It’s also great to see that collective thought then manifesting itself in other linked posts and articles by those same readers and commenters, and in your own work – it’s a way that we can keep on learning, sharing and growing together.

Thanks for stopping by

Joanna

It sounds like we’re on a similar wavelength. I enjoyed the second piece you linked to in particular – about ways that we can improve our writing skills through blogging, how we can learn from the comments we receive, how we can step out of our shells a little (for those of us who need to…) – it was just a shame I couldn’t comment on it though!

All best wishes

Joanna

I find blogging a great communication startegy: a communication that happens not only with others but also with myself, as it stimulates my critical thinking to be sharpen and refined.
I agree 100% with all the reasons why you blog http://elgg.jiscemerge.org.uk/cristinacost/weblog/283.html

I blog because I want people to comment. Their comments work to me as a “sign” of their approval about what I write. And when they challenge my thoughts than it means that they are showing me a new perspective of the landscape I was trying to capture. And that can only be good too.
I used to be a very shy people too, and through blogging I get to improve that trait of my personality. I am able to reveal and give more of myself through writing than I am f2f. People get to know me differently. Maybe the side I sometimes don’t dare to show f2f.
I love blogging and I love commenting and get comments.
What a nice way of establishing a conversation!
Happy New Year!

Joanna

You’ve made many excellent points about the things that make comments so special–and I’d just like to second them all!

Congrats on hitting your thousandth comment milestone! (And congrats to Robert for being the lucky thousandth commenter and winner!)

Though I realize that I’ve missed the deadline for the Christmas wish list entries, I still wanted to add a few of my own thoughts, which I’ve done on your Resources for Writers: Your Writing Wish-List post.

Take care!
Jeanne

I comment a lot in a about 10 blogs so it’s easy to go back there and feel part of the conversation – it’s one of the things I enjoy most about blogging, getting used to familiar voices and smiling at what they say. For new blogs it’s good to try some of the software options like you say, including e-mail subscribing, co.mments (which I’m using now and is making a big difference) and RSS comment subscribe. I’m hoping Typepad will roll that option out to me soon so I can offer it to readers here

Thanks for stopping by, you’re welcome to rejoin the conversation anytime:-)

Joanna

I like some of the new features that let me email further comments to an email address.

@ Michele – you always make me smile! I think being friendly is probably a worth a lot more than killer content – especially when it comes to getting to know people, making connections, and smiling a lot

Joanna

Smiles,
Michele