I Blog

What great sorts of conversation I had at the Ryze mixer. Blogging, journalism and writing were big interrelated topics at the table I shared during our "work session of strategic importance." I sat with some bloggers that I read weekly: Anita Campbell, Chris Seper, Bill Callahan and Mary Beth Matthews. I slept on our words and wanted to add more:

I blog. Anybody with a web browser can access my blogs to read what I've written. My weblogs connect me to many diverse people. I first started a business blog, which let me write about project management and business issues for my clients. I enjoyed it so much, I then started this blog about writing, speaking and thinking. It is a way to express my point-of-view for others to consume, digest, and respond to.

But I also blog for myself. Writing my ideas forces me to look at them more intensively than I would by randomly running them through my head. Blogging helps me to expose fuzzy thinking. If I can’t write my ideas down clearly, I know I haven’t thought them through. Good blogging, like good writing, is good thinking.

While blogging I often end up learning more about my chosen topic. First, the act of organizing my thoughts to explain them helps clarify them in my mind. I then gain more understanding through readers’ comments and questions. I learn both from what the reader said, and by researching more information to back up my point of view to rebut their points of view.

I consider myself a decent writer. My best writing comes when I have weeks to work on a document that I can continually revise. But, my spontaneous writing often falls short. Blogging helps me to expand my extemporaneous writing skills, and thus is helping me become a better writer.

I'm hoping some New York publisher notices one of my blogs, likes what he reads, and offers me a seven-figure multi-book deal. Then I'll get well-paid to pontificate my views on the lecture circuit. Now that would be nice.

But for now, I’ll just have to blog about it.

Posted 358 words by A.J. on May 21, 2004 12:02 AM