Ken Wilson was right (as usual). “The decision to blog is fraught with doubt – e.g. is it an act of pure narcissism? Put thoughts like that to one side – the public will decide”
It’s an issue that has been bothering me for some time and it is why I arrive with some trepidation at the gates of the blogosphere (does the blogosphere have gates?).
I have outlined my doubts below and attempted to address them as best I can. This exercise may just be one of pure catharsis, but it serves to assure me that my motivations are well-intentioned and allows me to keep myself in check. The fact these ‘justifications’ are out there, makes them tangible I feel. Only when I feel I’ve worked out my hesitations with this medium, will I then let myself loose on the unsuspecting internet.
1. Who are you to blog? Is anybody bothered about what you have to say and will they read your blog anyway?
These questions are the ones which have concerned me the most. What right do I have to throw my opinions out there into the wider world? I started to look for some of the other blogs that are out there, not just in English Language Teaching (ELT), but across all subjects. Let me just say, and it probably comes as no surprise, but there is some weird s**t out there! People really do write about anything and everything. Some of it is well-written, some of it not. As we know, the internet has given us the all the opportunity to be writers, to throw our ideas, dreams and concerns out for public consumption and criticism. As such, much of the quality is diluted, both in terms of subject matter and style. However it remains up to the reader to choose what they will and will not consume. So, my internal monologue went something like this: You have as much right as anyone else to share what is important to you and you should do so with gusto and pride! All you should do is write. Write for the creative, academic and emotional satisfaction – for nothing but the need to write. If people feel the need to read, then be honoured. If they don’t, do not feel hurt.
LESSON 1: You should ‘just write’ and not be deterred by no visitors.
2. Isn’t the ELT blog arena a saturated market already?
With so many well-respected names and blogs out there, it’s nerve-wracking trying to compete. But this is my mistake isn’t it? It’s not a competition. Internal monologue: Nobody else is you and nobody else has the same things to say as you; the same opinions; the same sense of humour and the same priorities. So your take will always be unique won’t it?
LESSON 2: You’re unique and your output will therefore also be so.
3. Isn’t this a narcissistic act of self-promotion?
If it were about promoting myself, yes I would agree. Personally I come as a newbie to the blogosphere with nothing to sell and an underinflated sense of my own self-importance. Internal monologue: As long as you keep yourself in check and remain passionate about what you write, this won’t get a look-in.
LESSON 3: If you’re concerned about it being narcissistic, it probably isn’t.
4. What are the rules of blogging and how should I conduct myself in this new role as ‘blogger’?
Beware the blog police. Read around and it seems they are out in full force, drawing up constitutions by which the blogging community must live. They tell me I have to find a niche and write about it, or my readers won’t be interested. My blog has to be laid out in the right way because my readers read from left to right across the page and then down in an “F” pattern – I have to ensure my titles and subheadings are all appropriately formatted. I should be professional, not cutesy. To the point, never waffling. I should offer my readers a special value so they come back again and again.
So many rules. Well I say “F-pattern” to most of them. Sometimes I will waffle, I shall be cutesy and not at all professional on occasions, and my writing may resemble more of a stream of consciousness than a perfectly-crafted piece of literature. For that I apologise in advance.
So, to the rules – I have just two:
- I will be courteous and will as always treat my fellow teachers, my students, readers and commenters with respect.
- I will not plagiarise and will site intellectual property as far as I’m humanly able.
LESSON 4: Writing is personal
As for my niche – well I’m not sure I’ve found it yet. Like the majority of my peers in the teaching profession, I’m passionate about what I do and I care immensely about my learners and their development. I’m a champion of appropriate technology in the classroom and of creative ways of bringing language learning to life.
This blog will morph into what it is meant to become and that excites me terribly. I want to write for creative expression. I wish to change my world and writing is something I can try in order to make it happen. Writing is personal, social and political. It’s about people. Moreover, it’s about you and me. I look forward to sharing with you and learning from you.
