I don't know about the rest of you, but I love reading blogs. First thing in the morning, I check the Reader app on my iPhone to see if any of my favorite bloggers have updated. I love "hearing" from them and reading about their lives. I feel invested in them, so to speak.
So when a blogger goes missing without word, or worse, leaves some cryptic message that they'll be absent while they deal with personal stuff, I get a little upset. How dare they? Here they've had me riveted to their thoughts for months and now they are leaving me to wonder and worry about what's happening with them. Why the break? What personal stuff?
It's probably not any of my business, except that they've made it my business by keeping a blog in the first place and asking me to follow it. I wonder if I am alone in thinking that more explanation is due at times.
What do you think? Do bloggers owe their readers in this way?
when ever I have taken a hiatus, I tend to tell people why to the best of my ability without getting to personal, there are just some things that don't need to be said, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteBut I know how you feel, sometimes I think, why say something if you're not gonna say why ;-).
I totally understand how you feel. Of course I want to know why they are leaving for a bit...cause I'm nosey. But if it's for personal reasons, I can understand why people will keep the reason private. I've noticed that sometimes when girls take a break, it's cause they are pregnant and don't want to tell people yet. It's been mostly in other blogs I read, non-running related. I usually guess that's why, and then a couple months later they are back with an announcement. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a tough one. I suppose it would depend on the circumstances? I for one, would never get cryptic on my readers. If there is something that cannot be shared for fear that the 'wrong people' will find out something, there is still a way to let readers know that you are at least OK and not being deported or something. LOL
ReplyDeleteThings can be said without being 'said.' I would consider it common courtesy but that's just me.
I agree, this is definitely tough. We share so much of our daily lives and our personal struggles that we can almost take it personally when people disappear - it's like a friend who decides to cut you out of their life all of a sudden. No one likes that!
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, though, I think it's important to keep in mind that we're all still strangers, and there's no way to know 100% of what someone is going through. There may be something quite serious going on that was inexpected. I know that if I knew something was going to happen and I wouldn't be blogging for a while, I'd let folks know - but I also hope that if something really serious happened, my readers would not hold it against me for making myself/my family/my friends/who or whatever was involved my top priority.
Hmm...hope that's not me you're talking about. It's only 2 weeks. I plan to post heavily again starting Dec. 27. Everything's fine - just too much going on right now. Am trying to keep up with other blogs when I can, though. And yours is great.
ReplyDeleteAs for your question, yes, it is difficult when you're invested. There's a prominent blogger out there who says "I write for me". Well, no, not entirely.
Everyone, thanks for your comments everyone. I really appreciate you taking the time to offer your opinion.
ReplyDeleteNo, Alan, I wasn't talking about you, lol. Your post about being absent made perfect sense!
I agree...it's strange when they just drop off the face of the earth unexpectedly. I'm sure the people that read my non running blog think that about me. It's kinda be ignored lately. Which reminds me...I really should get around to updating it, one of these days. :-)
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