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Bloggrrl posted a comment a few posts ago that will forever be known as “The Best Blog Comment Ever”. For those of you who missed it, here it is.
“You know, I have some mixed feelings about that blog you are referring to. The thing that I think we can all learn from it, though, is why are people so emotionally engaged with that blog? They are, myself included. If I could figure out the psychology behind that, it would really be something. I would love for people to have feelings about my blog, as opposed to not really noticing if I shut it down tomorrow, which I suspect may be the case.”
It was amazing, as it opened up a whole area of discussion about that blog that I failed to comprehend. The fact is, despite the fact that I perceive that blogger as a terrible writer, and more than a little selfish. I still read that blog. So, somewhere deep inside of me, I cared.
That – in my mind – is the holy grail of blogging. And you could have a blog just of photos of fecal matter, if you make people care, you will do alright.
But I really want to talk about the second point in Blogrrl’s comment, the part about shutting down. Blogs shut down all the time, well not shut down such, but they are abandoned. Usually if bloggers have a little bit of politeness, or have achieved something, then they shut them down, with a final post a little down the line saying “Thank you for visiting!”.
I’ll be honest, I was in blogging doldrums for about 2 years, not really achieving much, and have only rediscovered my mojo since the beginning of last year. I didn’t perceive myself to be in the doldrums, as my blogging evolved into more of a mates blog, rather than a worldwide phenomenon that it once was, and it is now. Looking back now though, university – and the sex, alcohol and endless Mario Party Nights made my blogging shit.
But what about before that time, when I was pretty good? What about blogging at the time when personal bloggers ruled the world? Well, it was awesome, as I built up friendships with fellow bloggers that – although not as strong as friendships I’ve got with the likes of Han and Celeste now – they seemed amazing at the time.
Two inparticular stood out now, Katie and Max.
Katie was one of my first readers, who wrote at whateverisay.com, and it was really ahead of her time blogging in 2002. It was such a fun read, and had a great sense of humour. On top of this, no other blogger challenged me to be a good blogger like Katie did. I really bounced off the petit unemployed yank with a smoking addiction, usually trying to outdo each other in each other’s comment box (One post, for example: “I like my women like I like my coffee”, I replied “Full of Baileys”). If she was blogging now, she probably would have a talk show, it was that good. And then, after a post about a magazine, nothing. Not one iota until a leaving message of thanks to her regulars. If there was one blog I’d love to know what happened to, I’d love to know what happened to her.
Max on the other hand, no such worry as he’s on my facebook (it truly is a wonderous thing). Also unlike Katie, his blog also got recognition, by winning an award with The Guardian. It was a fantastic blog, with a design ahead of it’s time, and I believe a very early adopter of WordPress too. It resonated with me because it was witty, into music and football, and nothing short of brilliant.
Alas, those two blogs are no more, consigned to me searching through archive.org. It’s a shame, but I appreciate both of them having closure. You see, if they were still blogging today, would they be as good? Like if John Lennon was still alive today, would we appreciate Imagine more? This may seem horrible, but if you get to the point where you are uncreative, had enough, circumstances change or you simply cannot be arsed, please, for my sake, draw a line underneath your blog to close. I am a worrier, and will worry about you. It also means that should you regain your mojo, people will be more accepting of a “I had problems, I sorted them out, I’m back” rather than a “Oh, hello again, I’m back”.
And on that point, I end with a question.
If I was to stop blogging tomorrow, would you miss me?
And, to eliminate any doubt that I actually am stopping tomorrow what would make you stop blogging, or how long to you perceive yourself blogging?
Comments: 21 Comments
Rhys Wynne, the author of this blog, is a 20 something web designer from Colwyn Bay. 
I’d sure miss the funny – arsed comments you leave on my blog Rhys.
I look forward to checking in most mornings to see what little nugget of wisdom you’ve left my readers.
Where would I get my readers if you weren’t here?
I have been considering changing my Q&A blog to a normal blog… the question thing was a good idea to begin with, but it’s not very versatile.
I’d only stop if I was far too busy, but would of course leave a goodbye post
I’d miss you, you big hunk of welshyness.
When I first started blogging and in fact right up until I did the most stupid thing ever and deleted my blog to become part of a blogging duo with the ex, I really enjoyed it and was really quite popular. I’ve made some amazing friendships. Though I find right now that life gets in the way a bit. I’m really busy doing other things. So blogging takes a hit. Plus frankly I’m just not that great a writer. I’d love to be able to encapsulate my personality into my posts but I just go blank. I like my blog and it’s nice having somewhere to just write aimless mutterings now and again. Perhaps one day I will get my mojo back!
“they seemed amazing at the time”
hmph
your the only regular blogger in my feed so I’d miss knowing I have at least one thing to read in the morning!
I wont stop blogging, where else would I write random shit!?
I like waking up knowing I have new things on read here so yes I would miss it if you packed up very much.
