While it is still doubtful whether a journalist can be subjective or not, for a blogger it is essential and expected. When one reads a post in a blog, doesn't expect to be just informed about news but also to see the perspective of the blogger.
That's why, in the first seminar of Blind Dates about the creation of the blog, Korina and I tried to highlight the importance of subjectiveness and personal style of writing when you write a post for a blog. It was very helpful that Stefanos shared his experience as a blogger with the other participants. Surprisingly, the biggest chalenge for them is not the technical part, but to win their fear to open up and write about themselves. After the first part of the seminar, after we spoke about technical details and we referred to some basic journalistic and writing rules, we asked the participants to share some ideas about articles they want to write. And … silence.
Korina talking about how to write an article
Most of them are afraid that nobody will be interested in reading articles about the Blind. They were anxious that, because they are not journalists, they won't be able to write a good article. Being brought up in an educational system which promotes the wooden style of writing and doesn't encourage the development of a personal style, they find it difficult to express their personality or write about their interests and activities. They are afraid of the exposure. So, we tried to explain that every blog is like a window to a different world. They have to invite readers to their reality, wherever readers are blind or not. It is very interesting, for example, for a reader to learn how a blind person can use the computer or play football. After we asked each one about his life and his activities, everybody was eager to write a short article.
Learning how to attach files in an e-mail through the program Live Mail
The first e-mails with the articles has just arrived. In few days our blog will be officially open and we will welcome you in our special reality. And as the song says :
“J'en ai marre des langues de bois! Regardez moi, […] j'suis comme çaaaaaaa. Oubliez donc tous vos clichés, bienvenue dans ma réalité.”
“I'm tired of the wooden words”! Look at me, as I'm […]. Forget all your clichés, welcome to my reality”
Here’s one reader that’s very curious about what you have to say! *waves hand
You might be interested to know that for many Japanese bloggers, blogging is a form of self-expression. Just do it because it feels good to shape your own words and see it in the form of an article… I think this is a good first step 🙂
I look forward to getting to know the Blind Dates team through your blogging!
Cheers,
Tomomi in Tokyo
axax!! Thank you Tomomi! Thank you for supporting us!!
While reading Blind Dates post, I noticed some similarities between blogger’s writing and ‘Dating’…
Most of them are afraid that nobody will be interested in “reading articles about the Blind/dating them”. They were anxious that, because they are not “journalists/hot enough”, they won’t be able to “write a good article/have a good relationship”…they find it difficult to express their personality or write about their interests and activities…
.Just like dating, sometimes it is worth taking a risk. I am looking forward to read more posts from your blog. Cheers from Seoul, South Korea.
You are so right Yoo! I understand their anxieties, of course, but it does worth taking the risk… like in many cases in life! In the end, if you don’t try for something, you will never know if you would be successful or not.
Perhaps imagine that rather than broadcasting to the entire ‘world wide web’ through your blog posts, you are writing a letter to an old friend.
Because for me that’s kind of what blogging is about. It’s not about appealing to everyone, but engaging with people who are tuned into your wavelength, wherever they may be. People who are interested in your point of view. Who enjoy the way you experience the world, and the world you experience.
You don’t know who these people are yet because you need to write in order to connect with them. But if you write, they will come!
You are so right. I understand the participants because i used to feel uncomfortable to blog too. Now i share the same point of view with you. As I mentioned to the post, unfortunately in Greece the educational system plays a huge role… and in our case not a good role… I will suggest to them what you have said… is really the key phrase… like you write to your friend! thank you a lot for the support!
I’m interested, too.
And here is another reader who is more than interested in reading these blogs! I can relate to the fear of blogging and exposing yourself for all to see. It’s difficult to open ourselves to the outside world. But we all have so many stories and lessons to tell that it would be a shame to not venture out and share these with others. Will blog posts be of interest to everyone? Maybe not. But there will always be someone who will be touched or inspired what you have to say. And something tells me that this group of bloggers has a lot of valuable insight to share.
So please don’t be afraid: let us into your reality. We welcome it! You’ll see it gets easier with each blog post that’s published. We look forward to getting to know all of you.
Until next time!