Monday, November 22, 2010

Blogging as Art


I’ve been a little frustrated with blogging lately. Ideas (at least recently) is difficult to come by, and sometimes putting my thoughts into words just seem so difficult. But I wanted to start writing creatively again, so I guess I need to stop making excuses and just write. I need to fight the predisposition to just lie in bed and not exert any effort, which gets worse the longer I don’t do anything, which makes writing an even more difficult exercise than before. But I also realize that sometimes I just really need to do it, regardless of the quality of the output; otherwise, I might as well pack up and stop blogging.

Which I have no intention of doing really. I love this blog. I’ve just been lazy.

The problem with blogging in general is that it is usually a one-person affair, and if you are incapable of sustaining a certain number and frequency of posts, then the online space just dies a natural death. Not death in the sense that you’d stop writing, that’s really up to you, but more of a lack of readers interested in your work. And to people who say that they don’t care about having readers, they just want to put their thoughts on paper, I say that’s BS: of course you want readers. Maybe not a lot, maybe just your friends, maybe even just one stranger or two, but you still want readers. Otherwise, having a blog is pointless. Why not just write in a journal? A blog is necessarily a public space, which means you aim to share it with the public (even if public meant a select group of friends). It’s similar to that philosophical question regarding trees and forests: If a blog doesn’t have readers, does it have a point?

And because a blog is necessarily a medium that requires readers, then perhaps some standards need to be put in place. Why do anything if you’re only going to be half-assed about it? Might as well give it your all. That applies to blogging, as with anything else.

Which brings me to my real point: that blogging can, and should be, elevated to an art form, in the same way that fiction, or poetry, or non-fiction narratives are considered legitimate art work. Some people have a tendency to look at blogs as hobbies, which isn’t a bad thing, but I feel that bloggers tend to limit themselves by thinking that a blog is only just a means to create something else, rather than the end result itself. I get that, and one of the primary reasons I blog is to practice my writing skills so I can get better. But it doesn’t mean that we should instantly assume that a blog as a medium is less than a poem, or a story, or a book, or a magazine. Some of the best blogs out there connect with me on a fundamental level, whether psychological, or emotional, or spiritual, and who is to say that that connection is less than valid simply because it’s made in a blog? When the aim of your work is to connect with strangers on an essentially human level, where does the hobby stop, and art begins?

It’s interesting how similar the aims of artists and bloggers can be. And those aims are, at their core, based on a love for the act of creation.

So this is my proposal. I suggest that bloggers stop thinking of blogging as less than any of the other more mainstream art forms out there. We are all artists, whether we accept the title or not. We create and we destroy as well as any other. Blogging can be the future of art, and we, the bloggers, will determine its success or failure.

Featured photo taken here.


39 comments:

  1. FC

    what a great post man!!! that was like the thing i needed to hear, cuz i was just thinking the other day how difficult it is to write one blog per day, (my goal) for each of my blogs, and how i was really kinda halfassing it this week end...

    a couple other blogs i follow expressed similar thougths on the lazy factor...

    you are so right, the best stuff i read is on blogs...i think cuz it comes form the heart...and art is nothing more than expressing passion...

    one thing i do to help keep the writing going is jot ideas in the blogger in draft and then go back to them when i am dry. they some times help get me motivated to write more...

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  2. Yes I agree blogging is an art form and it is flattering, encouraging, honoring, and uplifting to have followers.

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  3. I'm so glad I read this post! I truly agree that blogging is more than merely journaling or a simple hobby. Writing posts for my site is something I absolutely love to do, regardless of how few people they may reach, though making those connections with readers is a great feeling. I consider the act of composing posts a form of creation in itself, and I fully support your proposal for making blogging a new, successfully received art form

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  4. Wonderful food for thought. I originally intended my blog to be an opportunity to start writing again and hopefully to get enough attention that I would ultimately be asked to write elsewhere. However, over time I have come to agree with your point that blogging itself is a form of art -- and very evident when you realize the amount of amazing writing that exists out there in the blogsphere.

    Have a great week and I hope you stop back by my blog again sometime as you have been missed.

    http://rantersbox.blogspot.com

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  5. sooooooooooooo agree!!

    There is a wonderful remedy for writer's block....it is called "Guest Bloggers!!"...they afford the blogger a break, they also bring a new/different voice to a blog which can be a very good thing!

    I have also learned that a blog doesn't always have to be "written" in order to be good or successful. I have learned that "a picture speaks a thousand words"...many readers respond better to photos/videos because they want to look quickly and move on....

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  6. I agree with you, when I write on my blog I generally talk nonsense, but I still strive to make it clever and something that's enjoyable and connects to anyone on some level. That connection you make with a reader is when I feel I can call it an art medium, and it also gives you a drive to improve every time and be more creative, like any other art medium! Well said!

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  7. There are some interesting blogs and some not interesting. I once came across a blog where they documented their entire days starting with a bowl of Cheerios and not in a creative way.

    I started blogging to document my progress with my needlework. Then I decided a few readers and comments would be nice. Now, I write for myself, my small group of readers, but mostly I hope it's available for granddaughter to read later on.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.

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  8. I agree with you, sort of.

    Blogging can be art, but it can be something different too. It is more of an art/news portal than an actual canvass for pure art. I think to demand all blogs be artistic is to limit the ways in which we share.

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  9. I couldn't agree more.
    .
    .
    But lately I'm feeling kinda disappointed with some bloggers. In my case, I tend to question their purpose.
    .
    .
    I can't explain it really well right now. I'll get back on that when I have more concrete things to say.
    [i've been reading your blog huh. di nga lang ako nagkocomment minsan]

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  10. i agree. blogging should be fun and not add pressure and stress to your life.

