One grey day, there was a knock on my door. I wasn’t expecting anyone. When I opened the door, there stood my website guru, Eric, the man who helps me keep on the cyber space straight and narrow!
“ Come in, Eric, you’re just the man I need to see right now. You must be psychic, dropping by when I need you.”
“Well Dave, I did feel some vibrations in the air. But to tell you the truth, I just felt like sampling some of your wine. What’s the problem?”
“I’m a frustrated blogger. I have a thousand hits on my writer’s blog, where I feature my short stories. But, I only have 300 comments and some of those are mine!”
“So, you’re frustrated because people don’t comment!”
I poured Eric and myself a large glass of red wine each and continued:
“Yes, but not only that, when I tell people about my blog, they say, they don’t have time to read it!”
“Well, people do need time to absorb and process a piece of writing so they know what to comment.”
“But Eric, I tell people my stories are only 400 to 500 words in length. It only takes a few minutes to read and comment on a story.”
“More wine, please,” said Eric, pointing to his empty glass.
Upon getting his glass refilled, he continued:
“Well, lets see if you’re doing things right. Do you close your stories with a question?”
“Probably not as much as I should.”
“Do you work hard enough at blogging?”
“I most certainly do. I put a lot of sweat, stress and energy into my writer’s blog.”
“Do you reply to your comments to keep the conversation going?”
“I do reply sometimes, but I will do it more often now.”
“Is it easy to comment on your blog?”
“Oh yes, only name and email are required and the email address is not published.”
“Well, it seems you’re doing everything right. The only thing I would say is that a lot of people don’t want to open themselves up online, they’re scared. People are insecure and don’t comment for fear of humiliation. Also, we live in an environment of bystanders, watchers. There are commenters and viewers. By the way, do you need comments for affirmation?”
“No, not really, but a comment shows that the reader cared enough to let you know the blog was read.”
“Do you enjoy blogging?”
“Oh yes, I enjoy writing the blog, it’s a way of getting my stories out to the public.”
“Well Dave, I’ll leave you now with this gem: work hard on your writing, the secrets of success won’t work unless you do. And always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them!”
With that, I was left alone to wash up the wine glasses!
***
Well readers, I have 80 stories on this blog. Will you take time to read and comment? I will appreciate it.
Good points here; and you know what? I do think people have too much on their plates these days. And besides that, tend to procrastinate. I find myself doing that and I don’t like it. However, if you love what you are doing, and I think you do, that is what matters.
I can identify, Dave! Very few people leave comments.
Wish I had some advice. What I’ve seen others’ say is the only way to do it is to follow others’ blogs regularly and leave comments on theirs. Then they will reciprocate.
Good luck,
Marla
I’M NOT SHOUTING. I JUST LIKE CAPS BECAUSE THEY ARE EASIER FOR ME TO READ. DAVE, I TRY TO COMMENT ON EVERY ONE OF YOUR BLOGS. IT TAKES ME TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO SAY. HELEN, MARIA, LARRY AND COUSIN JIM ARE ALL VERY GOOD AT ANSWERING WITH CLEVER IDEAS.
I ADMIRE THEM. I’M TRYING TO WRITE EQUALLY WELL. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO THINK FIRST…………I HEARD THAT WAS A GOOD THING TO DO……..I’LL GET BACK TO YOU…….RIGHT NOW I’M THINKING.
Tom, just to let you know you are not one of my blogging frustrations. I can always count on you for a comment.
Thank You,
Writer Dave
Writer Dave gets some excellent professional advice from his personal blog guru Eric. This is my two-cents worth: If you are not reading Dave’s blogs, you are missing a literary treat. Most of the 80 blogs are mini yarns, so very well woven for such finely constructed stories.
Larry Primak, former section editor and Variety critic.
Larry,
Thanks so much for your vote of confidence and praise.
Coming from a former editor, Variety magazine critic and
Playboy club pubic relations man, it is valued praise indeed.
HI cousin I think Eric is right you should comment back on the comments, it lets people know you are reading and accepting their comments, even if you disagree with them.
By the way, are you depressed? I like your stories but this one sounds more like you are feeling sorry for yourself. Get back to the good yarns and break your writers block. Why don’t you tell us about the UFO you saw when you got off your stool at the pub.
This Eric character sounds like he’s got the patience of a saint! I hope you are paying him well and keeping his wine glass topped up.