Monday, April 09, 2007

Dipping my toe in the water

Blogs seem to be the new 'must have' accessory: like a cell phone, a Blackberry, and a Facebook page. I have a cell phone (which I seldom use), can't think I'd have any practical use for a Blackberry, and have no inclination whatever to start a Facebook page, so it looks as if blogging it will be. I've considered—and rejected—the idea of a blog in the past; so why should today be any different? To which my only answer is: why not? There's a wonderful passage in Isabel Colegate's The Shooting Party when a young child asks her grandfather why he is always writing in his 'big black notebook', to which the grandfather replies, 'It's my Game Book. Well, part of it is my Game Book. Part of it is my thoughts. It's not a bad idea to get into the habit of writing down one's thoughts. It saves one having to bother anyone else with them.'

So this will be a place for me to write down my thoughts: all those random musings, comments, questions, and general ideas to which I'm prone. I used to keep a diary, regularly, for many years, but have rather fallen out of the habit, so don't expect daily postings; rather, I'll jot down thoughts as they come to me, as long as they're thoughts which I think will be of some interest to others. I love books and films, and read a lot of the former and watch (or re-watch) a lot of the latter, so expect a fair few comments—even the occasional full-fledged review—on what I've been reading or watching lately, or books and films that I've enjoyed in the past.

Okay: let's get this show on the road!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Barbara,
Let me be the first one to leave a comment. I wish you every success with Northwest Passages.
Are thee comments public or private?
md

Barbara Roden said...

Thanks, MD. The comments are public, and can be read by anyone, although there might be a way to delete them. I expect to be puzzling my way round the intricacies of the blog for a while, so bear with me!

strantzas said...

Congratulations, Barbara!

Yes, you can indeed delete comments, have no fear, but you can only edit your own.

My only advice for the new blogger is to decide upon a schedule that works for you (eg. weekly) otherwise you'll find, after the initial thrill wears off, months will pass between entries.

Scott Monty said...

Barbara,

Welcome to the blogosphere! I applaud your toe-dipping and encourage you to continue. While it may seem slow at first, you'll see the activity pick up along the way. It's truly a Long Tail phenomenon.

If you would like any advice or suggestions on features or technical components of blogging, please feel free to be in touch.

My one bit of advice: comment, comment, comment on other blogs.