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May 31, 2010 at 00:46
Congratulations, Emma! Glad to see you starting a blog–I look forward to seeing what you have to say
Welcome to the blogosphere!
May 31, 2010 at 14:37
Thank you Barbara
It’s early days but I’m really looking forward to getting it up and running.
And thanks to you for the inspiration I get from your own blog – if it can be half as good as yours, I’ll be happy.
Much love
Emma x
June 2, 2010 at 18:58
I like your attitude…. I had many of the same thoughts…. don’t worry… just do it. Make sure you don’t leave too long between the first few posts… that’s what kills a lot of blogs, but once you get it going momentum will carry you…
June 3, 2010 at 11:13
Very good advice Phil and thank you for commenting. I hadn’t thought about the initial frequency of posts – I had just thought to try and get something up on here as regularly as possible. But I shall take your advice and get scribbling!
All the best
Emma
June 2, 2010 at 19:08
Hi Emma
Congratulations on your first blog post. You have definitely made the right decision! It will be a truly unique experience and one you won’t regret as it will be a great learning curve. Writing down your thoughts and opinions and interacting with other bloggers will provide immense satsifaction.
You have a lovely, engaging style of writing and I am sure many people will be reading your blog. I look forward to reading your future posts.
Best of luck!
Janet
June 3, 2010 at 11:16
Hi Janet,
Thanks for your faith! I hope I can keep up with it – right now getting through the comments seems hard work
I’m looking forward to the learning curve I have to admit – I hope it will a challenge and as you say, provide a great deal of satisfaction.
I look forward to welcoming you back.
Best wishes,
Emma
June 2, 2010 at 19:12
Great inaugural post, Ms. Herrod. I like your style and your rules.
You write well – I can almost hear your voice as I read the lines and this looks like a very promising blog!
Big welcome then from one newb to another
Marisa
June 3, 2010 at 11:22
Thanks Marisa – I hope hearing my voice is a good thing – it can be annoying
Wow – you still consider yourself a newb? Your blog is fantastic – I hope to be as good as you one day!
All the best
Emma
June 2, 2010 at 19:27
Welcome to the blogosphere!
Your blog will probably be mildly narcissistic. Mine is. All of ours are, some more than others!
But just say what you have to say. Send it out there (here)! Can’t do any harm Might give you a lot of pleasure! Mine helps me think! You will probably give others a lot of pleasure!
Have fun!
Jeremy
June 3, 2010 at 17:05
Hi Jeremy
Yes you’re right – I’ve certainly read a few that are highly narcissistic, not too many in ELT fortunately.
I will take your advice and ‘send it out’ there/here but I totally am with you on the ‘thinking’ element. That is exactly why I found doing the guest posts for Ken and Barbara – it helped to consolidate some thoughts I already knew were there. Now they exist in a more coherent form and for others to add to.
Thank you for coming to comment.
Emma
June 2, 2010 at 19:44
Hello Emma!
I’m a relatively new blogger and like you I wondered if it would be a good idea to start blogging. Then, I decided it was and I have a more fluent communication with my colleagues in Twitter, with whom I share my posts and whose posts I read, than with the colleagues of mine I work with.
I like your conversational style, which creates a close relationship between you, the writer, and your readers.
Regards,
Marisa
June 6, 2010 at 12:21
Hi Marisa
YES! absolutely! your point about communication with Twitter is indeed one of the things that spurred me on. 140 characters only gets you so far and sometimes I’m left wondering about a Tweet or something someone says that I would like to respond to. I think blogging satisfies that need perfectly.
I look forward to ‘communicating’ with you more.
All the best,
Emma
June 2, 2010 at 19:58
Hi Emma,
I loved your piece on Ken Wilson’s blog and I was hoping that you did some more blogging, so this is great! I really empathized with your concerns and the lessons learnt, I felt the same, still do in fact.
break a leg!
Willy
June 3, 2010 at 17:08
Hey Willy – I hope my legs will remain fully intact throughout my blogging experience
Thank you for your kind words about the post on Ken’s blog – I just loved writing it and have had so much fun getting this blog up and running (my brother is a web designer and helped me a huge amount with some of the bits and pieces I couldn’t do! Aren’t family great!