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  11. Now, there is a pressure to put it up a notch. :P

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  12. A thought of bringing my blog to it’s “natural death” crossed my mind I must say, as if I do not have any interesting ideas to share with my readers, I just don’t post anything (as opposed to just filling out the space with stuff: if I don’t have anything to say, I don’t). But then this inspiring post (thank you!) reminded me that when you start writing and you start a discussion - a flow of ideas might generate some interesting responses and “end results”. So thank you for your blog and your creative thoughts, keep’m coming! :)

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  13. I vote for a blog-filter to separate the blogging from the bogging. I love reading blogs, but it's hard to find the ones that are consistently interesting except through blogs of note.

    Possibly Blogger should make us all answer more serious questions when we set up and then rate us accordingly, of course while checking back occasionally to ensure content is as it is described. Would save me a hell of a lot of time reading rubbishy first paragraphs.

    Is big brother reading this?

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  14. I completely agree with your post, and thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  15. My first time to comment because you literally took the words out of my mouth when you said...

    "And to people who say that they don't care about having readers, they just want to put their thoughts on paper, I say bullshit: of course you want readers. Maybe not a lot, maybe just your friends, maybe even just one stranger or two, but you still want readers. Otherwise, having a blog is pointless. Why not just write in a journal?"

    I wanted to put these exact words in one blogpost I have read about a week ago but decided not to. Damn, hahha those were supposed to be my comment on that post LOL..

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  16. So true, if I am not inspired nothing happens for me either...

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  17. awesome post. I have my lazy days and I get to play catchup for them.

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  18. I call bullshit too....everybody wants to feel the love and acceptance with followers and comments. It's just natural.

    I think you summed up in this one post how 90% of the bloggers in bloggerville feel....even if they want to admit it or not.

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  19. I concur. There is way too much passion poured into these things to not be considered art. Might not all be art, but some of the stuff I've come across is truly astounding.

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  20. Beautiful post, and I love the way you write! I totally agree with you, and I've actually been thinking those things myself..

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  21. I once told a friend that I wanted to be a writer when I grow up, but that I didn't know how. He succinctly replied, "Writers write." That's what motivates me to post even when I think I'm playing to an empty room. (On that note, thanks for the comment, and reading my story :)..it's much appreciated!)

    www.girlplusworldblog.blogspot.com

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  22. I love your post. Sometimes people blog because they feel pressured,and I admit, I sometimes feel that way, it's like I have to blog for the sake to attain more followers and more comments but then it feels like I'm not enjoying for the fact that I tend to be very conscious with my words and with my posts because they might not like these and that and blah blah. But anyways, I realize, I blog not because I have to but because I love to.

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  23. When I first started blogging I did it for myself, then I did it for my readers, now I just don't give a fuck and now I write whatever I want to whether it be creative or just venting about my day. Thankfully now I have a few ideas out there that have balanced out the venting/creative writing bit.

    http://theadorkableditzmissteps.blogspot.com/

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  24. Hi there! I have been reading your blog for quite a time but the first time I'd leave a comment. When I started blogging I thought it was going to be a one-man thing. Then when people started reading comments and readership eventually grew, I realized that the writing is adding value in a two-way street. Keep writing!

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  25. I blog because I have deep, piercing views about life. I try to figure out the point and dig down as far as I can -no matter how disgusting the truth may be.

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  26. Ah, wise words I can relate to! I think about that whenever I write (or think about what to write) in my blog. Sometimes I look back at postings and think "why the heck did I write THAT?!? What was I thinking???" It's all part of the creative process and I think without a doubt our blogs make us better writers, hands down.

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  27. perfect post for me to read today, sugar! i've been a bit down and the blog has suffered for it. thanks for stopping by and leaving a word that made me smile! xoxox

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  28. Well said.

    I am getting tired of mumbling to others, "I write a blog," quickly followed by, "But, it's only a springboard to a book or two, or three." So now I've decided to shout from the rooftops, "I WRITE A BLOG!"

    All that's left is to wait for blogging to become an Olympic sport. Like curling.

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  29. As with everyone else, I agree! Blogging is so much more than just recording your thoguhts. I tooo think it should be an Olympic sport!

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  30. I just noticed your comment on my blog, and this was a perfect post to be the introduction to yours when I came to visit! I've had my blog name registered and sitting dormant for almost two years, but didn't dedicate anything more than the occasional rant to it out of some bizarre guilt over whether it was "cheap" of me to collect my most intimate thoughts on an internet journal. Well, it isn't. It's just writing, without the restrictions of an editor or the approval of a publisher.

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  31. you know why I'm so hooked on your blog? because you never failed to put a sense on it, and never fails to inspire me..

    waaah..

    hello!. i'm back.. lost in the woods for quite some time.. :d

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  32. Hi, I love this post. You have written so eloquently about how I feel about blogging (yet don't have the skill to put into words). Thanks too for visiting my blog and taking time to comment.

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  33. Agree whole-heartedly. May I please whore my own blog?

    http://berniemarx.blogspot.com/

    Many thankings.

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  34. so true. i agree with all the things you said and i loved this post. thank you c:

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  35. Thanks so much for popping by my blog! I enjoyed reading your posts. I find that it's easier to write in my blog every day than say, three times a week. I get less 'precious' about what I'm writing and just do it. I also agree that as bloggers it is important to know there is someone out there reading it. Even if it's only my sister at some points, I know that it's not just my dear diary. And when it can become a conversation, it is oh-so-much all the better.
    cheers
    Tara

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  36. I couldn't agree more.

    This post just wins my day.

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