Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Why Do We Blog Survey

New Addition.

Trish, from Love, Laughter, and a Touch of Insanity, posted this survey on Sunday. I am a bit slow on getting around to reading it, but I thought I would answer her questions on my own blog.

1. How long have you been blogging?
December 16, 2005. So, almost 6 years! I might even acknowledge my blogiversary this year. Normally by this point in December I get quiet, but I am doing pretty good on the blogging front.

2. Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging because Marg started blogging. We had met through other means, but she started blogging in November and suggested it to me. It seemed fun, so I followed suit.

3. What have you found to be the benefits of blogging?
The most important reason of all is friendships. I was double-checking my blog anniversary date and it got me reading some older posts. This lead to reading the comments and I got a bit sad when I came to people that have stopped blogging or have gotten quiet in the community. They were some of my favourite people. I know that every so often I will come across an old comment from Dewey and that always makes me pause. I know so many wonderful people. There have been bloggers around since I started, or even before, and we still visit each others blogs. Then, there have been all the wonderful bloggers that have come around since. I know the best people because of blogging and I love all of you! You make everything special.

4. How many times a week do you post an entry?
It really depends. In November and December, so far, I have posted almost everyday. This will not last. I am just not reading, so why not blog...

5. How many different blogs do you read on a regular basis?
Yeah, I read a lot of blogs. I have my 'Must Reads', though. I am not sure how many there are. I was actually making my way through them when I got distracted by this survey of Trish's.

6. Do you comment on other people's blogs?
I try! Sometimes I do really good, but other times I get very very far behind and find myself just skimming through posts.

7. Do you keep track of how many visitors you have?
Nope. I used to, but I found I don't really care about the numbers. I am happy that people take the time to visit and that is enough for me.

8. Do you ever regret a post you wrote?
um, not so much regret as worry. I know when I wrote my review of Love Times Three last week, for example, I was a bit worried about it. I didn't want to offend anyone. Sometimes my opinions on things show through. I have always tried to leave politics and religion off my blog, but sometimes I can't help saying something once in a while.

9. Do you think your audience has a true sense of who you are based on your blog?
hm... That's an interesting question. What do my readers think? I do have moments where I get personal, but generally I try to remain 'all business'. There have been moments where that was unavoidable, though. When my dog died, I was very caught up in that, so I blogged about it. When I go through periods of silence, I blog about why and usually it is personal reasons. And, I would like to think that my thoughts on books and other things gives an impression of who I am. That being said, I don't always know who I am. I swore up and down that I wouldn't get a cat because I hate litter boxes and yet here we are with a cat....

10. Do you blog under your real name?
Nope. I still use Kailana, but most people know it is really Kelly. I actually was considering changing it to Kelly, but it is a common name and this keeps me original and makes it easier to not get confused.

11. Are there topics that you would never blog about?
Well, I said this above, but basically I try not to talk too much about religion or politics. I can't really say never, though, because I know that these topics have leaked into my posts over the years. It happens.

12. What is the theme/topic of your blog?
I am primarily a book blog, but sometimes I branch out. For a little variety this year I have been blogging about music and television/movies. I think I will probably continue that into 2012.

13. Do you have more than one blog?
Yup. I am one of the bloggers at Historical Tapestry. Once in a while I actually read a historical fiction book and blog about it. 2011 has been a terrible year for historical fiction, though. And, for a bit of time each year I blog at Virtual Advent Tour with Marg to share all the goodies that people post during the month of December.

19 comments:

  1. I know just what you mean about reading the comments to old posts and getting sad sometimes. So many people that I miss. But I'm of course also infinitely grateful for the friends who are still around, like you.

    Wow, 6 years! That's amazing. If you were near me I'd bake you a bloggiversary cake :P

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  2. Thanks for doing the survey--I love learning what makes everyone tick and I learned a bit through reading this! Can't believe you've been blogging for so long. I'm grateful that many of the bloggers I met at the beginning of my tenure are still around but there are many who I miss. And then of course interests and blogs change...

    And I can understand wanting to distiguish yourself through your blogging name. There are several other Trishs, even though I'm usually the only one, and people sometimes get us confused. I'd be interested in knowing how Kailana came about, though!

    And sweet kitty! Did you ever come up with a name?

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  3. Six years! That's pretty amazing. I love that you book bloggers blazed the trail for those of us who started only a couple years ago.

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  4. Pretty kitty! I love that color of grey :)

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  5. My blogging motivations change and continue to change but I enjoy it so much because of all the wonderful people I've met.

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  6. I LOVE this survey! I might have to give it a try myself but it's so interesting to know why you went into blogging and how things have changed and what you get out of it. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. This was an interesting post. I'll admit that I'm WAY behind in my blog reading so I hadn't even seen Trish's post yet :) But it was fun to see your answers!

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  8. I know what you mean about reading old posts. It makes me sad because hardly any of the commenters still blog. Things have changed so much over the years.

    I didn't realise your real name was Kelly. :-)

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  9. This is really interesting, thanks for filling it out! Also, you've been around since almost the earliest days which is pretty cool!

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  10. Congrats on your "new addition". Lovely coloring. I hope the adoption is all going well thus far.

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  11. Very nice post. I know what u mean about looking thru old posts. It's sad to see some fav bloggers no longer blogging. It always amazes me the great blogging friends I've made over the years.

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  12. Anonymous3:28 PM

    fun and informative. so glad you did this survey! i enjoyed it.

    ~L

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  13. I'm behind on reading your posts, but I love that you posted this. I'm going to answer the same questions as it's always interesting to not only think about why we blog ourselves, but also to see why other people blog as well.

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  14. Wow, 6 years! that is truly inspirational! My favorite thing about blogging is all the wonderful people I've gotten to interact with. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's the truth.

    and what a wonderful survey, I might have to "borrow" it later in December.

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  15. I've been blogging since 2005, too! I think we may be two of the "older" bloggers on the block. I am glad you're still around :-)

    I don't post much personal on my blog, either. I am OK with that, though. I want it to be a book journal, and I think based on the way I write and react to things, people have a general idea of my opinions on things, but maybe not such a GREAT idea of just how strong my opinions really are ;-) But I am in great contact with a lot of bloggers, and I think they know me pretty well.

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  16. Great post! I really enjoyed reading your responses to the survey. While we all have some similar reasons for blogging, it is nice to see the individual responses!

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  17. Great answers. I know what you mean when you look back at old posts and realize that you haven't talked to certain bloggers in ages. There's a few people that I miss too from the earlier days.

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  18. What an interesting survey. I enjoyed reading your answers ... 6 years is a long time in blogging!!! Congrats on that1

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  19. What an interesting survey (and answers of course!) I might just have to pinch this thing myself. ;)

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