Good to know there are others out there who have similar feeling!
Thanks for popping by.
Emma
June 2, 2010 at 20:08
Good luck with your blog, Emma!
June 3, 2010 at 17:09
Thank you Andy – much appreciated!
Emma
June 2, 2010 at 20:11
Em…
You can’t imagine how joyous it was to see the opening words of your blog. Can I use your first sentence as a reference?
Marisa is right that we who know your voice can hear it in your words. But blogs are (hopefully) read by more people than your immediate tweet posse and conference chums, so the good news is that you write fluently and cogently, and people who don’t know you will also enjoy your posts and come back looking for more.
And I echo Mr Bird’s words that you should scatter blogposts like confetti for the first few weeks, it seems to be what the punters want.
More power to your elbow. No idea what that means but it seems aposite.
And if you want the blogosphere to have gates, who is going to contradict you?
June 5, 2010 at 19:18
Of course Ken – feel free to use the opening line as and when it’s appropriate!
I have you principally to thank for making it thus far. Your blog is an inspiration, however ‘new’ you might be to the ‘sphere.
As I said to Phil, very good advice about the frequency of posts. Looks like I’m going to be a busy ol’ bee these next few weeks.
Emma
June 2, 2010 at 20:17
All the best from me too:-) And enjoy blogging. It’s great fun.
)
(says the “expereinced” blogger whose blog started a whole 3 months before yours
June 5, 2010 at 19:20
Hey Even, and thank-you for leaving a comment.
Has your blog only been going for three months? I really enjoy your posts and always come away with something new. I must make more time to comment on the blogs that I read.
I will see you over on yours again soon
Emma
June 2, 2010 at 20:22
Emma,
I am muchly excited about this little venture of yours. As a ‘newbie’ myself, I can totally empathise with a lot of your concerns above (still not quite ready to take the blog jump, but…). Cast your doubts aside though, Emma, because people love the sound of your voice. When catching up on tweets, my eyes always stop when I see @Eherrod , because I know that you will provide me with something. A useful link, a little giggle, some insightful political observation, a mental image of an endearing old couple in Starbucks, a cute Thomas quote…
Oh, and your recent blog posts are among the best I’ve read. SO looking forward to the car boot sale I’m taking the girls to in the morning, where I intend to purchase an obscene amount of LEGO.
I think we are so fortunate to be in this profession and to be on the receiving end of genuine support from such a wonderful set of people. Lap it up and blog on.
Callie x
June 5, 2010 at 20:13
Hey Callie,
Thanks for your sweet message. Did you get some LEGO and the carboot?
I totally agree with you about teaching and the support we receive. It truly is something special and gives me great encouragement and renewed enthusiasm each day.
Likewise – I see @CallieWallie1 and I just know it’s gonna be a goodun
Emma x
June 2, 2010 at 20:56
Hi Emma!
Great first blog post and I love your writing style! I don´t know about the rest… but I´ll be reading!
Vicky
June 6, 2010 at 11:09
Vicky, I’m honoured!
Thank-you for your kind comment.
Looking forward to you popping by
Emma
June 2, 2010 at 21:39
As a newbie Tweeter and a somewhat newbie blogger, it has been very timely for me to read your first blog – i have had quite a few blogs in the past, and have just started a new one using posterous as I like the email-mess of it, but i have never considered writing for an audience other than my immediate colleagues or myself. As you talk of a ‘niche’ I’m thinking that I’d like my blog to be a space to reflect on how I am using web 2.0 as a CPD tool and the development of a community of practice. I’m also trying to encourage my trainees to contribute to a class blog – something I have been more successful with ESOL students than with ESOL teacher trainees.
Good luck w ur blog and look forward to reading your thoughts and musings.
June 5, 2010 at 20:38
Hey Cathy,
I’m really pleased this post came at a good time for you. I’ve not come across Posterous before but it looks kind of interesting and I wonder if it might be a good classroom tool for writing – what do you think?
