For anybody who is curious:
What Blogs do I “Follow”? – Pretty much any Blog that arouses my interest.
Do I read all your Posts? – No. Insufficient time.
How do I decide what to read? – The main guide is simply the first few lines of your Post. If it gets my attention, I will read on. If it is of marginal interest, then I will speed read until I either give up, or go back and read it thoroughly. Anybody who usually writes interesting Posts will be given the benefit of the doubt with marginal Posts, as will “Followers” of this Blog.
What turns me off Posts? – Bad (obscene) language. I see no value in using obscenities unless the intent is to shock, and I am not interested in being shocked. From my perspective, using obscenities shows a lack of respect to readers around the world, and a lack of imagination in their writings.
Anything else? – Yes. Over simplification and/or false generalizations. “The whole world knows that … (etc)” is unrealistic unless the “whole world” has been surveyed. “All men will agree that … (etc)” is an equally unrealistic statement. I have drawn the attention of a number of writers to these unsupported generalizations.
When do I “Like” your Posts? – Whenever I think that a Post has some level of interest to me.
When do I “Comment” on your Posts? – Whenever I feel that I have something to offer. It may not always be agreeable or supportive as I will quite readily suggest flaws in, or additional perspectives to, the logic presented. I will, however, always recognize that your creative style is nobody’s business but yours. Any of my “Comments” that appear to be negative are merely constructive observations which, if they make you think, have achieved their purpose.
On my Posts? I believe that if you have sufficient interest, and have taken a few moments of your time, to express yourself against one of my Posts, then the least I can do is acknowledge the fact. I know that I have not been 100% in this aspect, but I am working on it! Of course, and out of simple courtesy, I will often let you have the last word!
Questions, suggestions and thoughts are always welcome!
Yep, Mom pretty much stops reading when the obscenity starts. That’s one reason she loves the posts in the “anipal” community. It’s good clean fun. Thanks for sharing, was interesting to know.
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Fun and interesting post to read and I was shaking my head in agreement with it! Never really thought I had “rules” but when stated like you did, I guess I do. I think Ray would add one more rule for other bloggers that you read and that is, “they should be dog lovers :)” LOL!
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I think we all have “rules” that we live by, although “guidelines” may be a better term to use. As for Ray’s feelings … I think that he would want all of his Followers to pre-qualify by sending him treats, and yes, Blogs that I Follow should also arrange treats for him. 🙂
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Great insight; I often have wondered what makes other bloggers tick. Thanks for sharing, Colin! 😉
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You’re welcome Monika. I am hoping to keep ticking for sometime yet! 🙂
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Now I really feel honored.. 😀
My blog rules are… Wait should I have any? 😉
I really don’t..
When I have too much time to kill, read every post in my reader..
During lack of time, visit the blogs of the few bloggers-turned-friends and get back to reading every post in my reader depending on time..
Still I have this idea etched in my head, bit deeper than I could practically deal with.. If you follow someone, try the best to read their posts.. Maybe I’m taking the word “follow” too deeply, which is definitely not doing any good to me indeed..
But I sure do have a negative list.. Delve too much on negativity or too personal rambles.. I’m out of the post.. 😉 Keep repeating it on every other post, I would rather unfollow..
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Then I must concentrate on not being negative, and not being repetitive. Always nice to hear your thoughts Aadhira. (That’s positive right?) 🙂
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Now it’s even more special to hear from you after reading your secrets.. 🙂
It’s indeed positive.. 😉
And, there are always exceptions to every rule.. 😉
Since I’ve you on my read-all-posts list and as I consider you as my friend, write whatever you wish, and I’ll read every word of it, including the comments.. 🙂
Exception here is just time factor.. 😉
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Hi Colin. Continuous bad language turns me off a post, and also the length unless I am completely drawn in to a story/article. And you already know how I feel about Ray and dogs!
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Yup. I know how you feel about Ray and dogs. 🙂
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Great list. We are alike in the way we approach posts. I would add one thing that is very important to me — wordiness. I have followed some bloggers who had great stories but it took them too long to get it out. That doesn’t mean I don’t like long posts but the verbiage has to be succinct or I lose interest. As for bad language, I’m with you. I don’t think the f-bomb has the same impact in writing that it has verbally but you can’t convince some people of that. One other point, I’m in love with Ray (and I’m a cat person)! You could write about scooping his poop and I’d be fascinated.
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Hi Kate – Re lengthy Posts? I agree with you. Any Post that approaches 1000 words has to really have my attention for it to work for me. Re Poop!!!! I have a lot of experience of that … but what on earth could fascinate you about it. IT IS POOP!
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Ahhh…but a good writer could figure out a way…..
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Hmmmm … leave it with me! 🙂
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Well stated — good post! My only complaint about your blog is … that I still have to turn my iPad around in order to hit the “post comment” button! LOL Yours is the only one for which I must do that. 🙂 [Turn screen now]
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Dare I suggest such a small inconvenience for such captivating writings? (Please don’t respond!) 🙂
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😉
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Hello Colin,
I really like the part of constructive comments to help fellow bloggers gain a broader perspective and improve. It is always a pleasure to read your blogs and know about Ray’s story and your Diary. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and life experiences 🙂
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Thx so much Himali. As for sharing “wisdom and life experiences”? At my age, I guess I must have learned something that can be shared! 🙂
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Well, we need a lot of courage firstly to give honest feedback and also a spirit of giving to share life lessons. You are really generous in both ways 🙂
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I appreciate your honesty, Colin! And I can only say: That was definitely interesting! 🙂 I always appreciate when Ray shows up on my posts and gives me insights or helps me improving English 😀
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If I compromise my honesty Erika … I compromise me. I am not prepared to do that. 🙂
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That is what makes me follow you! 😉
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I went through an exercise a very long time ago:
1. Take 6 sheets of paper.
2. In 30 secs – write down the names of 6 people you admire (1 on each sheet – 5 secs each)
3. In 3 mins (30 secs each) write down the traits you admire of those people (on their respective sheets).
4. Consolidate those traits (because there are likely duplicates).
The final list is what traits are clearly intuitively important to you (because there was no time to think it through). Compare yourself against them. Make life changes as necessary. 🙂
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Wow, that is such a great way to get deep inside ourselves. Fantastic. I keep it in mind to do it too. Awesome!
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Yeah agreed !
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Hi Nisthur. I was wondering what reaction that would get! So far … so good! 🙂
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😊
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Wow, we actually follow similar rules 😄. I am not a fan of obscene words even in real life, so very rarely do I read posts marging on that aspect too.
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Good for you Ameena! 🙂
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