my single greatest fear
4/16/2010Sometimes I feel like I keep having the same conversation with myself: to blog or not to blog. I have so many other things to do that I am always flirting with the idea of sealing this up like an ancient tomb, letting it preserve the thoughts and inspirations of the present in perpetuity.
I actually don't know who reads this thing or why they come to this page. It's interesting how few people really interact in a medium that's designed for this. And I don't understand this, in fact, am often frustrated by it. If there was something I could do to increase the level of interaction, I would, but I am not sure if people come here to passively participate in my life and times. (I detest passivity.)
There's also the chance that what I write here is vastly uninteresting to most people. I realize that I am but one of 6 billion, so I could be completely off track from the mainstream (or, perhaps, my efforts to deviate from the mainstream have been entirely too successful). But at heart I am a writer who writes for people, and I do like to think that my words resonate. My single greatest fear is that what I am doing is completely irrelevant, and that touches me deep in my core.
If you have a couple of minutes and would like to share why you are reading this right now, what it is that you come to Alligator Legs Blog for, if anything, I would certainly love to hear it. I certainly do enjoy blogging, but I can just as easily write for myself in my notebook if this is not useful to other people. (Again, I am not entirely sure the extent to which I am having this conversation with myself.)
12 comments
i've been reading your blog(s) for a long time. your writing is very interesting and, more importantly, you have a very interesting point of view. the days of myspace was easier to follow, comment, judge, etc...that medium made things easier. and i have to admit, i keep forgetting to stop by alligator legs. speaking of...i need to go back and figure out that name, perhaps you explained it ;-)
ReplyDeleteI honestly check your blog each day for new postings. I don't think I can articulately clearly why I find your blog inspirational. But it has been very enlightening to read about your creative life: how you approach writing; what you write; your involvement in the art community. It provides valuable insights for a young struggling "writer" such as myself. And more than anything else, I enjoy your writing, and I'm slightly envious of how well you write, and the seeming ease you bring to it. Thank you.
ReplyDeletei read regularly and very much enjoy the perspective you share, your honesty, and your wonderful writing style. keep going. your words DO resonate! i also share your fear but i hope you keep going back to the heart of why you write, because you are touching people with your words.
ReplyDeleteThe blogging world can be such a fickle one complete with cliquishness in some genres but there is the possibility of finding camaraderie.
ReplyDeleteIn the end, I think you have to 'enjoy' what you're writing even if no one else seems to be paying attention.
It's definitely cool, though, when you can find a few like-minded individuals to banter with.
@Wale: Yes. It has been years, hasn't it? Thanks for checking in not a moment too soon. You know you can follow me any way you like...Google, Twitter, Facebook...I'm on it. :) FYI, AL is the name of my novel.
ReplyDelete@Nneoma: I appreciate your feedback. This is what I was hoping to use the blog for. I suppose I am never sure what's hitting home.
@kiacharon: Thank you for encouragement! I think it's always important to ask why we do, even if we do so often. I might just be outgrowing this thing and need to focus on my noveling and come back refreshed. Until then, more to come!
@'Drea: I definitely enjoy my writing, but think I separate my blogging from my writing. It is only of late that I have tried to conflate the two and employ some of my writing style more directly in my blogging. It is also decidedly obvious to me that the more I blog, the less time I spend writing! :)
Yeah I get where you're coming from. I think it's more platform problem - I also livejournal and dreamwidth blogs and get far more interaction there than I do from blogger. For some reason it's just a bit easier.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm really glad I found this blog - thanks for following my comic btw! Hopefully there'll be some more independent stuff come summer - because you're into the same sort of things I am and you write so beautifully about them. It'd be arrogant of me to say 'don't stop!' but I do look forward to reading more from you all the same!
It's always refreshing reading what you write. And frankly, I check on here everyday to read the new issue(s) you've written on. I guess the fact I check in here everyday looking for something new (because you're one of the very few bloggers I know that frequently posts updates on their blogs) should tell you how important your blog is to some of us. I do not always leave comments, but I comment whenever I can. Please, do not think you're blogging away and no one reads them. I do. And I'm sure many more people than you think also do. What I'll say to my fellow readers is to try and leave comments more often- even if just to day "good read". Hopefully, those comments will encourage you to continue writing as beautifully as you do.
ReplyDeleteGood work, Alligator Legs :-)
@laBiscuitnapper @Nanasei: Thanks for the encouragement! At least I know I am not talking to myself. :) I do also wish other bloggers I enjoy would post more often. That said, I do understand it requires effort and inspiration, things that may not always be in ample supply. I may well still need a creative break from this thing, but perhaps at a later date.
ReplyDeletealligator legs fan checking in....
ReplyDeleteLOL, nne! Just posted a new blog. ENJOY. :)
ReplyDeleteIm reading because you reached out to me.And now I know who you are, kinda. I think the key to successful blogging or any creative pursuit (for me illustration/murals) is consistency and letting your fam, friends, and aquaintences know what you do. I think what happends after paying much dues is that people relate an idea, practice, or art with you , a person. Not only that, they see and respect how long you've been putting in work...Light
ReplyDelete-Rob
I found your blog yesterday, and it was your username that caught my attention, "Alligator Legs." I like your blog because it's very personal. I am a writer myself, so I love it when writers share their experiences to the world.
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