One of the signs of passing youth is the birth of a sense of fellowship with other human beings as we take our place among them. ~ Virginia Wolf
It’s half way through April, which means it’s time for me to switch themes and draw the conversation on community to a close.
Here’s a round up of some of the highlights. Thanks, everyone, for your contributions to the conversation – and for making a reality of the notion of community.
5 Good Reasons Not to Develop a Community Blog
I’m not trying to provoke a conversation about blog definitions here, really just wanting to make the point that there are times when a community blog isn’t what you’re looking for, or what you want. When there are good reasons not to.
10 Questions to Think About in Relation to Your Comment Policy
Are any of the things you’re currently doing making it harder for people to leave comments?
Start with the positives: look for ways to make it as easy as you can for people to leave comments (assuming you want them). Get rid of the things that get in the way.
Why I Talk About the Weather on Twitter
The main reason I talk about the weather is that it’s an invitation. It’s the simplest way I know to signal that to join the conversation:
You don’t need to be an expert in writing style and grammar points
You don’t need to be au fait in social media trends…
You just need to be willing to talk about the weather.
Writing with Rapport on the Web: Spider Plant Babies & Sticky Writing
What if you’re hoping your readers will stick around? Come back and read some more, learn a little, share a little maybe. Perhaps you want to generate a sense of connection, to forge a relationship, or maybe to start the process of building a community.
What kind of language do you turn to then, to make your writing sticky?
Writing Lessons from the Confident Writing Community: Group Writing Project
The most powerful lesson I learned from your contributions was this.
We all have this unquenchable desire to touch the face of the universe and say, hey, is it like that for you too? ~ Janice Cartier
That to me is what writing and community is all about… though I didn’t fully understand it until I read those words.
I am particularly grateful to those of you who joined in for the first time. I know it can be a bit daunting to get past the doubts of ‘but I’m not part of that community’ or ‘but I’m not a writer…’ but guess what? By taking part you demonstrate that you are
How Group Writing Projects Help to Build Community
Running a project gives you many of the same benefits: comments, new readers, links back to your site. It sends a signal to the blogging community that you’re interested in contributing, supporting, sharing and linking out. It offers a challenge and a stretch, and will boost your confidence as an editor.
7 Ways You Helped Me Write A Book
The sense of common endeavour and shared learning on this blog and in the wider online community gave me the realisation that I was doing something that was part of a bigger picture. It gave me confidence, and reinforced my positive intention to make a difference.
Inclusive Language: I, We and You
“We” needs to be used with care. Be sure that you are referring to an issue, an idea, an approach, a belief, an experience that is either universal or something that is shared between you and your readers.
Are You Tuning In To Positive Feedback?
Tune in to your reactions to the words someone else has used. Do those words resonate with you? Do you feel a sense of connection? See how they relate to a value, idea or approach that is important to you?
Those positive responses can give you a clue, both of what’s important to you in your writing style and content, and ways in which you are already achieving that effect with your words.
Heroes, Ripple Effects and Community
Heroes – in myth, literature, and real life – take journeys, confront dragons (ie problems) and discover the treasure of their true selves. Although they may feel very alone during the quest, at its end their reward is a sense of community; with themselves, with other people, and with the earth ~ The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By
New theme to be announced on Friday: watch this space!
A smashing little collection Joanna, really useful. And dare I say my favourite theme so far during my shortish time following Confident Writing. Nice and tangible. Yum yum.
Iain Broomes last blog post..Recommended reading for writers – March 2009
A wonderful list as beautiful and poignant as the cluster of flowers in the accompanying photo. I also like your inclusive slogan: Because our words count.
Paul Cs last blog post..High School Montessori: Perspectives
Joanna, what an excellent round-up. This theme of community had such great impact on my online and offline life. I came to a deeper appreciation of my online community and it spilled over into a deeper appreciation of friends and family. It also helped me to examine my role in community and ignited my desire to take part in a different way. Your Heroes post inspired me to buy the book, The Hero Within. I truly gain value from every theme but the past two months have been especially meaningful. Can’t wait to see what’s up next! xoxox
Karen Swims last blog post..Magic in the Mundane
Hi Joanna, I came in late to this so the roundup helps me back up and see what I missed. Your posts on commenting and on developing a community blog were very interesting and useful.
Fred H Schlegels last blog post..Physics and Ideation: Ways To Unleash Creativity
Iain that’s good to know, thanks. I went a bit up and down with it myself, but was pleased to see there were some highlights after all…
Paul thank you for that, and hello
You noticed two things that are very important to me – the slogan, and the photo, which is one I took myself. Thanks 
Karen goodness, that’s fantastic feedback, it’s so interesting to see how the things we share online spill over into our offline lives too. You know when I was compiling this list I was asking myself which post was the most significant. Beyond any doubt it was the Heroes post. Whenever I read those lines I feel shivers going down my spine. So glad you’ve got and are now reading the book.
Fred I’m glad you found it useful. I know I do blog a bit too frequently for everyone to keep up, so figured it might be a bit of a public service to do a round up
Great roundup.
I really like the bite-sized morsels of wisdom.
> What kind of language do you turn to then, to make your writing sticky?
I like that lots.
J.D. Meiers last blog post..Living Your Process
Hi JD, glad you enjoyed it – it’s quite fun looking at your own posts and trying to select the soundbite version… not always what you’d expect from what you remember of writing it…
Amongst the blogposts, I would say that group writing project is my favorite, as it raised up my confident to write and speak out my mind more bravely than ever before! Honestly, I won’t have the courage to do it, without the motivation of Joanna. Thanks again, my friend!
wilsons last blog post..Cheap Medicines Didn’t Mean Useless!
Wilson, that’s wonderful feedback, thanks so much for sharing it. It makes me feel really good to know that I’m helping you to stretch and grow in your writing like this.
Fantastic collection! Bookmarked this page and will be avidly reading all the posts again over the weekend…thanks!
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coachs last blog post..Big Dog SHOCKING Secret – Money doesn’t HAVE to be made TODAY Part 3
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Barbara, thanks for bookmarking and highlighting this to your own community