Sometimes I scratch my head and wonder what to do about this blog. My other blogs have a much more narrow purpose, so they tend to be updated more frequently (although that isn’t always the case). The folks who read those blogs do so because they get something out of the content that I’m not sure they would if I hadn’t focused the content. In that regard, my most popular blog (and most frequently updated blog) is my education blog. Most people hit upon my Harry Potter blog looking for something particular, but I have few regular readers and no real regular commenters (which does not bother me, by the way). My genealogy blog has a core readership consisting of other genealogy bloggers. I have a blog for students that I think is mostly limited to their readership.
Sometimes I get really busy, and the blogs fall by the wayside. When that happens, the priority tends to be to focus on the education blog. This blog and the genealogy blog in particular are often victims of my lack of time. I know that it costs me readers, but I had to decide a long time ago whether that bothered me or not, and with this blog in particular, I decided it didn’t. I know a few people who don’t understand why I blog, and if they read only this one, I have to admit that they probably have a point. But this blog is a nice place for me to put stuff I don’t think fits elsewhere. I don’t have any real desire to completely delete this blog, but I hope everyone understands the reasons it isn’t frequently updated. I think if this blog had more “purpose” aside from serving as a place for me to review books, I would probably update it more frequently. I know having a purpose for my other blogs really helps in that regard.
I chose the title of this blog from the first line of a poem by Emily Dickinson that reads:
Much madness is divinest sense
To a discerning eye;
Much sense the starkest madness.
‘Tis the majority
In this, as all, prevails.
Assent, and you are sane;
Demur, — you’re straightway dangerous,
And handled with a chain.
In the sense that this blog is such a hodge podge — or more truthfully, and unfocused mess — I thought it was a good title. I was essentially saying that it wouldn’t be like other blogs, and it might not make sense, but maybe a few people would get something out of it sometimes.
I like blogging. I like having connections to people all over the world. I know some people think it’s weird, but I have to accept that it’s OK if a few people I don’t know all that well think I’m weird.
[tags]blogging, direction, purpose[/tags]
It's okay – we're here to listen when you blog and hang out when you don't – that's the beauty of it – you don't HAVE to say anything to keep readers who want to read about your thoughts and stuff – just be you – the rest will come.. whenever it does..
OK, I confess, I check your blog at the least three times a week. I know I don't comment, but I like the laid back hodge podge.
Don't give it up – just do it as and when – sometimes things do not need a 'purpose' they just 'are'.
Oh, I don't have any intention of quitting altogether. I just wonder sometimes what I'm really doing with this space.
Dana
Widening my knowledge.
Dana, I check almost daily, and really enjoy the stuff you post here. I do miss when you would update regularly, but then I suppose our lives change, and that's the beauty of blogs. You do what you want, when you want. It's probably a reason *I* have never stepped online to blog. I just don't have the time, energy or desire to "have" to post something. I was thinking of doing the 365 days thing on Flickr, but again, I doubt I would keep up with it. I find this all very strange, since I'm online EVERY day for work, and check blogs daily. Why wouldn't the same apply for my own thoughts? I'd be sad if you went, since you're one of the more "intellectual" of blogs I have come across.
Please keep blogging here, Dana. You add something to the blogosphere and our lives.
Long live Much Madness!