explanation:

I started blogging because Morgen talked me into it. I've always loved to write long letters to friends, and it seemed logical to Morgen that blogging would be a great hobby for me. At first I didn't like the idea; I somehow thought that people would be plagiarizing my stuff, taking any good ideas I had and claiming them as their own.
But I ended up trying it anyway. My first post was in August 2006, and I've grown to love blogging more and more since then. It's a great catharsis during stressful times. And of course it's a fun way to display my craziness. :)

I've grown reasonably comfortable with the idea of people I've never met reading what I write. I don't think I have a particularly large readership, at least not compared to some of the other highly-trafficked blogs out there. So I'm comfortable thinking of my blog as a comfy cozy living room where all my cyber-friends can meet and read my stuff while they munch on yummy snacks and drink refreshing beverages. I like the informality of it all. People stop by, they read, they comment if they want to, and that's that.
They DO feel like my virtual neighbors.
It's really kind of nice.

Five reasons why I blog:

1) I love having a forum where I can be as nutty as I want, as much as I want!
2) I love knowing that at least SOME people like my stuff enough to keep coming back for more. It helps make me feel better, during moments of self-doubt.
3) I need the emotional outlet, when I am having a lousy day.
4) The daily practice helps me to write more effectively.
5) I value the friends I've met online through blogging, and I want to keep "talking" to them through this venue.
.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

I blog because the position I set in causes the gas to build up and everyone thinks farts are funny.

Later y'all

Mo and The Purries said...

Of course I'm not they type to say "I told you so"
.
.
.
so I will just say
.
.
.
"I told you so."

I'm glad you're a blogger. I knew it would be a perfect fit for you, and I'm glad you know it now, too!
:)

Sound like a smarty-pants know it all, don't I?

I should've just said "MART!"

Mimi Lenox said...

Your place is nice and comfy cozy. Now, where are the snacks?

Janna said...

Meloncutter: That's a GREAT reason!

Morgen: LOL. Yes, you should've just said "Mart." :)

Mimi: The snacks are on the coffee table. Help yourself!

Lynda said...

So, it's ok that I keep coming back?

The Ferryman said...

"Mart"? Is that a private joke? It's not about me is it? Is it?

Why do you torture me like this?

Janna said...

Lynda: Of course. Here. Have a cookie.

Mr. Fab: Oh, Fab, Fab, Fab... what am I going to do with you? The "Mart" reference is from THIS post I did a couple days ago. :)

Travis Cody said...

Hmmmm. These sound like many of the reasons I blog.

I'm glad you blog. You are without a doubt one of the zaniest people I "know".

Janna said...

Travis: That's actually a huge compliment. Thank you. :)