3 Golden rules of blogging

I love to be the “entertainer/story teller” and pride myself on being just that. My blog is me trying to reach out to people I don’t meet or chat with everyday. Its not just about them though…its more because I feel I “HAVE” to entertain… or because I feel I have to talk to them. Obnoxious …ain’t I? I want to do something…or say something that might cheer someone up or just plain keep them occupied for 6minutes or so !!This is the most effective and least invasive way of me being in your life. I am right here…saying whatever comes to my mind….take it…or leave it….you can always use the archives section to read older posts though .

As I have mentioned before, I began blogging as part of my University course. I did not really understand the depths and neither the nuances of it then. Some of the things that work in favour of blogging are…that you can get your thoughts out there…you can hear from people…and read what they think…and also relate to them on some level, plus it nice to read nice things written about you. I remember having read my name….and a description…(ahem generous praise would be a good word ) in the newspaper. It is awesome to see someone review your work…especially if you come out trumps. I remember hearing my voice on an audio tape…which was sold. I remember a faint murmur go through my acting class and the theatre…when my “last name” is announced….This is not about all that…recognition, fame, “legacies” …nothing.

I believe in hard work…sometimes though its easy to loose heart and think that your work goes un-noticed. Even a “smiley face” left by a dear friend as a comment (pathetic effort on her part though…ooops ) makes you feel really good about yourself. We fear saying what we feel….we fear about the consequences of some thoughts….we fear what the other person might think…blogging makes it easier. If you can be vague enough…so that only the specific reader might know what/who you are talking about…(you don’t have to either) and still paint a decent picture….vague enough so no one else knows…you can get away with robbery in broad daylight. In such cases….blogging can be fun….and a great vent.

In fact…I used to write a hate filled obnoxious blog called “The Wilderness” and I did not publish anything. That was a journal…and like most journals…especially when you write something that you really mean….you try your hardest to stop anyone from reading it. I remember my brother used to write “diaries” and hide them…and I am sure cocky enough to say that I have read all of them (boy were you messed up or what….kidding ). Its important to know that blogging I feel is not meant to be that….Its hard to explain why I blog if at all….I have been an extrovert…and sometimes talk too critically of myself…or just plain talk too much….so why do more ?? And through a medium which allows asynchronous communication and physically distant people too get to know what I feel…why do I blog?May be that can be dealt with in a new post altogether.

Well I guess bottom line is that love it…and I play by the rules…which I have coined…over one whole year of blogging. So without further adieu…here they are

Rule One: You shall write what you feel
Best not to cite names…and make sure you explore both sides of the argument. Finding out the right balance…between what you want to write and what you are comfortable with people reading…there in lies the key !! Blogging is seriously addictive, especially when you can see the “blog visits/hits” go up and up…making you think a lot of people are reading what you write (mostly its hits from Ma, Pa and Mama No offense guys….it doesn’t tell me who is the “visitor”). First you write what you feel….then someone comments on it..and you write more and more….it can be a trap though if you “start to think” that you know what the readers want/like and try to tailor your thoughts.Being true and honest is one of the keys to a good blog and yet protecting the identity of the person is vital. I have got into arguments with me having committed blasphemy by stating the name of a certain person….who I was in love with…and who is married to someone else now…and her name could have come up if he decided to Google her !!!!!Of course her name is very common…Although it seems spicy/masala type material, its very important not to do that.

While on the topic of writing….one of the keys is also coming up with interesting titles. I tend to read stuff that seems appealing. Luring people into reading is also an art…one that I am still trying to master .

Rule Two: You shall keep a watch on who is watching and always respect your readers
Who’s watching/reading our thoughts is important to know….Blogs make the world even smaller. People have a tendency to Google a new name that pops up. Be if if you are going in for an interview…or are a prospective groom or whatever. You could get a lot of stick !! Of course parents and family members are the most frequent visitors and are our most avid readers…hard to imagine isn’t it ?? Yeah right….Also people who have looked up to you …. not literally but just as you are older and for some god forsaken reason they just idolize you….too read your stuff. So watch what you write…

Online presence is a bit of a two edged knife (Here is a thought…if a knife has two edges…isn’t it a … sword….albeit a small one. Or are swords those two edged knives which are long ??Bah!!) no matter how much you want to write exactly what you feel….its best to not to be too/completely honest. Really…I mean writing content, fit for most users is the key. Its like going to a movie …everything is for everyone….except for the occasional “MA only” or “PG”.Its fine to send “everyone” you know an email saying “I have a new blog”. If they don’t come back on their own….well you should take a hint…and use that as a constructive thing. Writing long posts has been my “thing”…well it makes people “skim read”…and may be I should consider writing something smaller and more meaningful….nah…..who am I kidding?

While we are on “watching” …What you must also do is read other people’s blogs…and post your comments….that it the key to the healthy “blogosphere”. Your online presence should be omnipresent…and it is possible as it is “virtual” anyways. Add people to blog rolls…make new friends and comment on what others are writing…it helps you improve as a writer…and also as a reader…if that makes any sense..

Again…even having an attractive and easy to use interface is a big help !The look of the blog is crucial. I am a student of Usability…so when I am writing content, I need to do what is best…right?

Rule three: You will be impartial/unbiassed about what you feel….

I think that blogs do wonders when you say something that you really mean. Its never as abrupt as a conversation…where you say something in the moment and may be regret it for the rest of your life….and never as fixed as thoughts written on paper…..you can always go back and change …. WYSIWYG editors allow you to do that…It helps you explore all view points…and help in the analytical process. Plus being the third person you can understand the other two, albeit one of them being you. And its not always “mandatory” to publish every entry…some can be saved…for your own perusal.

One thing to guard against is taking a firm stand on controversial issues…always best to quote someone . So long as it is in print or in some form of consumable media, no copyright violation Make sure you cite the source. While making an argument…consider both sides …and cite a reputed/well known person . This rule helps you get HDs at Uni too!! No matter what people think about “personal intellectual property” (by that I mean…my thoughts are my thoughts….so screw you) if they are about someone else…well….risky business.  Although this is not the most important rule…it is important enough to consider.

I hope that these suffice. If I think of anything else…I can always amend this entry !! They are only meant to act as a guide….and if anyone disagrees…well all the better…help me improve!!! And try and prove me wrong…BRING IT ON I say…

PS: This post is a culmination of some thoughts and an email I wrote to a good friend about blogging itself. I have been busy and not as regular with my posts over the last month or so…not that it would matter…as no one has threatened to kill me if I don’t write soon …boy wouldn’t that be fun….new levels of “creativity under immense pressure”. I am just repurposing most of what I wrote to him…saying these are the things he should/shoudn’t do…and they became the “golden” rules of blogging. Smart ain’t I? Don’t answer that…