SubscribePride (In The Name Of Love) - U2
Today marks the end of another NaBloPoMo for me. Although my archives don't reflect it, I have now done this three years in a row. (My first year is from my old blog, some of whose posts were not ported over.) As such, I have chosen to take some time to reflect. (As an aside, when all is said and done I will have, by virtue of my Monday to Friday regimen, posted for 40 days straight thanks to November starting and ending on a weekend.)
Looking back over the past month's posts, I have to admit to being pleased with the results. For the past few months, I have struggled to work out what I felt were kinks in my process, particularly with the voice I write in and the way I present some stories. Now, with a month of dedicated posting in my rear view mirror, I feel like I'm finding myself as a blogger. For the first time since I started writing regularly nearly two and a half years ago, I feel like my blog is an accurate reflection of me. (For what it's worth, you have no idea how difficult it is for me to admit this publicly; I'm not terribly good with praise, whether it's from others or myself.)
I'm also content with the blog design. I rushed out the original template (black background with forest green and violet) because of the reboot and while it was OK, it never felt good. When I did the big redesign almost a year later, it felt like an improvement, but not ideal. As I tweaked and played, I found myself taking off a lot of the excess "stuff" and going for a simpler, arguably "cleaner" appearance. It's not minimalist, but then again neither am I.
I took a lot of direction from the reviews over at Ask And Ye Shall Receive (warning: they are not the kindest of souls if they dislike something or someone), and secretly I want to submit my blog for review. However, the concept of having my blog reviewed feels contrary to my personal approach to blogging. I blog for me, what I want to share and write about. (Yes, I blog for comments; anyone who blogs and says they don't care about the interaction comments provide is lying. If you don't want blog comments, just get yourself a fucking diary.)
Having a reviewer come by and either pat me on the head and say, "Your template is good, but your content bores me," or "I fucking love you," won't change anything about how I blog or what I write about, or at least it shouldn't. As I said above, I've struggled with what I'm writing here for a while now, and I feel like I'm in a good place with this blog, so why would I want to take the risk of having someone tell me that the last few months of introspection has produced an inferior end result? Logically, there is no reason to take that risk, yet for reasons I cannot properly articulate, I feel compelled to take that risk. Perhaps it's my need for approval. (Yes, SciFi Dad loathes praise yet seeks approval. I'm an enigma wrapped in a riddle wrapped in a t-shirt covered with spit-up stains.) I really don't know.
What say you, dedicated Sunday post reader? Do you like the look of the blog? Have you even noticed a shift in the content or writing style in recent months? Do you like the new approach, or do you miss something I have cast aside? And do you think I should succumb and submit my blog for review?
13 shared their side:
Like you mentioned, the review wouldn't change anything so why bother. If it's good, then yay. But if it's not good, even if you say it won't, it will probably get under your skin. Not worth the aggravation in my opinion.
Plus, I'm here and that's all that matters. :)
I happen to like the look of your blog and I like the variety of your writing content. As far as submitting your blog, I think that if it isn't going to change things in the end, then why do it? I think if it's something you really want to do then eventually you will do it. You have to keep in mind that it's a matter of opinion and who is giving it. What it comes down to, in my mind anyways, is who's opinion counts to you?
I think you got a great thing going on here and regardless of what you change on here, I will be back.
I like your blog and especially the new design Scifi. Just being yourself is all that a reader can ask for. If they don't like it they can always find another blog.
I'm sticking around anyway! I get on reader, so I don't even get to see the hard work you put into layout (unless I click through and leave a comment).
Keep on, keeping on!
I've always been tempted by AAYSR and I'm just too chicken-shit to do it. I don't really want to be torn apart that badly.
And as for YOUR blog? I think you're fantastic.
I like your layout/look. But, I'm here for the writing.
I'd never heard of that site, but now I'm reading it and it's hilarious.
Go for it! Submit. I'd love to read what they say. But, only if you have a really thick skin. I'd never, but I don't have a terribly thick skin.
If you do - please link to it :)
I personally wouldn't submit my blog for review. I'm happy with my blog and that's what matters to me. But if it's something you want to do, be it curiosity or interest in a critique, then do it. I just think, with sites like that, you're getting more slam and less genuine critique.
I like it, and I appreciate your help with my redesign recently!
I submitted for the Ask & Receive site a couple months ago and was planning a redesign eventually, but when they mentioned the template, I figured it'd be a good segue into the move. Coincidentally, I'd already started working with Real Life Designs on a new header and URL.
Congrats on so many years of writing and on finding your voice! I've had journals since 1984 but didn't start blogging until I went to war. I loved it, so I started a "daddy blog" when I got back a few months ago. Hope to still be at it in 3 years, too.
I'm so glad that this past month has been so useful for you. Feel free to be narcissitic more often. I think your content is great. I like the design, but I am one of those people that hardly notices the design of a blog, except when it is too overcrowded. I think the black, white, and red color scheme really stands out. The first time I came her, I had to read "Reviews From the Dad Side" twice because of the font size and the shadow, and my crappy vision, but I figured it out immediately.
You know I love reading your blog. I know you well and we talk a lot about what we feel as parents and as people, but it is sometimes nice to read it too :)
You know I am in love with your new header--I love that photo.
It's very challenging to write every day on a blog--you were up to the challenge and I personally think you did an amazing job.
I'm here for the content, but I'm a mommy so I do love all the photos, but then you know that.
I like clean more simple blog designs like this purely because I'm inpatient. I can't be arsed to sit half the day waiting for a page to load because of all the ads and widgets.
And we like what you do, you like what you do so I don't think there is any point in setting yourself up for a bollicking.
I dig it. I like the Spidey font.
Since I don't write for myself, I take the opinions of others into consideration quite a bit, but good for you for being able to step back and see your voice coming out in your writing.
Of course, I post every single day and think it's funny when people have such trouble posting for 30 (or 40) whole straight days in a row.
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