I’m really not 100% sure about the absolute need to have a niche from the outset. In the long-run, maybe yes, but I think that will come in time. However, if you have something already that will contribute to the wider pool of knowledge and discussion out there (and I think your ideas sound very worthwhile), then so much the better.
Good luck and be sure to let me know when your blog goes live and I’ll add it to the blogroll
All the best
Emma
June 3, 2010 at 05:36
Great start to what I have no doubt will turn out to be a great blog!
Yes – just do it! Have fun with it. Be yourself with it. And sure, do it for yourself.
One of the main reasons I blog, if I might confess, is not so much what I can project of myself out into the world as what an audience of readers can do (by way of comments or cross-postings on their own blogs) to help me see my own perspective from different angles. I blog to realise what I may think, and then to see how I might be able to think about it more (and differently).
So yeah, I blog to realise and then educate myself!
I’m really looking forward to visiting here regularly and getting to know you better, Emma.
Thanks for starting your blog!
Best wishes,
- Jason
June 6, 2010 at 11:12
Hey Jason,
I’m a huge fan of your blog as you might know, so to hear about your motivation is very interesting to me. You make a good point that I am going to keep in mind. The notion of discussion and our changing opinions is extremely valuable and I think a huge advantage of this kind of easily consumable media. Comments and opinions fly back and forth and our knowledge, opinions and the pool of information out there grows as a result.
Self-education: LESSON 5!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Emma
June 3, 2010 at 07:30
Hi, Emma – congratulations on your new blog! I am not a blogger myself, but always appreciate those who take the time and dedication to put ideas ‘out there’ for the rest of us to read, enjoy, and learn from. I know I benefit hugely from the blogs I read; as Jeremy says, they make me thinkg [something which doesn't really happen on a regular basis for me....] I am happy you have started this blog, and I’ll certainly follow it. I just saw a Tweet from my daughter from yesterday, which I thought reflected some of what you were saying in your post:
“#YouShouldNever think u know it all everyone has space for some new information that they didn’t know b4″
I look forward to finding space for the new information from your blog!
Maureen
June 6, 2010 at 11:16
Hi Maureen! Thank-you so much for popping by.
Me too – I get so much from reading everyone’s blogs and I 99.9% of the time left with something interesting to think about, a new idea or a challenge to my opinions.
I loved the comment your daughter posted and very relevant to my thoughts before writing this post.
This also reminds me that I need to email you regarding IH London and some kind of CELTA talk. It’s on my list for tomorrow
All the best and chat soon.
Emma
June 3, 2010 at 08:28
Hi Emma, so glad to find you in blogosphere; I love the way you put my thoughts to writing especially Lesson 1:) was just right for me!
And tailor made lesson plans according to the needs of your students – I find it absolutely cool! It reminded me of the lessons I took from Keith Harding “English for Specific Purposes” in Oxford. I’m very happy to meet you here and I will be looking for your future entries..Sebnem
June 6, 2010 at 11:21
Hello Sebnem,
Your comment touched me so much and I’m really pleased that you felt it put your own thoughts out there too. You’re of course welcome to come and comment any time if you want to add to the thoughts and discussions.
For me, teaching one to one as I do most of the time, tailor made plans has to be where it’s at. Of course there are times when something more generic is suitable but more often than not, the needs of the student are so vastly different, it’s just not appropriate.
I appreciate though that this is somewhat of a luxury situation, or maybe it comes with the teaching small classes. Once I get back into larger classes, I know I will not be so lucky. But, this is what keeps us on our toes isn’t it. Then it will be a different challenge
I look forward to welcoming you back here and hearing your thoughts and opinions.
All the best,
Emma
June 3, 2010 at 11:43
Yay for the blog! Congratulations!
June 6, 2010 at 12:23
Thank-you thank-you mum
LOL
June 3, 2010 at 11:43
Congratulations. I am sure your blog will shed light to many ELT teachers as well as learners. I will pass your details on my Facebook page.
