Comments on: Deb Ng’s Live and Let Live Guide to Blogging

By: CeciAnn

CeciAnn — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:42:42 +0000

I’m glad you linked back to this because I am a (fairly) new subscriber and had not seen the post and comments. My blog started out as a personal diary, really, one that I actually could read myself (my handwriting is atrocious). My thought was that I would print out copies from time to time and hide them so my D.C.-born son could see his mother a little better someday, the mother brought up in rural Alabama in the 1950s-60s. And what a time that was!

Lately I’ve been conflicted about it, who really cares about this stuff after all. But after reading your blog and Dave Navarro’s remarks, something simple and important dawned on me. I care! And that’s the only thing that matters. Thanks for giving my head a little flick with your pen, so to speak, setting it to rights.
.-= CeciAnn´s last blog ..Paris Tales–Part I =-.

By: Rebecca Laffar-Smith

Rebecca Laffar-Smith — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:53:21 +0000

It really is so important to be Real, be Human, and be Yourself when you’re online. That doesn’t mean you have to reveal everything about yourself, it doesn’t mean you can’t live behind an alternative identity but it does mean that you have to present yourself in every element. Everything you say and do online is a reflection of the persona we build here, you can’t fake it (not for long anyway).

I always love your insights, Deb, and with the following you have here, there are going to be people who disagree. Unfortunately, there are people in the world who don’t understand the importance of these sorts of “live and let live” standards. It’s an online world where “freedom of speech” is often misconstrued as “freedom to be superior”. Just because you can voice your opinion doesn’t mean you are entitled to disrespect the voice and opinion of others.

Thank YOU for rising above the pettiness and ‘drama’ that can arise. Thank YOU for continuing to share with us your journey.

By: Dave Navarro

Dave Navarro — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:29:28 +0000

@Amy –
Glad you agreed – just found your blog too, and subscribed

@Devon -
You’re right – it’s absolutely possible to stand up for your beliefs while not attacking someone. It all comes down to deciding to respond with class. Not always easy.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:48:11 +0000

Amen Deb. I think the ‘live and let live’ says it all. I can think of a few people who should take Liz’s advice about the podium. And Dave, I agree.

By: violetteb

violetteb — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:30:01 +0000

Do what you love. It applies so much to blogging. It will be obvious if you don’t love what you are doing. I think you can immediately tell who is trying to just make money on the web from who REALLY loves what they are doing and is having fun doing it.

By: Amanda Nicole

Amanda Nicole — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:46:00 +0000

I’ve found the same thing through blogging as I’ve found through freelance writing and working for myself: You get out what you put in. If you put in time for a thoughtful post, your community, no matter how big (yours) or small (mine) is, people respond to it. Churning out trash will get you nothing in return.

Also, I’ve made lots of online friends through blogging, all of whom make my online experience something to look forward to every day.

Thanks for such a fabulous post, Deb.

By: devon ellington

devon ellington — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:36:49 +0000

Building on Dave’s comment about honesty and transparency, I agree — I’ve gotten criticism from some writers about discussing the difficulties in the freelance life as well as the high points. But the point of my blog, Ink in My Coffee, is that it’s a constant process. Not everything is pretty and lovely all the time, and it’s how we respond to difficulty that defines us. Also, I like to think of the blog as “morning coffee with friends and colleagues” and the blogs I reguarly read as places of mutual brainstorming and support.

I’ve met a lot of great people via the web with whom I might never have crossed paths otherwise. And many of those people I now meet in real life, and we build on the foundation started through typed words.

I think it’s important to stand up for oneself, one’s beliefs, and one’s friends, but that’s different than attacking someone just because that person disagrees.

By: Dave Navarro

Dave Navarro — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:23:21 +0000

@Deb -

It’s amazing how well transparency works – the posts I get honest without sugar coating things are the ones that get the most comments/traffic on my site as well.

As people, we want to know others are going through the same things we are.

By: Deb

Deb — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:17:34 +0000

@Dave Navarro – Absolutely. Honesty is always the best policy. And yes, when you and your community trust each other you truly built something spectacular. Thank you for your wonderful comment.

By: Jodee

Jodee — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:13:17 +0000

I’m applauding Deb and Dave right now. Bravo!

By: Dave Navarro

Dave Navarro — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:55:30 +0000

#6 – Be transparent. Community thrives where there’s trust and a safe haven to talk about how things *really* are and not just how we want other people to see us. By getting real about struggles, you invite others who are feeling the same things to connect with your community more deeply.