Monday, February 09, 2004
Why?
First, I suppose, the discipline of writing a little something in the public realm every day will be useful. I will be able to report immediately on the progress of my Vagabond In the Middle project; I will be able to weigh the value of my experiences on an on-going basis.
Second, the notion of reaching a few, good readers is attractive.
Third, writing sometimes seems like an awfully lonely undertaking. I like the idea of getting feedback, creating discussion.
I know this is not for everyone. I have said as much in a comment I made recently at Fragments from Floyd: "Just last week I tried to get a writer friend interested in blogs and in the communities that develop around them. I couldn't budge him. I told him that blogging allows one to address interested readers without reliance on any of the traditional means, e.g. established newspapers and magazines, big-time book publishers, and academic institutions. I couldn't budge him. I told him it might give one the opportunity to address your best, most loyal readers. I couldn't budge him. I told him you could get instant feedback from some perceptive people. Couldn't budge him."
I don't know if I'm up to the task, but I am a believer. I intend to give it my best effort. With the travel required for my project, I may not be able to post entries every day, but I will post frequently. I know that I won't be able to post everything I learn and experience but I'll try to post enough that readers feel they are taking this Vagabond journey with me. And beyond the Vagabond expedition, I will use this space to tramp about generally in the notion of "place" and our attachment to the places we love.
First, I suppose, the discipline of writing a little something in the public realm every day will be useful. I will be able to report immediately on the progress of my Vagabond In the Middle project; I will be able to weigh the value of my experiences on an on-going basis.
Second, the notion of reaching a few, good readers is attractive.
Third, writing sometimes seems like an awfully lonely undertaking. I like the idea of getting feedback, creating discussion.
I know this is not for everyone. I have said as much in a comment I made recently at Fragments from Floyd: "Just last week I tried to get a writer friend interested in blogs and in the communities that develop around them. I couldn't budge him. I told him that blogging allows one to address interested readers without reliance on any of the traditional means, e.g. established newspapers and magazines, big-time book publishers, and academic institutions. I couldn't budge him. I told him it might give one the opportunity to address your best, most loyal readers. I couldn't budge him. I told him you could get instant feedback from some perceptive people. Couldn't budge him."
I don't know if I'm up to the task, but I am a believer. I intend to give it my best effort. With the travel required for my project, I may not be able to post entries every day, but I will post frequently. I know that I won't be able to post everything I learn and experience but I'll try to post enough that readers feel they are taking this Vagabond journey with me. And beyond the Vagabond expedition, I will use this space to tramp about generally in the notion of "place" and our attachment to the places we love.