I love your dedication in your profession.
Best of luck through your journey.
June 6, 2010 at 12:24
Thanks Emel – very kind of you to come by and post. I’ll keep you inundated with what’s coming next
Emma
June 3, 2010 at 11:44
Hi Emma,
If it’s well written and you enjoy it…go for it!
Congratulations!
Emma
June 6, 2010 at 11:22
Merci buckets Emma
Feel free to add to the comments and discussions at any time!
All the best,
Emma
June 4, 2010 at 14:01
Congratulations Emma,
Another welcome voice in the blogosphere.
Like JH said, just say it.
I had the same trepidations as you (what do I have to say, who will want to read my words…) for a whole 4 years before I decided to put fingertip to keypad. I’m glad I did. I never check my statistics – not even once – nor does it bother me if no one comments on my posts (although each and every comment makes me extremely happy). You’re so right in saying it’s not a competition.
My blog helps me think, come up with new classroom ideas and create. It also makes me take more of an interest in what I’m doing. I’d say my blog has single-postedly made me want to try out every tool out there in my classroom and then write about it.
Have fun and be yourself – the most important thing for me in a blog
Sean
June 6, 2010 at 11:27
SEAN! I’m so pleased you popped by.
You are right about being yourself and I think my internal monologue eventually lead me to that conclusion. There’s something about having taken the thought journey yourself though isn’t there, so that when you’re not sure, you can go back and remember why it is you’re doing what you’re doing. Does that make sense?
Each comment on here has made me smile – it’s such a nice experience. Replying to everyone has taken me a week! But that in itself I have found to be enjoyable and relaxing.
Thanks again for your words of experience – I have taken them on for sure
All the best,
Emma
June 6, 2010 at 00:04
Great post Emma!! Currently I am preparing an online course on Blogging and have added your blog post as a Reading task for the participants.
Looking forward to seeing this blog grow
June 6, 2010 at 11:36
Hi Jennifer and thank-you for posting your comment.
I’m terribly flattered that you feel the post worthy of being a reading task for your course participants. Please, encourage them to comment – I would be very interested to know what they think.
I’ve followed you on Twitter now and will ensure your site goes up on the blogroll as soon as I get round to finishing it off
Emma
June 13, 2010 at 09:55
Holy bajongass… this is what happens when I take a break from Twitter – you enter the sphere and I’m no. 43 to comment. Good lord! I dunno what to say that everyone else hasn’t said.
Hmm…
1. narcissism be damned. I find this “argument” abounding everywhere and find it incredibly annoying. Does anyone ask if a book author is narcissistic or a journalist? Blogging is writing. There will be narcissists and there will be those who share… all one is doing, actually, is writing for free.
2. ELT blog saturation. Yup. So what. if 5 people read a post and enjoy it, you’ve touched the lives of 5 people. That’s an absolute honour and a miracle to hold on to every single day it occurs. If 500 read a post, cool bananas, but there’s no difference between touching 5 lives and 500 lives. You say something that someone else connects with and that is, well for me anyway, mind-blowing.
3. Self promotion. Every single little thing that a person does in public – walking down a street holding a child’s hand says to others one is a caring mother, walking into a staff room in a suit, says one takes one’s profession professionally.. whatever we do we are promoting our “selves” to other “selves.” Personally, my blog, began to promote my teaching materials but along the way, pretty early in, it just became a place I wrote and actually, now spend more time writing there than materials… and weirdly enough, I don’t really mind.
4. Hmm… I’d review that and not be too arrogant about striking one’s own way – absolutely do however there is sage advice floating about and it’s worth learning from those who’ve gone before… There’s no question that my own blog’s growth is due to learning from others – it’s important to keep one’s own focus but there are many who falter and offend by accident… and many who fall flat on their face because they didn’t read any “rules” or standard best practices!
5. Massive welcome to the ‘sphere, it really is lovely to see you here and am looking forward to more posts!
Karenne
June 13, 2010 at 16:38
Hey Karenne, and thank-you for your support and leaving a comment, which as usual when you leave your stamp behind, makes me think about things.
