Gerald and I got to talking about blog comments last night. I was lamenting the disparity between the number of hits I get and the number of comments left. I get quite a few visitors each day, but not really a lot of comments. Those who do comment, though, are fairly regular about commenting. I appreciate that, very much. You see, I’m a total comment whore.
My personal philosophy on comments is this: I have a public journal because I welcome the interaction from my readers. If I just wanted to write, I’d have a paper journal on my nightstand. Instead, I chose to write in a public forum. Therefore, I like comments. They’re a sort of validation, if you will.
I must admit that I’m not as good about frequent commenting as I’d like to be. Those blogs listed over there to your left? Yeah, I read them all everyday, but I don’t always comment. Mostly, because I’m lazy. But, I do try to comment at least every couple of posts. I want the authors to know I’m reading and to validate their efforts a little bit.
There are two distinct schools of thought on comments. There are those that carry on conversations via comments, and those that say what they want to say and never look back. Me? I’m a converser. I’ll check comments again later and see if anyone responded to my comment. I’ve always wanted to respond to all of my commenters as well, but, again see the aforementioned laziness. WordPress allows me to edit any of the comments I get, so I’m resolving to respond to your comments now. My stuff if the italicized print at the bottom of your comments.
Thanks again for visiting my new place. Have a seat in the comfy velour chair and help yourself to a frosty beverage.
Oh oh, me too, me too. I feel just like you. I love comments. I try to converse in my comments section. I’m lazy too though, so I don’t always get to it. If I know that you write back to your readers, I will check back for the conversations.
I’m going to do my best to reply to comments, but again, I’m really lazy, so don’t be surprised if I stink at it.
I love comments, too, I just don’t ever get any (can you hear the violins playing in the background?). I know several people who read my blog who e-mail me or call me about the post….HELLO….that’s why there’s a comment section, duh. Sorry. Anyway, I’ll be checking back in more often, too, since you can comment on our comments. What fun!
I went to your place and left two (!!) comments for you. Would have only been one, but I’m dumb and forgot to log in first.
O.k., I’m one of those “read-the-Potter-epilogue-first” co-workers Erica wrote about. But in my defense haven’t we ALL been wondering who hooks up w/ who for the last 7 years??? And then I read the book and was very happy how things turned out, and why Snape turned out to be a good guy after all.
And for those who haven’t read the book and only have watched the movies, PLEASE read the books!! You’ll get so much more out of them, they are a wonderful series-I hope they do the last movie justice that’s all I’m sayin’!
So, it’s not bad enough that you read the ending first? You thought you’d leave a spoiler in my comments section?? You’re such a dork, Michelle.
Oh, dear. I’m a comment-and-run type, so now I will try to remember to come back for More Erica.
And who wouldn’t want More Erica? No one, that’s who. That’s like a triple negative, isn’t it? What I mean is everyone wants More Erica. Get it?
I don’t really have a comment, but for some strange reason felt obligated to leave one.
Not sure why, but oh well, here it is!
So, I’m thinking of reading the Harry Potter books. I realize your probably not a fan but do you recommend them anyway?
HUGS!
grace
You know, grace, I’ve never read any of these “Harry Potter” books, but I’m guessing they’re pretty good from the way I hear people talking about them. Maybe I’ll give them a shot.
“Too much white magic”
/ducks
Seriously (SRSLY!) I’m proud to say I’m a comment whore too; as you say, if you don’t want validation, why not scribble in a private diary instead of having a public blog? Although lately I haven’t felt like conversing in my comments; I’m not sure why. When I do feel like it, I’m sure I’ll start doing it again.
I decided against a blogroll this time around, though. It always became some kind of weird popularity contest (I’d get emails: “I linked you! Now you can link me! Hey! Why aren’t you linking me? Don’t you like me?”) OMG. Became a huge pain.
I do enjoy commenting when I have something to say and the time to say it. If I don’t, then I don’t say anything.
But this bit me in the ass. My son’s fiance recently started a blog and so did my daughter, about the weddings, about their lives, etc. I guess I commented one time more on Lucy’s blog than on Cory’s blog and Cory got her feelings hurt.
OMG again. Ai-yi-yi! *laughs* Now I have to make sure I comment *every* time on both their blogs.
AUGH! It’s so complicated.
See? That’s why I only have one kid. No worries about making sure things are even!
I’m pretty stingy with my blogroll this time around. Since this isn’t an anonymous blog, I have to be careful to whom I link, lest friends and family let their imaginations run wild, if you catch my drift.
Erica, with a comfy chair like that, I just may visit more often.
Warm hugs,
Paul.
I’ll make sure there’s always a spot for you, Dear Paul.
Man, I was the worst at this. I LURKED AND LURKED AND LURKED for YEARS. I’m getting better though.
Also, I read SO MANY blogs that sometimes I feel like if I left a comment on all of them that’s all I would ever do.