Why would anyone come to read my blog Over Coffee? Or any blog for that matter?
The question was the first in my blogging class homework assignment, and it has kept me wondering for the past two weeks. Why indeed?
Why read my blog? For the same reasons I read those similar to mine, I suppose. I read them for:
- Stories I can relate to.
- The art work, occasional tips or tutorials.
- Upbeat approach to life without being overbearing.
- A comfy place to come and listen and look.
- A sense of community and conversation.
- A safe environment to think, maybe widen my perceptions, apply a new technique or principle to my life or to my own art(s).
- An invitation to participate, to share a thought.
Over Coffee is a place to tell my stories in order to remind my readers of their own. Then invite them, encourage them, to share those stories in the comment section, or perhaps on their own blogs, as a post. I want my readers to leave feeling validated, so they’ll come back.
Today I discovered and spent a bit of time in Jane Brocket’s Yarnstorm Blog. Reading it is like sitting with the writer over a cup of steaming tea (hers) and a mug of hot coffee (mine), listening to her tales and walking through her experiences as she shares her thoughts and photos. It’s memoir-like, and fascinating.
Her interests are varied — from books she’s reading and photos she’s taken, to yarns and fabrics she creates with, to foods as an art form, to paintings and the stories they evoke, to her home and family.
She appreciates many things, as might a precocious child full of wonder, and she writes well about all of them.
I created this painting from a blank canvas using Painter X, playing with various brushes in the program just to see what they would do. I called it Fabrics and Trims — but maybe there’s a yarn or too in the mix.
It’s a snowy, blustery day in northern Ohio. Thank you for coming by.
Please help yourself to coffee (there are chocolates in the Old World treasure box), and tell me, What do you look for (want to find) in a blog? Can you add to my list?
Barb
More paintings in my galleries…
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Barb,
I run out of time reading blogs. I have many rss’d (including yours) that I enjoy reading. I love wedding photography and have a few marked that are spectacular. I also read 2 that combine photos and poetry. Reading the above makes me decide that what I look for in a blog is some JOY and those that give me something to THINK about.
Carol
I am so glad you found my blog so I could find yours! What a delight. I will be spending time with you! Stay warm, Barb.
Lisa
Greetings, Barb!
How does your writing come across so calm and soothing…when you love coffee too??? Quite the conundrum -
Your list covered many of my blog reading reasons, so I thought I would flesh out what I like in the “community” or “participation” areas you mentioned. I have two bloggers I read often – One is a woman really beginning to know herself, becoming bolder and surer, and more confident — but with grace on her lips as she is a tender-hearted and caring person. The second struggles with her addictions, yet has faith in God and support from face-to-face meeting friends and blog friends. I like these snapshots that reflect the real world of growing and changing and the seasons of our lives… Thank you for presenting this, and giving me an opportunity to share. Blessings on your week,
Joyful and thought-provoking… yep. I agree. That’s a big part of what I look for too, Carol.
Sharon, I too like an atmosphere of positive growth and change throughout our lives. Your description of the one woman “with grace on her lips” is quite beautiful and poetic, as is all of your writing. I’d like to read these two blogs, if they’re public.
Thank you both for commenting.
Thank you too, Lisa. I’m glad too that I found your blog and hope others will visit, who appreciate drawings with watercolor wash. You give just enough story to intrique…
Hi Barba,
Just stopping by for a cup of coffee. I wish!
So it’s snowing there already – we had some flakes this morning. The thing I mind is the heat bill.
I like that painting you did here – looks like ti was fun to work on.
I read quite a lot of different types of blogs and I love the uplifting ones like yours. Plus the added bonus of beautiful art
I read art blogs with awe at the beauty people can create.
I read photography blogs with awe at the beauty of our world.
I read mental illness blogs with empathy.
I read baby blogs with lots of pictures, what could be better?
I read your blog and find a bit of peace in my soul
Thank you!
Anita
I have begun to associate your blog with that wonderful early morning feeling, when you wake up, sniff the morning air and wonder what you are going to do today and what excitements the day holds. I find your blog joyful and life affirming. I know I have described it like that elsewhere, but those two words just sum it up. It makes me think and inspires me to be creative too.
Not to mention of course that I am a coffeeholic! I just love coffee.
Adele, that painting WAS fun to do. All sorts of brushes and colors, and when this showed up, I laughed out loud and called it done.
I used to have fabrics and trims galore — because I sewed everything, including purses and book bags for the kids, curtains, everything.
Then my girls outgrew my whimsy and I turned to other things as well. It’s only been the last few years that I sought out some painting classes. The sewing machine is hiding somewhere in the depths of my closet. Ha!
Thanks for stopping by for coffee.
Anita, I shared your comment with my husband, and he thinks you express yourself very well. (I agree.) Thanks for your words — your blog-reading reasons really touched me.
Hi Valerie. Thank you so much. Wow. My next post could have come off your comment here. Creative — and when you read the Genn newsletter, if you don’t already subscribe to it, I just bet the Purple Owl may have a thought or two.
Hi Barb,
Your painting is just wonderful – all those clear colours. Why do I blog? I think I learn a lot from the blogs I visit and that helps me on my artistic path. Also a sense of community with like-minded people.
Thank you for visiting, Ms. Quirky Artist.
I think too, that reading others’ blog posts quickens the creative thinking any artist must practice. And community is vital…
I like your avatar!