Because I need to regulate
My comments and my views,
Reluctantly I have to state
In future I will choose,
To visit, and to comment on,
The blogs that now and then
Leave evidence, my posts upon,
That one’s been read again.
This choice is not an easy one,
Some blogs I really love;
To comment on them is great fun,
But, if push comes to shove,
I may well read them – lower down
Priorities I list –
But comments there I won’t jot down:
They likely won’t be missed.
I blog to read, admittedly,
But also like to tell
From evidence that I can see
That I am read as well;
The message, otherwise, is rough –
A writer I admire
Does not enjoy my stuff enough,
To read it, to aspire.
So if you find that I am not
In evidence no more
On blogs I used to haunt a lot –
Becoming quite a bore? –
You’ll gain me back if once or twice
You show you’ve had a read;
And criticism or advice
Will also, here, succeed!
(I decided not to follow the NaPoWriMo prompt for today, because I would rather put out this message – but it is just as easy to do in rhyme!)
Forthcoming Attraction:
This shows a ‘before’ picture of the little task of recovering a mountain and a river upon which I am currently engaged.
© Colonialist April 2013 (WordPress)
Colonialist's Blog 
There are exceptions to the rule, but I appreciate having a ‘like’ button on a blog to show a blogger that I was indeed there, and that I did indeed read the post. Comments aren’t left for several reasons- either I didn’t like or understand a piece for whatever reason, or couldn’t verbalize an intelligent opinion (usually the case here), or I didn’t have time to comment that day, but wanted to show the blogger that I visited. I read your posts because I’m learning from an experienced writer. I’m a smart gal, but I’ve got to admit that many posts go over my head, and I’m intimidated to comment. Then, by the time I finish reading the previous comments to mine, I feel like a dope, so I hit ‘like’ to at least let you know I was here. I sensed that ‘Nice!’ wouldn’t cut it here; now I wonder if only intellectual snobs are welcome.
LikeLike
Thanks for such a frank and useful comment!
I do tend to get rather obscure with puns and manipulations of words, and it is good for me to be brought down to earth a bit.
A ‘duh!’ or ‘what are you on about?’ would not be taken amiss!
The trouble with ‘like’ is that it doesn’t really prove the post has been more than glanced at – at least, not until one has come to know that blogger as being one who does have a genuine interest. On the other hand, repeated ‘likes’ on posts do serve such purpose.
LikeLike
Thanks for that. I look forward to your rhymes, so please continue to sprinkle them in when you can. :0)
LikeLike
Pingback: MOTIVES FOR BLOGGING | Colonialist's Blog
I agree with Optie, col – your rhymes always do the trick – not sure I always have something to say back though, hmmm…quotes? cat tales? meeps?
LikeLike
Wow, you have opened a can of worms!
I can understand very successful blogs that get thousands of comments, not responding, but I think the average blogger should try comment love.
I feel we need a “read” button, sometimes I read a whole post, but don’t know how to comment.
LikeLike
The rhyme’s the thing, wherein to catch the conscience of …..a blogger. (Curses. you would have a rhyme for that).
LikeLike
Col your sentiments match my own
though it’s not like you to have a moan
your posts always seem to recharge my flagging battery
so please regard this comment as the sincerest form of flattery 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! Actually, I started the blog to whinge and whine, and then it went and cheered up on me. Anyway, this post was more letting the affected people know why I have stopped my ‘likes’ and comments on their posts.
LikeLike
In some ways that’s what it’s all about really!!
LikeLike
To a lot of us, anyway. On a mind over matter viewpoint, those that won’t mind, don’t matter.
LikeLike
Read this yesterday and was not going to comment…but çhanged my mind.
I’ll bet half the names on my blogroll hardly ever pitch…and many just click like…and we all know there are bloggers who do the whole blog whore thing.
I look at someone like AD…geez she gets bizillions of visitors and comments and I have no doubt she reciprocates.
I just don’t have the inclination let alone the time. She seems like a blogging machine.
I can”t help it if i don’t like the content of a particular blogger even if they continue to visit my site regularly.
