So a friend asked me the other day, why had I stopped blogging. I said that it was because I hadn't really had something to say. Then I told her the truth. I was disappointed when the total number of comments on my blog so far was 0. But was that the whole reason? Maybe... maybe not. It definitely was one of them. I hadn't stopped writing, I had just stopped writing on my blog. So the question stays. I am writing here again... anyway. Not for her of course... for myself. You know how some of your favourite posts on facebook get the fewest comments or 'likes' you wonder what are the reasons? Well the easier answer is 'not important'. But for somebody who hopes to become a storyteller, I need to ponder over this question a little more than just be satisfied with 'not important'. So what is it really that gets people going? Of course facebook by any stretch of imagination cannot be the right sample of the 'market' that I am hoping to conquer one day, but definitely indicative of it. So apart from the obvious facts:
1. The people on facebook who see my status are friends at various levels (and that might not really work in my favour always... yeah i am just that sort of a person the love-hate types)
2. Blogs and Status messages are almost always self-indulgent
3. Sometimes people just don't have something to say back to you
...what is it that gets or rather entices a reaction from others, in other words makes them notice and react? Of course you could be taking refuge in some easier reaction getters like love, relationship, and sex.
Sometimes you simply happen to be a girl who has a lot of droolers or followers or worshippers who would react to absolutely anything you say or in this case post. But given the fact that I am not a girl (followed or otherwise) and want to talk about more than love, sex aur dhokas, what is it that gets people to react? A question that needs to be answered, a thought that deserves another, a memory that comes back and you hope is shared and cherished by some friends... what?
Some one actually called me the most status message-conscious person that she knows. Is it the truth? I don't know? I am certainly not the most regular ‘updater’ of status messages, I know. But am I the most status message-conscious person? I can't truly say. So while I still search for the answer to this question, let me just go and put up a my status message... haven't done it for quite a few days now.
You dont mind a small criticism do you??..:)
ReplyDeletea) I know you aspire to be more of a visual storyteller...however, could you...ahmmm...make sure your english is a little..ahmmm..lets just say "correct"??...nothing displeases a reader of blogs more than improper english and glaring mistakes in grammar.
b)personally i think status msgs whether on facebook or twitter or any other so called social networking sites are just a way for people to reach out and be heard..i know this might not appeal to your sensibility...but that's how i see it...people don't want to be forgotten...and status msgs are just a way for them to make sure that doesn't happen...i think it achieves its purpose, don't you think??...although i am still against those people who update their status msgs so much that it clogs up your home page...but who am i to comment on them...i am a consumer myself!!..:)
Anyway, keep writing!!...hopefully this comment will keep you motivated...:)
Love,
Naal
I completely agree with you on the grammer bit. I just read it again and it is awful. I guess I should read the blog at least a couple of times before I post it. As far as the second point of yours goes... Well I just saw a documentary (among many others lately) about the social networking habits of Young Americans and it brings out an interesting facet. It says that somehow facebook (i.e. your peers) forces you to be a popular person which is easier to manage behind the veil of the web.
ReplyDeleteWhatsay?
p.s. Thanks for putting up the first ever comment on my blog though. As they say... those who come after you might be bigger than you, better than you... but you'll always be the first and nobody can take that away from you ;)
rum'n'coke