Thing #4

How does commenting foster a sense of community?  As a writer, there must be something amazingly affirming to know that something you've said or did sparked a reaction in the reader.  A community, online or in real life, can survive but not thrive one only voice.  Different perspectives bring vitality, energy and a new set of eyes.

When people share an experience, a hobby, an interest or whatever it can bring them together in ways that are surprising.  I am a member of a grief group where we all lost a baby at approximately the same time.  This shared tragedy was the reason we all met but we have found genuine friendships with each other even though (except for one woman) I've never met them in person.  We are a community and I would miss them terribly if our community faded.

Cool Cat's post discusses how to criticize kindly  She suggests pointing out areas agreement and then discuss the criticism politely and reasonably.  That's good life advice not just blog commenting.

Drake's Takes post discussing interacting with your readers.  His point, I think, is well taken.  Every blogger will have to decide whether to respond and then if that response will be public or private.  I think there's a lot to be said for responding publicly.  As a reader of blog I like knowing the blogger saw and responded to the points made in the comments section.

I posted on BohoWillow because she's a friend and trying to get her blog off the ground.  I posted on Adoption.com to congratulate someone on their first successful bedtime with their foster child.  It's a little thing but when she'd been working on it for weeks it actually a huge thing.  I posted on Lorriane's Thing 20 and complimented her on a great video find.  I posted on Lindsey image generator posts because I had been looking for one similar to one her post.  I posted on Susan's Thing 5 regarding a texting program from the school to parents that I was completely unfamiliar with.  I posted on Teddy's Thing 8 and commented on her Panama picture and mentioned I lived there when I was younger.  I posted on Laura's Thing 21 and complimented her great song and wedding video.