I am not a great writer and I have thought about packing in blogging or starting afresh somewhere but I can’t cut the cord. I would only stop if I felt like I was forcing it. Like Celeste I like having somewhere to write random things down plus it serves as a online memo of stuff I have been doing.
Since you moved from the large detailed (weekly ish?) posts to daily, I’ve been an avid reader. It used to be about keeping up with the goings on whilst people were at uni, but its grown into something interesting to read, with thought-provoking issues, or classic toilet humour (that baileys joke is awesome!). I think I’d pester you so much on facebook / text / email about stopping, and others would too, that you’d come back and carry on
Ooh, after just reading back my comment, I thought I’d mention one thing thats been bugging me for ages. A normal smiley face
on this looks like a very evil snigger. Is there a way of changing it just to look happy instead?
Sibz: No.
See, this is the problem, half my readers have my phone number/email address/facebook, so if I ever DO stop, I’d cause no end of grief!
I only started reading your blog last week, but yes I’d be sad if you stopped.
That Blog – I unsubscribed when it became clear they weren’t who they said they were. I’m sure it’s true of a million bloggers but…
But like Bloggrrl says, the psychology behind it all is very interesting and you never quite know what will happen next. Even though I unsubscribed, I’m still interested.
If I stopped tomorrow, I don’t think too many people would miss me, but I think that’s because I haven’t quite connected with my readers in the way that I want to yet. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy with my progress on my blog right now, but I know I could be doing better, and I’m striving to do so.
BTW, just found your blog and I really like it. Keep up the good work, and I hope to find it back here again.
I would definitely miss you! Especially since you have elevated me to someone who leaves the best comment ever! As far as what would make me stop blogging, the only thing I can think of is not having Internet access.
Yes, definitely would miss this blog to be quite honest with you. Always a good daily read over lunchtime!
What stopped me blogging before was a massive change in lifestyle and routine, it wasn’t that I couldn’t fit it in, just that it didn’t feel right. Hey ho, it does now and I’m back.
I may be acting a little dense here, but what was the blog that Bloggrrl was referring to?
I can connect with this post, big-time!
I just quit blogging at a blog I had been working on for only two months, and the response from readers was incredible. They were quite upset at my decision to stop. But, like you said, I made sure to let them know, as I think it’s inconsiderate just to stop posting, without any warning.
No one is missed for very long in the blogosphere.
Things that would make me stop blogging are 1) loosing internet access or 2) loosing interest for it
Oh yeah, I forgot to answer what would make me stop blogging…Hm. I don’t know. Maybe if my server crashed or I lost all my previous posts somehow. Not that I’m getting a ton of search engine hits on them, but it would make me feel empty if I lost all that hard work/history of my site.
I would stop blogging if I had no audience… probably.
I probably wouldn’t miss you if you stopped blogging tomorrow, given that this is my first visit. But I added you to my feed reader, so if you give up around Wednesday *then* I’d miss you.
Also, what site closed comments?! You have gossip and you’re not sharing the details so that I can gossip too? That’s just mean. I am female you know, gossip is oxygen to me!
There are times when I slow down, but I’m not sure what would make me quit. Losing my hands, maybe. Death, for sure. We’re wondering how to close out a blog that belonged to my cousin, who died on the 9th.
But my blog is really more than a blog. It’s a record of our lives for my son. What was happening. How I feel about things. My relationship to his father and how much I love him. I’m in the process of saving my blog and printing it out so that he’ll have it when he’s older. It’s one of the things that I feel strongly about, having no record of the lives of my grandparents or even my parents. My father, bless him, is working on a memoir, which will include lots about our family, which probably won’t be a best seller, but will be priceless to us!
This is a very compelling post. Not terribly unlike another post I read recently
I’m afraid I would find it hard to keep blogging if I had no readers. I love the interaction with them.
I guess im the only way that thinks this is a partly shameless post on your point to boost ego?!
i read your blog from time to time when im bored but i always believed blogging should be something thats done for yourself not for the pleasure of others.
Id love an anonymous blog which i could use to actually talk about the things going on in my head but you have to be careful because then the wrong people read it
you won’t stop blogging for a very long time that’ a cert thou
I’ve not been a reader of yours for very long, but I would definitely miss your posts if you decided to “get your coat and piss off home”, as it were!
I agree with you about putting things to bed properly.
I hate it when bloggers go AWOL for months and then return like nothing’s happened, or if they stop blogging altogether without some form of “signing off”. Many a time I have returned to a blog I like only to find that their most recent post is now 3 months old and I have no idea whether it’s just a temporary hiatus or if the project is just being left to pickle in its own juices… Do I write it off as dead? Should I check back later? Should I nudge the blogger with an email? Or, is s/he ill/missing/dead etc?… Who knows?
IMHO, if you’re going to open the door to people and invite them to share in your experiences via blogging, you should at least be a courteous enough host to escort them back through the door and see them off right when it’s time to go.