Thursday, September 24, 2015

Blogger Mumblings

     This last week I've heard a couple of bloggers mumbling about making changes to their blogs for the sake of improvement. 

    It's always good to hear a blogger talking out loud about making changes. You can read into that making improvements. Sometimes a change in direction is what is pondered. Do they want to change the emphasis from self to others? Do they want to change the topic a bit? Is there a set pattern that they would change?

    One of the bloggers meets up with other bloggers once a year. This year they are going to make it into a writing workshop. What a super idea. Most of us are writing by ourselves. We don't discuss things with others. I hope these bloggers have a productive weekend. When I tell others that I write a blog they put a pleasant smile on their face and that's about it. They don't really know what a blog is. So I don't get to discuss my writing. 

    Another blogger has a fairly narrow subject matter but it is extremely well written. I hope she finds the new direction so that she keeps being enthusiastic about blogging.

   I have a little note on my desk to remind me of the objectives I laid down when I started blogging. I cover these goals but have wondered widely to other areas. So the list I started with was incomplete.

   It's fun to go back once in awhile and look at the things I wrote. The writing has changed. I guess along the way I've maybe learned some things. Reading other blogs certainly helps. Other blogs give ideas for topics. I never want to get in a rut and write on the same topic.

    There are some things I would like to change. I'd like to change my header. I'm sure the regulars would like to open this blog up and see something different. I would also like to change the format. I've monkeyed around with the format but can't make anything that is much different. 

    So do you ask yourself questions about your blog? Are there things you would like to change? What things have you changed that you really like and feel that were successful?

    What things would you like to see change on my blog? What topics would you like to see on my blog?  Now that I've given you a chance to make comments, I'll have to make some response.



33 comments:

  1. Write about what ever you like Red! I would like to hear more about your teaching adventures. I never change much just my header photo:)

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    1. Reader opinions help to send you in the right direction . Good advice to write what you and and be yourself.

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  2. I always enjoy whatever you write about, Red. I happen to really love Canada so it's very interesting for me to see what life is like from your eyes.

    I tried changing the format/layout of my blog a few years ago and really screwed things up. Therefore I started another blog as an experimental place to play around with. I don't have it open for anyone to see. It's just to play around with the layout to see if I want to change anything. That way, I won't goof up my main blog.

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    1. I like this idea of another blog that is used for experiments. What a great idea!

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  3. Blogging doesn't have rules. We publish what we want to share about our lives or our thinking or our surroundings. If it interests us it will hopefully interest our readers, readers who eventually become our friends.

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    1. There's really no end of good topics. We have to present them in the best way we know.

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  4. i always enjoy when you share photos on your blog. and sharing your musings and memories as you are a kind soul. :)

    i wish i had more time for blogging. i miss having time. :)

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    1. Well, thankyou. the same thing happens about Texas. I was in Texas for a few hours. I went through the Dallas airport!

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  5. If you want to change your header then either use the instructions I sent or ask and I will do it for you, I like making weird headers.

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    1. I still have your instructions . I like Kay's suggestion. I will set up a blog and use it to experiment with things.

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  6. I like Kay's idea to have another blog for experimenting as I completely changed my blog a couple of years ago and then couldn't get it back to how it had been. Now I just change the header occasionally. As for your content, I like how you write and your subject matter.

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    1. Kay has an excellent idea. I will use it.

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  7. I like to change the header so now and than and have another template and layout. It is worth to try.

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  8. i changed looks a lot for a while. much was when a friend did the same.

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  9. Checking in after a bit of an absence... my summer has been nuts. Need to do something about that! Anyway, I love your blog and your perspective on life. I enjoy reading about all the different things you write about... I don't care if you never change a thing! :) This blog is you, and very authentic. I'm a fan, even if I can't always get here in a timely fashion.

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  10. Hi Red, We are kind of on the same track about changing up the blog. Well, I have been tinkering around with the header for a month or two. Got some nice compliments from a couple of folks. Most recently I changed it to a picture I like but I'm not so sure others will like ... sitting on the deck of a ship and looking out to the ocean. As for the writing itself, you are more into telling the interesting stories than I am, and in my opinion, you don't need to change a thing there. Of course the teacher in me would like to hear more about your teaching adventures, just as Far Side of Fifty suggested. In any event, I think you are doing just fine and, as the kids say today, no worries. Have a good weekend!

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    1. Thanks. It's always nice to get some feed back. I'm going to do what Kay suggested and set up a blog to use for experimenting.

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  11. I like to open up favorite blogs (like yours) and see it looking familiar. When people change theirs up too much, I feel a little like they are messing with success, which is never a good idea. I love the stories you tell about your teaching, and about your activities. Your blog as evolved as you have learned, but you don't need to do anything more than what you have to keep ME happy. I'm glad you're here. :-)

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    1. Thanks. I had intended to change with the seasons as I have the same photos for different seasons. I hope that you share from your blogger's weekend workshop.

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  12. There doesn't need to be rules in blogging! I tend to open up my blogs back to where I left off, and work my way through them chronologically to the most recent.

    My writer's blog, I just leave the header as is, but for my photoblog, I change the header by the season.

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    1. You're right that there are no rules. However, there are things that work. I think if some bloggers changed they wouldn't quit.

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  13. I think your topics are very interesting because they're based on your own experiences. Whatever you want to share is good with me. My blog has evolved over the years. And it keeps on changing. I don't have a particular theme in mind. It's just a fun thing to do.

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    1. I think you're right on. Blogs grow. As I said when I look back I can see all kinds of changes.

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  14. Change can be difficult for some...they like to see the same thing always...I do not change much because I'm just not inclined ... seems like unnecessary work... Maybe I should try it sometime?

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    1. I haven't heard from you for a long time. thanks for dropping in again.

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  15. I recently added two art portfolio pages so readers can see my work. I don't know if anyone checks them out, but they're there.

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    1. I hadn't noticed this. i will have to check it out.

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  16. When I read this post yesterday, no one had commented yet so I decided to come back later and post. It's funny but I just can't be the first to leave a comment on a post. I love your blog and the stories you share. I would love to change the header on my blog but I don't know how. I know just enough about blogging to get by.

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  17. Kay's idea is wise. I have another one somewhere also for the same reason. I doubt I could ever find it again though. ;) The only things I've changed over the past several years is the appearance.. and I've only done that about four time in about twice as many years.

    I don't think you should be asking what others want to see on your blog. It should be about what YOU want to share. Why mess with success? :)

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  18. You have a audience Red that should tell you something..

    I like any subject you do but I do like your pass story tales and your teacher tales. You have humor when you write. Have no complaints. Some stories you have told. I have been there and done that too. Which makes me laugh.

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