Blog Post versus Word Vomit

Until this year, I knew next to nothing about blogging.  Since January, I have made it my personal business to learn more.  Initially I believed that blogging was more about spewing gripes, commentary, or useless personal information.  Why would I want to read about what you ate for lunch or how you’re struggling with writer’s block today?

However, my research has since revealed that some blogs should be considered art.  If a blogger (not a business, mind you, a person) can make me laugh out loud like Allie does while reading her about page on her blog Hyperbole and a Half, then she’s doing something right, right?

 Hi.  I’m Allie.

  If I had to explain myself in six words, those words would be “heroic, caring, alert and flammable.”  That’s only four words.  Oh well, I guess I should have thought of that before I started writing.  Too late now.
  Here, I drew you a picture of a unicorn:

  You’re welcome.
  This is probably the least informative about page ever.

The Pioneer Woman, has been voted best blog for 3 years in a row.  Ree Drummond is a master at weaving pictures into savory life-moments.  Her masterful blog is like a live, interactive scrapbook.  Wow!

Sadly, I can’t draw like Allie.  I’m a crummy photographer, and I have too many grumpy days to make me any sort of artistic or inspirational blogger like Ree.  If you are interested in investigating some amazing blogs on your own, check out the Weblog Awards.

All that being said, I have also been blown away by the talent of my fellow librarians, especially Bobbi Newman and her blog LibrarianbyDay.  LibrarianAvengers faithfully blogs about edgy stuff as well.  If you are interested in other great librarian blogs, the Open Education Database actually ranked blogs using specific criteria in 2007.  Click here for the list.  Otherwise, just type in best library or librarian blogs.  Lots of lists pop up.  Have fun 🙂

Ultimately what I have discovered is how doggone generous people are!  And, THAT is what blogging is about: sharing.

Great bloggers understand this.  They respect their readers.  They put time and effort into each post.  They certainly understand the difference between crafting a useful article and spewing word vomit on the screen.  Their goal is to share with us what they know or what they’ve learned.  And while the dream of most bloggers is to draw a large following and get Google to pay them to advertise on their sites, mostly, they blog for free.  Again, wow!

All of the articles I have read point out that successful bloggers must have a focus, just like the ones I’ve mentioned in this post do.  I may not yet have found my niche yet.  But at least I have some great bloggers to follow, to learn from, and to emulate.  Let the meaningful sharing begin today.