10 Posts On The Theme of Respect
One of the things I enjoy about writing to a monthly theme is that it tends to become my reading focus too. So I find I’m reading with more of a sense of purpose, looking for patterns and connections, for resonance with the theme.
None of these 10 posts mentioned ‘respect’ as such – but to me they all demonstrate different dimensions of a respectful attitude, or caused me to think about different ways that we can show respect in the way we write, the way we operate online, and the way we live.
These 10 posts got me thinking about respect for:
Your readers’ experience when they visit your blog
Serious Blog Design Flaws by Brad Shorr at Word Sell Inc, sharing some pet peeves about blogging from a reader’s point of view
Your readers’ time
The Need for Speed by Barbara Swafford at Blogging Without a Blog, including some practical suggestions on ways to speed up your site (and test its speed)
Your own time, energy and attention when you’re reading online
Have You Unsubscribed Lately? a bloggy question from Ricardo Bueno at Ribeezie, asking what criteria you use to decide whether to continue reading
The quality of your writing
Ten Tips for Self-Editing brings you some sound practical advice from none other than Lillie Amann, writing at the new blog on editing, The Blood Red Pencil (looks like one to add to your feed reader!)
The impact of your words
Cath Lawson asks a big question: >What Is Your Responsibility As A Writer?
The importance of just the right word
–Deb at Punctuality Rules gets you thinking every Monday about grammar and correct word use. This week she opens up a can of worms with the vexed question of how to answer ‘how are you?‘ (Your answer might depend on which side of the Atlantic you find yourself…)
The truth of your own experience
Some of the early discussion here on ‘respect’ highlighted the importance of respecting your self, your story, your values and your experience as well as, or maybe over and above delivering on what your readers’ want. I’m sure I’m not alone in finding posts week in, week out from bloggers who have had the courage to share some of their personal experience, difficult and challenging as it might be.
Here’s a powerful, personal, example from Debbie Yost at 3 Weddings: Wishing For Normal
The power of words
Wendi Kelly at Life’s Little Inspirations shares the secret… the power of your secret weapon. The secret of the power of the word.
The power of your narrative: spoken out loud, proud and fierce
What happens to your words and your writing when it’s spoken, sung, performed? In This Side Up Karen Swim at Words For Hire shows us what happens when you take the lid off and tell your story in slam poetry (or is it gospel rapping?) style.
The extraordinarily ordinary and everyday
One of the blogs I most enjoy following is Seeded Earth, from photographer and poet Bo Mackison. She shares stunning photos and simple prose, with many posts featuring the wild flowers of the Midwest. It’s a blog that really encourages to open your eyes and see the wonder of the world round about you. A recent favourite of mine was this one on the grasses of the prairie in Wisconsin.
Reading with a theme in mind definitely helps me to read with a sense of purpose. Maybe that helps me to be a more respectful reader too, rather than just skimming and scanning as fast as I can.
How about you? Do you ever read with particular focus or end in mind? Does it change your reading experience? Does it add to – or distract from – your sense of respect for the material you’re reading online?
Joanna, Thanks for mentioning my post today. That post of Debbie’s is quite powerful. I had no idea what she was writing about and it was good that I read it without a focus or end in mind. The best way to receive a message is as unfiltered as possible.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Serious Blog Design Flaws
Joanna, thank you so much for sharing my post. I am tickled beyond words!
I sometimes read with a theme in my mind but it’s not always my own. This month your theme of respect has so resonated with me that I have found myself thinking of it as I read, interact, work, and write. This theme has been so powerful and obviously touched a chord within me. I have even discussed it with non-blogging friends and family members.
Joanna,
What a wonderful surprise to wake up to this morning! You are always so generous and giving. I am going to enjoy reading all of these and I am quite sure I will make new friends and have new wonderful blogs to subscribe to.
Thank you so much.
Wendi Kellys last blog post..The Power of Your Secret Weapon
Brad, my pleasure. I think part of the reason Debbie’s post works is that it is unspecific (until the end), connecting to a universal desire, on occasions, to wish things back to normal… combined with an acceptance and a love of the way that things really are. Maybe that’s part of the reason it spoke to me of ‘respect’
Karen, I’m glad I tickled you
The respect theme is very powerful isn’t it? I think I could easily write for a few months just on this topic. I’m glad it’s resonating with you too
Wendi, I’m glad it gave you a nice surprise. I was very moved by your post and it was a pleasure to share it with a different audience
Joanna
Joanna, thank you for the kind words and link to my post. It is nice to have a friend like you in the blogging community or just in general. It makes my journey a lot more bearable.
Brad, I had not thought of the “unfiltered” reading, but I agree with you 100 percent.
Debbie Yosts last blog post..Teacher Appreciation
Hi Joanna,
Respect is important, isn’t it? I find with blogging, respect comes into play more often than we could imagine. Just as our blogs are like our homes in blogosphere, our visitors are our house guests. In real life we respect them, just as we should on our blogs. I love how your list of posts address this issue – each from a different angle. I am humbled and honored to be included. Thank you, Joanna.
Thank you, Joanna, for such kind words. I do love writing about Wisconsin’s wildflowers and prairies. I try to teach respect for the natural world through example – I hope it helps, if even a little bit.
Bos last blog post..How Many Empty Chairs?
Debbie, it was my pleasure. I’m glad that these small acts of friendship make a difference to you. Me too
Barbara – like the point about the virtual home and the application of the principles of hospitality to our writing and blogging. You’ve reminded me of some earlier material on this – I’ll see if I can dig it out of the archives
Bo, I think your photos and blog are a powerful way to teach respect for the natural world. I’m so glad to have discovered your work.
Joanna
Hi Joanna – thanks for the link to my posts and also the other great resources. I’ve read some, but I’ll be checking on the rest.
Hi Cath, my pleasure. I don’t do enough linking out – I wish I could do as much as you seem to manage! – but I enjoyed compiling this set of respect-full posts
I just realized that I never acknowledged that you linked to me in this post! (Sheesh. I’ve been way to busy with my new blog. http://www.knittingscholar.com by the way.) And I agree–Debbie’s post was amazing.
–Debs last blog post..Review: Inspired Cable Knits
–Deb, no worries. A bit of linking out to you was long overdue! Your new site looks fabulous, but I can understand how it’d be taking you a bit of time to get it fully up and running. Good luck with it
[...] great set of posts that explore and unpack some of the dimensions of writing with respect. Like the first 10 I shared with you here, they don’t talk directly about respect, but get you thinking about respect [...]