Some of your stuff is great, I enjoy it a lot, especially your grammar lessons and related material. I even save some of them. My favorite was the one on hyphens and dash’s.
But not all of it resonates with me. I take the same attitude toward my own stuff and never try to please everyone.
I read everything of John Zande. I enjoy his style. Other loyal bloggers I just don”t get their stuff at all.
Even some of Kalinka’s posts go over my head…
Tis life.
LikeLike
I have stupidly going to every post I can of the ones I have followed, until it struck me how few of them ever visit apart from the first one that hooked me in the first place. I certainly wouldn’t expect everyone to like, or even view, all of my posts. The occasional evidence of an intelligent interest is nice, though.
LikeLike
Well, I follow your blog and it comes up in my reader. I normally go through this first before clicking. If something takes my fancy, I’ll go read it all. And usually once I am there i will leave a comment. Although me and my spam record half don;t even get on the first page! Which makes it pretty hopeless.
Honestly, I would be happier if no one read the blog but half who popped over bought the book,
just to spread the word. I would be happy as a pig in a poke and all the blogs could go whoosh..
LikeLike
I find sometimes that I don’t know what to leave as a comment, I think you get kind of bored every time I compliment your writing because you get a lot of it. But you’re right, it’s not nice when you read someone’s blog all the time and it seems like they never take the time to read yours.
Eagerly awaiting the finished product of the task your current task
LikeLike
I don’t mind HOW many times I get complimented as long as I think it is sincere. Vanity, vanity!
At the same time, I actually appreciate constructive criticism, (or even, ‘There is something about this I don’t really like; not sure what.’) but most people are nervous about giving it.
LikeLike
How about if I am sincere about “liking”, but don’t know exactly why?
LikeLike
Fair enough, but there is usually SOMETHING one can pinpoint as being a likely reason. I think the key to a good comment is to include some reference to the content, to show one isn’t a ‘butterfly-liker’ who settles just long enough to click the button before flitting off.
LikeLike
Recovering a mountain? And a river? Good luck Col!!!
And I completely agree with you on the commenting thing – bottom line, if you can’t be bothered to read me, why on earth should I bother to read you?
It sometimes grates my nuts when I see somebody that’s followed me for whatever reason, ALWAYS comment on somebody else’s stuff, but never even “likes”: one of mine.
I have lots of other blogs to read, of people that does read me, and even if I have nothing to add, I will like the post – just to show I’ve been there.
LikeLike
I have tended to go against my principle of showing visits by a comment, and only putting a ‘like’ when I think the post is exceptional. So few people seem to play it that way that I think it becomes misunderstood.
Anyway, I am going to drop the ones I enjoy but who never visit, except for those I particularly like where I shall flit silently in and out.
LikeLike
It’s a funny dilemma…..sometimes it doesn’t bother me that folk don’t comment, and then sometimes I feel pissed off when I’ve put lots of effort into writing a piece and all it gets is likes. I suppose it depends how I’m feeling….and that’s true of me reading and commenting on others blogs too, but it sounds like this has built to a head for you….and is decision time!
LikeLike
It has, and is.
Of course the human element comes into it, too. Often I will do a piece of which I am truly proud, and it gets hardly any attention, and then some silly little doggerel has a spate of visits, likes and comments. *shrugs*
LikeLike
The world, even the blogging world, is a funny place 🙂
LikeLike
Bring on the forthcoming attraction 🙂
LikeLike
You’ve just HAD it with the rhyme bit? OK, OK! I’m starting to feel the same way.
LikeLike
Found yours via Gerry’s in case you wonder who on earth or what on earth I am.
I do read a few blogs where I don’t comment. If I comment once or twice and receive neither a reply no a visit, then I don’t waste my time in future. I think there needs to be some reciprocity, but others think differently. If someone pays me the courtesy of frequent comments, then I try to do the same. It’s hardly difficult.
I don’t necessarily keep up with all new posts (thanks Reader for being so inefficient) so sometimes I’ll have a session of back-reading.
The short version of my comment is – I agree with your entertainingly worded opinion.
