The point I am about to make is reiterated before me as the word "blogger" is underlined in red in my Microsoft Word document. Spell check has no idea what a blogger is, and, for a long time, neither did I. The word itself frightened me. It's a weird word. And the concept frightened me, too, because the concept was never explained thoroughly. All of the sudden (around 2005) I started hearing the word blogger everywhere. Bloggers were the experts on everything. The nightly news had bloggers and entertainment shows had a team of bloggers. It was an epidemic!
I didn't understand or appreciate blogging until I started doing it, and I started (I'm not just saying this) right here on Gather. I became a Gatherer last summer and didn't know the joys of electronically sharing random thoughts and opinions with people up until that point. Before then there were only two types of writing for me:
1. Formal writing – this includes books and articles
2. Informal writing – letter writing and journal writing
I now know that blogging sits comfortably between those two types of writing. It's not as structured as a magazine article or a book, but it's not as lax as the stream of consciousness writing usually found in a letter or a journal entry. It is it's own genre indicative of our digitally enhanced period in time. I find blogs are an ideal spot for opinions and reactions. You can react to an article, reality show, news story, or another blog. You can also state your humble (or not so humble) opinion on anything from your preferred way to bake a cake to the Bush Administration. I have since caught the blogging bug and I've added a blog to my Web site (OnKeepingAJournal.com), and I also blog for The Huffington Post.
I find many people who liken blogging to journal writing. They are undoubtedly related, but not the same. They are similar in that any time you want to up and write a journal entry or blog you can. No one can stop you. And they both go unedited. However, with public blogs, any time you know you're writing for an audience your words are bound to be affected. You might not share all the details of a story fearing your audience will judge you or you might exaggerate for shock value, whereas with a journal there is no need to hold back or sensationalize. You're writing for you and you alone. I believe both types of writing are healthy and contribute positively to a well-rounded writing life.
What makes blogging truly great is that we can all get in on the action. Readers can agree or disagree with the writer at will. So tell me: what do you think the difference, if any, is between blogging and journaling?
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Comments: 51
I look forward to checking out your new book. I have the one on Love Letters and I haven't gotten to reading it yet. But I carry it around in my backpack hoping that I will. (isn't that awful?)
There are some thoughts that are better kept to yourself. I think that blogging should be the thing that comes after your figure out what's going on. The part where you share the lesson you learned from X event and ask other people what they think about it.
Both help to focus my thoughts and improve my writing skills. Good article - thanks!
I always considered mine Journals when my children were just that children! now that they are grown with children(and grand's) I have found they have used them as a guide!My sisters son said it so aptly to her yesterday. By listening and reading about your mistakes Mom I have learned I plan on learning rather than continuing the same mistakes.
It's true that someone might get their hands on your journal someday. This is always a risk, but I still say be forthright and honest. It's good for the soul! If an honest journal entry frightens you too much then I believe it's better to throw it away than keep it inside.
As for bloggers: Yes, there must me some structure to it so that the reader can follow. With journals you have the freedom of no rules and regulations. Hooray!
this is code ??? *chuckle*
Welcome to Gather!
You've perfectly encapsulated it Samara. I couldn't say it, errr blog it, better myself. I'll add one more difference: my journals are for "unfinished thoughts," those scribblings of title ideas or song choruses or poems that aren't yet ready to see the light of day. My blog here on Gather then, is for when those journal ideas that are ready to come to light.
This is an excellent post and so glad you wrote it. I'm one of those Sr. Citizens who spends hours reading and writing on the Internet. Wonder if we can coin a workd for us?
I look forward to reading more of your 'blogs'.
Hmm Mary, I'll give this some thought. Anyone else care to take up the challenge?
I coined the word "worktirement" to describe for the period of life after traditional retirement when so many now are returning to work, so I know that coining words can be fun! Right now I'm trying to come up with something with a take on The Greatest Generation, of which your generation has been dubbed, or maybe a fun play on words with something like "senior moments".... I think I may just have to take this to my journal.... ; )
Samara, thanks for the ping and for accepting my connection request. I look forward to seeing you around!
bloomers: A cross between bloggers and Baby Boomers, this term refers to those between the ages of 45 and 62 who are coming into the digital age by self-publishing their thoughts on the Internet; i.e. Baby Boomer Bloggers. Copyright Michael
prologgers: A cross between prologue and bloggers, this term refers to those age 62 and older -- members of the U.S.'s "Greatest Generation" -- who are creating a digital legacy by cataloging their lives online through blogging. Copyright me
Thank you for this forum Samara!
Oh well, I can always read it again after... slower, like I like to do, so that I might fully appreciate the book.