I don't want to go on without you...
Why carry on? As William Burroughs said of cut-ups, it's something to do. Or as a friend said recently regarding writing, to work out what you think. Occasionally, I do some thinking 'on paper' via Musings here. Sometimes I wonder: 'Who cares what I think?' So the quagmire of doubt looms, and it's easy to fall in, only to surface when belief, or sheer stubbornness, win out.
At the start of the year I seriously contemplated stopping this thing. Looking around, I noted that many others I followed were actually doing that. OK, most were music sharing blogs, and I can understand why, considering the effort involved, they should do so. Music blogs being purely giving things, they depend to a large extent on appreciation. I work differently and don't rely on comments thanking me for sharing either unique images from books, or my wisdom (ha!). But comments are welcome, of course. They do, after all, represent a clear signal that someone is reading.
Despite having other projects on the go, I realised that this thing wasn't quite dead, yet. Rather, it wouldn't allow me to kill it. For better or worse, it lives. A few recent words of appreciation via private mail have boosted my belief that I'm doing something worthwhile.
well done for not settling for 140 character soundbites. keep at it. assume no one gives a shit. anything above that will be a bonus.
ReplyDeleteA good policy, probably!
DeleteGlad to hear (read) it. You would be missed.
ReplyDeleteI've had those moments of doubt too, and I'm only just two years in, but I also know how much I vacillate and I don't trust those moments to last too long. I'd only regret it in the morning.
Great to see Dusty btw! - some nice stuff on BBC4 last night, I thought.
Thanks, C. Yes, all bloggers have those thoughts when staring into the immense void of the internet.
DeleteIt was a great collection of clips.
This is my first comment here, and I'd like to use it to add encouragement towards the continuation of this blog - which is frequently thought-provoking and stimulating - and assure you that this won't be my last comment if continuation does continue to occur! Um, yes. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leigh - appreciation...er...appreciated.
DeleteBefore we did blogs we made small-press magazines. I don't think we did those for an 'audience' particularly, did we? Perhaps when we were much younger we deluded ourselves on that front... but really, as you say, we continue to do these things because they are a part of our creative selves. It's the need to externalise internal thoughts. Not because we crave someone appreciating them but because we fear that if we didn't those thoughts and impulses might just drive us mad.
ReplyDeleteQuite right, Alistair, although we still made them to be read, just for a much smaller audience. I believe the whole world deserves my wisdom, not just a lucky minority via a limited network - ha-ha!
DeleteI'm still reading here - keep it coming
ReplyDeletethank you for carrying on!
ReplyDeleteyour contribution is SO precious
all the best from italia
Grazie. Sono contento che si sta divertendo!
Delete