LikeLike
One may read posts simply for enjoyment, but it seems pointless to comment and sprinkle with ‘likes’ when the blogger fails to darken one’s doorstep, ever. I find this a pity, because some of those bloggers are ones I would value a reaction from on my own writing. I suppose lack of any evidence of visits means that they don’t like it.
LikeLike
Quite.
LikeLike
Yeah, know the feeling Col and I felt like this many times, but if I have to do the same then I will have to take off more than half of the blogs I follow. What I did notice however was that some bloggers only visit my blog once just to let me know they are there and then they go silent. Sometimes you’ll see a “like” now and then but never a comment after that. I decided not to let it bother me. Some people have more time to blog and comment than others and with some I get the feeling they don’t really like me but they want to follow me to see what I post. LOL!
Some days I have too much to do as well in and around the house and other days I have my “dark days” (Hope will know what I am talking about) and then I only “like” the posts and some days like today I take the day off and go for a good visit on the blogs and comment where I think my comment would mean something. Some don’t even bother to reply back. I don’t take it personally. I love the blogs I follow and I love seeing and reading what they have to offer. If they can’t return the favour, tough luck I say. Their loss, not mine. So yeah, their loss if they miss your beautiful rhymes and lovely photo’s. Can’t wait to see the “after” shot. Don’t work too hard. 🙂 *hugs*
LikeLike
Some people seem to collect followers as trophies, and that is really all they are interested in. Is it really worth bothering with them? I’d prefer to have far fewer friends who genuinely enjoy what I put out.
LikeLike
Indeed Col. Seems it’s like some kind of competition for them. Just like on Facebook and to answer your question : No, it’s really not worth bothering with them. I only follow blogs I like and not because they follow me and I agree with you, better to spend your time with the ones that do enjoy what you put out. Have a great day! *hugs*
LikeLike
I’m assuming we will be seeing the “after” picture too. As far as the rhyme goes, I often feel the same.
LikeLike
The ‘after’ pictures may take a while – it is proving a mammoth task!
LikeLike
I hope I’m one of the lucky ones you’ll keep commenting on 😉
LikeLike
Not lucky, no. A faithful follower whose posts I enjoy – why would I not?
LikeLike
i completely understand your decision, Col. Time is so dear, and I believe the best part of blogging is a little bit of dialogue. If I’m the only one talking, it isn’t nearly as much fun for me either! 🙂 I am finding I need to make a similar decision. You just said it with more more creativity! 🙂
LikeLike
I actually expressed a similar intention quite a while back, but I didn’t stick to it. I shall now, though.
LikeLike
Waiting for the after picture.
LikeLike
Hopefully there will be some progress pictures as well as ‘after’ ones.
LikeLike
Well . . . I’ll be more vocal when all this rhyming stops, and less structured prose haunts these posts once again.
LikeLike
Of course, rhyming has always been something I DO, but I think it has become really overdone of late! I will enjoy launching into some regular writing. My current work-in-progress novels have been suffering, too.
LikeLike
I quite understand the Time Debit
That’s created this pickle you’re in
And would have given extra credit
If a Terza Rima this had been
LikeLike
As you will see, from recent comments on your post, I have figured out why the form doesn’t really suit me. I really do like writing completely rhyming verse – even do it with haiku! – and in the classical form the Terza Rima is almost impossible to do that with.
LikeLike
Hahahaha *straight face* Killroy was here
Now isn’t she a dear?
PS
Do comment have to be in rhyme?
LikeLike
Dear indeed!
That is entirely optional!
LikeLike
But I agree with you. I don’t always have something to say, and I realize too the ‘like’ does not necessarily mena that somebody read you post. But when I have something to add, sometimes even a smile when it is funny, I like to know the blogger reads me too.
It is only human sic.
And I dislike it when somebody ignores my comments.
LikeLike
I like to see the occasional comment (not on every post, unless they really want to) which also gives some evidence of an intelligent read. ‘Nice!’ doesn’t cut that mustard.
LikeLike
Nice!!!!!
LikeLike
Grrrrrr …
LikeLike