1. I’m in total agreement with you here that “blogging is writing” – if I get anything more out of it then I see it as a bonus. It’s my opportunity to share with my peers and at the same time satisfy my own need to do something contributory, creative and academic (which I have missed after being at home for four years with a small child!).
2. YES! and that is what I find so wonderful about people leaving comments. I interpret that as someone feeling moved enough (and it’s not always in a positive way mind) to put there fingers to the keyboard and that is dialogue.
3. You are right actually and this wasn’t a point I had considered – that whatever we do, we are in fact promoting ourselves in one way or another. This makes what one writes perhaps all the more sacred: It’s there on the internet for all to read and it’s a testament to our beliefs and our integrity as people. I think what I was trying to avoid is the notion of explicitly entering into something that was all “me, me, me”. I’m uncomfortably aware however that this doesn’t sit hand in hand with having a personal domain (it feels like a personal number plate
) and even having this discussion, but I know deep down I’ve not taken this on through a need to let everyone know how important I am!
4. This is the only one of your points I disagree with (however slightly
). I’m a tad worried that you took my defiance of the blog police as arrogance. This really was the last trate I was aware of, but I can certainly appreciate how it might have come across as such. Let me just clarify that I don’t wish to throw the baby out with the bath water. I am not talking about not taking advice from people – totally on the contrary. I’m new and I will take any advice that is given me – if I don’t agree with it, I will enter into a dialogue with that person, not arrogantly believe I don’t need it! My point was more that if I read up on all the ‘rules’ to blogging that are out there on the net (and these are prevalent outside of the ELT ‘sphere more than anywhere else), I would never have got started. I would have been so preoccupied with finding my immediate ‘niche’ (which I don’t doubt will come) that it would have been another year or two before I took the step. I’ve already been paying for this domain name for two years – it was becoming ridiculous. So, my point was more one of explanation to anyone who may have thought my blog lacked substance and didn’t adhere to all the rules of blogging, rather than a claim to know it all already. Hope that clears up my point.
5. Thank you
And equally looking forward to hearing more from you and getting such comments that ask questions and make me think more about myself. This is what it’s all about!
Emma
June 14, 2010 at 10:02
Hey! This is really nice (a few of my Twitter followers have been tweeting your blog post) so I popped along to see what it was all about
Nice stuff and I wish you all the best – please don’t follow my example of getting very rusty when it comes to writing blog posts – but it’s better to write when you have something to write about… All the best! Aniya 
June 14, 2010 at 11:52
Welcome to my blog Aniya and thank-you for your comment.
Yes keeping up with the posts will be a challenge but my aim is six in the blog’s first month so we’ll see how we go
Looking forward to hearing more from you!
Emma
June 17, 2010 at 21:58
Wow! You have stimulated so many interesting responses on this posting. That’s a super achievement for someone who is just beginning her blogging adventure. Well done you!
I’d like to bookmark this post as a fab example of why one should start a blog, if that’s ok?
Take care
Janet
June 18, 2010 at 10:17
Aww thank you Janet, what a lovely response.
Yes of course – bookmark away
Emma
June 24, 2010 at 23:34
Hi Emma,
Not much to add to what people have said above – I missed tweetings of your blog!!
All I can say is what a fab addition you make to blog-world. As others have said, be yourself, be true, and the rest follows (they tell me).
Another thing is to be realistic. Effort at the beginning is key, like Phil and others have said above, but don’t set yourself deadlines. This is the one place we don’t need them!!!
All the best, blogger!
Mike
June 30, 2010 at 22:36
Oh no Mike – I just realised that yours was the only post that didn’t get a response! I won’t beat myself with sticks this time as it’s only a few days later
I really appreciate your welcome – thank you. I think you’re absolutely right about being yourself and that’s just what I figure – write about what is of interest to you and people will be interested or not.
I shall make sure I keep coming over to share the blogging love on your site.
All the best
Emma
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